what kind of bra to wear while having tissue expanders

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happilyretired
happilyretired Member Posts: 22
edited January 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

. Has anyone wore the Genie camisole with the tissue expanders. also Doc said I could sleep without a bra. anyone tried that? also i have had 2 fillls and its been 7 weeks since my bilateral mastectomy. Just wondering how much I can do activity and housework wise . no chem or radiation is needed. Hormone therapy is all. trying not to overdo with decorating for christmas. thank heavens I am retired and so his hubby. keeping everything simple this year! expanders are still llumpy and sore. I think the nurse said I was at 360cc. thinking of doing a 36c cup size. wondering how long that will take? anyone know about the nipple tatoo as I don't think I want one built. also i am a bath lover and have been afraid to try and take one not sure how I would get out of the tub!

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited December 2014

    I was told no bra needed so I did not wear any. As far as activities you can do as much as you tolerate other than really heavy lifting/ rearranging the furniture. And the number of fill depends on how much are you getting at each fill. Usually the plastic surgeon has somebody who does the tattoos at their office.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2014

    I was not instructed to wear any particular bra, or any bra at all if I didn't want to, with expanders.  I just wore the stretchy and comfortable ones - including Genie - so I would think that would be fine.  Something to note regarding tattoos - there is a difference between the ink used by medical tattoo folks and that used by regular tattoo artists - here is a link regarding that - scroll down to that question to see the info.   

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  • LauraW68
    LauraW68 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2014

    My PS wants me to wear a soft bra like the Genie bra so that's what I have now. Very soft and comfortable.

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  • happyteacher
    happyteacher Member Posts: 118
    edited December 2014

    Hello,

    It is nice to meet you :) I just had the exchange last week, and can answer a few questions from my perspective. I used a Genie bra 24/7. I really didn't want to, but found that without the support it was painful. The great thing about them is that they went from day 1 all the way through the entire process, and I am using them for now also post exchange. Overall, a very good value. I had an issue with the expander smooshing a ribcage bone though due to an anomoly in my ribcage, so perhaps you will not need to go that long. I bought the camis, but it was not enough support.

    I gained good range of motion in no time, but for the entire duration of the expanders I had to be super careful with reaching, and I wouldn't lift anything. I would swell and get very sore quickly. I teach during the day and even the simple act of writing on the board had to be extremely limited due to reaching. I would rest up longer, and when you do try light housework just do a very little the first time. Then build from there so you can gauge how you will feel. You might be surprised at how sweeping or vacuuming can cause swelling and soreness.

    Prior to the bmx, I had not planned on getting the tattoos. Now, I will absolutely get them. I realized my inital discomfort was from the simple idea of the person doing it. I got over that. It will be done relatively quickly and pain free, and given I go to a gym will be enough to be a bit more discreet about this whole process.

    Be well. HT

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited December 2014

    Genie. Regular bra, not camisole. Accommodates any shapes the TEs take on as they are filling. Still use Genie bras after Exchange. Love them!

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited December 2014

    I agree about the Genie bra. I wear one with inserts during the day and one without inserts at night. Very comfy.

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  • meow1970
    meow1970 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    How do you know what size to get when having tissue expanders? I hope to start the process of reconstruction very soon. Thanks.

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited December 2014

    meow1970, if you go to the Genie bra website there's a sizing chart. Just get close -- guess if you have to. They are very stretchy and should work from TEs through implants. Inexpensive too!

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  • meow1970
    meow1970 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    I looked at the website and I am amazed at how low price they are.

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  • happyteacher
    happyteacher Member Posts: 118
    edited December 2014

    They are easy to find. CVS, Walmart, Target... many places carry them. I just saw them the other day either in Sams or Costco even.

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited December 2014

    Be sure and take out the inserts before washing the Genie bra!

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  • happilyretired
    happilyretired Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2014

    Do the genie bras still have to be tight?  I got a large and cup wise it feels fine but wondering if the straps are tight enough.  Had my 3rd fill and she put a little more in this time.  Now they feel full on top too.  can you still fill up with fluid if the bra isn't tight enough?

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  • happyteacher
    happyteacher Member Posts: 118
    edited December 2014

    If it is holding everything in place you should be good to go :)

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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited December 2014

    Just got my first post-BMx fill. After reading this thread, I've been looking at the Genie bras. Does it need to be tight? Since surgery, I have not been able to tolerate feel of a tight bra,such as my sports ones. PS did not give me recommendations.

    Scottie

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  • happyteacher
    happyteacher Member Posts: 118
    edited December 2014

    I don't think so. When I first started wearing one, I was practically concave. By the time I was done with my fills i was a very full D or so, and that is on my big 6'2'' frame. You might find that when you first put it on, it is a bit uncomfortable... but I always found that after a while it actually did a ton to help relieve pain. Maybe try wearing one, take a percoset, and go to bed... see if it helps by morning?

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  • Gatorgrl
    Gatorgrl Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2015

    I also have found Coobie bras very comfortable ( that being a relative term while you have TEs) . A fellow Mx friend lent me some lovely tank lingerie with some light spandex which I have found very helpful to sleep in. My surgery was on 10/15/14 and it is just recently that I feel like I don't have to change the garment I am wearing a few times a day because everything gets uncomfortable after a few hours. My PS wanted me in a compression bra or sports bra for about the first 8 weeks but now says I do not have to wear one if I do not want to. I find it is more comfy to have some light support than none.

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