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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2016

    seed - in the larger bra size the cup may be wider but not necessarily deeper. Some have issues with going to a wider cup it is not being totally filled up by the implant so they get some wrinkling vertically in the cup, but I have not had that happen. It is worth a try to find a bra that fits you well, but keep in mind you may still have some swelling that will dissipate.

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    seedsally glad all is well with you and your exchange ! I'm almost 4 weeks out and yes they did feel kinda tight at first not like TE but a little tight. My PS they will soften. My husband says they already have a little lol☺️ I have slight rippling around edges on my breast bone but I'm not to worried and don't think it warrants FG my husband and I are only see so it doesn't really matter to me.

    Where did you get the online bra sizing guide? I don't have Nordstrom and not sure I want VS. I'd love to end up not wearing a bra every now and again but if I find right fit will wear one for now after the 6 weeks are up.

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  • Seedsally
    Seedsally Member Posts: 260
    edited November 2016

    Yes SpecialK I had thought about the swelling. I have one bra underwire type Natori that fits well I may order another one like it to get me through the first 6 weeks and then I should have an idea of whether it continues to fit well or not. If the swelling makes a difference when it fades completely the other bras may fit better. One is a wacoal and one is a freya (not sure of the spelling) and I think the other is a Chantelle.

    I really appreciate the posts from you guys. It really helps.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    Sally - I too had always worn an underwire & I decided to keep wearing something but I moved to a 'bralette'. It gave me the security of something there w/o the underwire or even the fitted cups. For so many years I could hardly wait to get home and tear off my bra - no matter how well they fit. Most of my well endowed friends feel the same way - breast cancer or not. I was happy to go smaller and would have been pleased with even smaller. That's another issue that used to have an active thread which has tapered off - 'ready to go smaller'.

    LADY take a look at some of the bra company links on the bra thread link I sent earlier. If I remember correctly there's info about on line measurements. When you can get somewhere, do have your measurements taken in person by a fitter who is familiar with breast cancer & reconstruction. It's realty a special nitch and I don't think Victoria's Secret salespeople offer that. Nordstroms is often mentioned because most stores have at least one fitter trained about BC. You can always go to a pricey medical supply place that sells mastectomy bras to get measured & still buy on line.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2016

    I had my EX pre op with my PCP yesterday and she said the two weeks till surgery is plenty of time to get over my cold. (I figured, but you never know how someone will react.) I'm less congested today, so optimistic I'm on the upswing. I'm so grateful I have BCO to express myself and receive support. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    thanks minustwo!

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  • Lkscolo
    Lkscolo Member Posts: 44
    edited November 2016

    Just my two cents on bra fittings- Lord knows I have ordered and bought about 25 bras and returned most of them. It is a lengthy process for sure. But don't waste your time going to VS for a fitting. You can certainly shop there but when I went and asked for a fitting the girl obviously had zero experience with reconstruction and measured me wrong. I was busting out of the bras she brought me and then when I asked about larger sizes the straps were way too big and not adjustable small enough for my shoulders so I just gave up. Soma does bra fittings too but again, I am not sure they are properly trained for recon bras. Nordstrom is the way to go. Just make sure you ask for the employee with the experience and book a specific appt with her. I haven't done that yet but after the holidays I will!

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    I don't have a Nordstrom anywhere close... anyone go by the sizing chart on herroom and find it accurate

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  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 333
    edited November 2016

    The "Olga" bra fit really well for me. At TJMaxx or Marshals. Also, the mastectomy boutique is the best for fittings. I'm lucky to have K&J's mastectomy boutique near me;)

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    Lady - do you have a Soma close by? There were some good reports in the Bra thread about Soma, but you should probably call to see if they have a trained fitter.

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  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 83
    edited November 2016

    grandma3X - Hope you are liking your new DD's!

    Keiki - Glad you connected with Whippetmom & SpecialK. They give excellent advice!

    LADYnKY - I started sleeping on my side at 8 wks. post EX w/o problems but I do wear a sports bra 24/7. I hope you get back to your normal sleeping position soon!

    Seedsally - I noticed the skin around my implants softening up at week 7 & even better now at week 10. More natural looking.

    Robin & Wildtulip - Thanks for the Happy Thanksgiving wishes!

    My best wishes to all of you lovely ladies for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I am blessed to be a part of this sisterhood!

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    Minustwo - yes I have a soma close by I will give them a call. Do I ask if they're trained in fitting after reconstruction?

    Mrsb88 thank you! Great to kno that I may indeed get to sleep someway other than my back !?! Lo

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited November 2016

    To all you wonderful ladies, have a very Happy Thanksgiving! And you will be able to sleep on your side again. I am 20 m0nths post EX. I can even lay on my tummy for short periods of time.

    Blessings, Robin


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  • kingster
    kingster Member Posts: 333
    edited November 2016

    Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    Yay!!! Thank you Robin !!!

    Bless us all survivor sisters !!!! Happy thanksgiving !!!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    LADY - sorry I didn't go there since I have a Nordstroms in town. There were lots of posts on the bra thread at one time since one of the ladies worked at SOMA but I can't remember. I'd start by asking for a surgical or reconstruction fitter & ask if you can make an appointment with the most experienced fitter. I don't know if it's true but their web site says they have post surgical & mastectomy bras & says this:

    'Did you know that every Soma boutique has a Bra Fit Expert specially trained to fit women before and after breast surgery? She will listen to your specific needs, be discreet and show you bras that will help you feel like your beautiful self again.'

    There are several post surgery individual stores in my town - like where the sell prostheses. Look for one of those to get measured. Also I called and got a Jodee catalog after my surgery.

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    wow minus! Thank you for your help!!! I was looking on Macy's site and some of those are 70.00!?! Ouch!? Hopefully I find cheaper than that

    I'll try soma

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2016

    Lady - it's not likely you'll find a cheap bra. But once you finally find one that fits really well & is comfortable when you wear it over a period of several weeks, you can start looking for sales & coupons for that style. For a long time I wore only sports bras from WalMart or Target all the time. Now I wear a compression bra because of lymphadema. So much for pretty bras....sigh.

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    I wear a sports bra that hooks in the front from Walmart lol I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and pay $$ for st least one good bra. I think I'll like to go bra less sometimes though lo

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited November 2016

    I love the Genie bra, and it's cheap.

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    I'm sorry I have not responded here - Thank you all for your well wishes! For some reason my favorites setting were changed and I have not been getting notices of new postings on this thread. I just happened to look today!

    LadyNKY - I'm doing well. Yesterday was 4 weeks for me -I am also looking forward to sleeping on my side again! I went to a local department store today and found a Maidenform bra that fit well, on sale from $42 down to $14.99. It was a 34C, but snug enough when I hooked it on the tightest setting. I made sure that the wire fit just to the outside of the implants.

    SeedSally - it's good to hear that you are doing well after surgery and that the PS did not have to do too much pocket work.

    I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for this year and BCO is near the top of the list! Much love to all of you

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    grandma3x did you get fitted for your new bra or did you wing it and fit yourself?

    Glad you are doing well as I am!

    Can't wait to sleep normalish again !! Lol

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    LadyNKY - I winged it this time. I read through the bras 101 thread, and used that as a guide. To be honest, I'm not sure if the person at Nordstrom really knew what she was doing. I told her that I was 29.5" around my rib cage so she brought me size 30 bras. Then after I got home, I was reading about sizing and most web sites say to add 4-5 to the rib cage measurements to get your bra size. its almost impossible to find anything lower than a 34 in the small town where I live anyway. I did go online and bought a Bali 3488 bra (no underwire) that others on the Bras101 thread recommend. We will see how that fits. I really don't want to spend a lot on bras until I'm sure things have settled, but the $14.99 sale was too good to pass up.
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  • OrcaPorkka
    OrcaPorkka Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2016

    Hi all! I am a week and 2 days post exchange and things are going pretty well. I am still draining 60-70cc per day, so I am not sure when I will drop low enough to get my drains out. They are more annoying than during my BMX because the compression bra I am required to wear all the time is pressing the tubing into my side and has caused some raw areas.

    The good news is that my breasts look great! The swelling is going down and I think I am going to be really happy with them. I am so grateful for my careful PS.


    Hope all of you are having a grea Thanksgiving weekend

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  • LADYnKY
    LADYnKY Member Posts: 58
    edited November 2016

    thanks grandma!!! I will look on the thread for sure!!

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/753120?page=1

    here's a link to the Bras 101 thread

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  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 83
    edited November 2016

    OrcaPorkka - I had the drains in for 3 wks. & folded some sterile gauze pads up & placed them at the tubing sites to cushion the tender areas. Hope this helps. Glad to hear you are loving your new implants and are doing well!

    Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving weekend too!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2016

    Orca, That's great you are happy with your results. Congrats!

    Eight more days until my EX. Planning to keep myself busy this week with making meals for my freezer and getting some holiday shopping done. Last night I couldn't help but think, I'm getting my boobs for Christmas! ;)


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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited November 2016

    I have a knot of tissue at the end of one incision. I read somewhere about using massage to break up scar tissue. Does anyone know how to do this?

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  • robinblessed54
    robinblessed54 Member Posts: 578
    edited November 2016

    I also had luck with the Fruit of the Loom front closure bra from Walmart! Did the trick for me. My PS does not want his patients to wear underwire.

    I love the VS pink bralettes. They are comfortable.


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