What to wear right after single side mastectomy?

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My surgery for the left side mastectomy is Tuesday and I'm only about an "A" cup now so I'm wondering about two things.

1) Will I need to bring a bra to the hospital? I only wear sports bras now.

2) Many of the posts and the documentation supplied by my oncologist office suggest "supportive" bras afterwards. Since I don't need support now due to my size, why would I need it after when one breast will be completely gone?

These probably seem like dumb questions, but I really want to know.





Comments

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited January 2015


    The suggestion for supportive bras may be for those who are having lumpectomies,, not for those having mastectomies.  Just guessing here,, but since I had a single MX,,, there was no need for a supportive bra.

    I got a camisole from TLC catalog that had drain pockets on the inside. that is what I wore for a while,, it was nice to have the pocket for the drain.

    And there are no dumb questions here.

  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    I had purchased a front close bra with a pouch for a drain that I wore the day I went home and basically until the drain came out, though maybe not every day. Like you, I'm an A cup and don't need much. I have been trying out camisoles with shelf bras, and they've been ok, especially without the drain. After a while, anything seems to bother the side with the MX (elastic/pressure on the area, that is).

  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 381
    edited January 2015

    I bought a cami through my insurance but when I woke up from surgery, I had on a front zip bra. Once I was out int the public, I wore the surgical bra or a regular bra with some fiber fill to make both sides match up.

  • MEG2
    MEG2 Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2015

    Hi ~ I had a single mastectomy in November of 2013. I went to a local specialty store that caters to women with BC, they have quite a few items that can help you transition from surgery to bra. I purchased a couple of cotton tanks that had what I would call pockets across the chest, they came with two fabric "breasts" that could be filled with a soft cotton fabric to create a boob; this material was included with the tank and you add enough to create a breast that is the right shape and size for you and then it velcros into the pockets. In my case I only needed to use one of the foobs (fake + boob = foob) and it was quite comfortable. The tank also had a pocket on the inside to hold your surgery drains as well so it comes in quite handy. Insurance will pay for one; they aren't perfect but work for around the house or a trip to the Doc post surgery. Once I was able to wear a soft bra (no underwire allowed by my BS and PS) I purchased a mastectomy/prosthetic form that was very real looking and feeling to insert into my bra. Hopefully you have a similar type shop locally to purchase a similar item, they also carry bras where you can insert your prosthetic as well., also covered by insurance. Otherwise, these items can be found on-line as well. You may be able to make a sport bra work for you as long as it's not too tight and you can find something to "stuff" the bra to give you a more balanced appearance. Every surgeon is different on what they recommend, I suspect when you have your pre-surgery appointment they may give you some advice/options. You will get through. Best to you

  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 479
    edited January 2015

    I'm surprised people wear bras right after surgery. I didn't wear a bra in the hospital and for months after surgery. You will have drains right afterwards, and the surgery area needs to heal. I couldn't tolerate wearing anything tight fitting at all. In fact, I still hate to wear a bra, one year later! I'm an A cup too and don't see why you would need a "supportive" bra. Check out the thread on this site entitled "all things bras & prosthesis", invaluable info on there about all kinds of bras and "foobs" (fake boobs). I don't know how to add the link.

    (And as Glennie says...there are no dumb questions !!)



  • westy93
    westy93 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015

    Hi there, I hope you don't mine me posting on here, I wanted to get your advice. My mum recently had a mastectomy and is struggling to find any good bras that she can wear that is comfortable and that does not irritate her scars. She is only 38 so still wants to have feminine looking bras, but can only seem to come across rather 'frumpy' bras as she calls them? Do you have any advice? Thanks

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited January 2015

    westy:   please look over at the thread called All things Bras and Prostethics.   There is wonderful advice over there.  Our fashion goddess  ARIOM will help you out.  I call her the goddess of all things bras and foobs!!  She is wonderful shopper and knows how to find deals too!!

  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited January 2015

    I was told to not wear a bra for at least 8 weeks, but every doctor and mastectomy is different. I just wore baggy shirts.

    You can buy thin Barely There bras at most stores, and you can wear a fiberfilled form with these. TLC would see a fiber filled form, as well as Knitted knockers. You can try this when the doctor says you can, and see how it all feels.

    Westy93 yes, have your Mom look at "all things bra and prosthesis", there are many sexy sorts of bras that can be worn with foam forms...when silicon forms are worn, depending on size, you could find some nice ones. The bigger the form, the harder it seems to be (because the silicon forms are heavy).

    You are a great daughter for helping Mom out! Ok, now post in the other group I mentioned.

  • TNNurse
    TNNurse Member Posts: 58
    edited January 2015

    I had a single mastectomy in 2012....then chemo and radiation.  My surgeon did not recommend immediate reconstruction because of the radiation.  I had talked with friends who had done that and they regretted it, there were lots of problems.  So I have dithered since on what to do.  I felt lopsided that remaining breast was a DD.  One option which was to used belly tissue seemed too much and more scars in a new place on my body.  I am 65 and happily married and have great support.  When that surgery was described as 10-12 hrs with 3 days in ICU, I knew it was more than I wanted to do for appearance.

    So Monday I had the remaining breast reduced by more than half.  I had a prosthesis for the doc to match.  He also flattened out a couple of places which were just lose skin from the original surgery.   I saw it today.  It is strange but I knew however it turned out, this was an ending to this part of my breast cancer.  I still have three years of Arimidex to go but hope to have no need for surgery. Of course, the lymphedema in my right arm is still there.

    I thought I would share this because I think it helps others to learn stories of how others have coped.   There is no one answer for this treatment.  There is just doing what you think is best for you.

  • RG59
    RG59 Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2017

    I had a left mastectomy recently, reconstruction in process, and was in desperate need of a front closure bra with good support for my remaining 40D breast, The first 10 different stretchy bras I tried were terrible--no support, saggy, not enough coverage, etc. Then I tried the RxBra, size L/XL.. BLISS! Lots of support but not snug, good coverage, front closure, COMFORTABLE, and a nice 3 inch band underneath. I wish I could go braless, but it is just not an option! Even the post-op camisole was pretty useless for walking around b/c it gave my remaining breast no support. As soon as the drain was out I started looking for a comfy supportive bra and the RXBra is amazing.

  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2017

    Hi All,

    I just had a left side mastectomy on Monday, so 5 days out. My remaining breast is 36dd, and no bra is making me crazy! I just got two Coobies in the mail, and I have one on right now, but I am worried that my drain is going to be compromised, as it is under the band. I like that it protects the point of entry, but worry about the tubing. The band doesnt seem super tight, but I don't know. My post surgery instructions say to wear a bra whenever I want as long as it feels comfortable. No other instructions-not helpful

    Thoughts?

  • Room747
    Room747 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2017

    I was a 38A before and had direct implants after a double mastectomy, however I lost one due to an infection. My implant is larger than my natural breast. I use the thin cup that comes in sport bras or exercise shirts and behind it I place a bit of gauze and then from the hospital a abdominal pad - basically similar to a wide panty liner. The panty liner goes against my skin.

    In six months I can begin to reconstruct. I have two children one of which is a girl so I wear my homemade boob 24/7. They only know that mommy had breast cancer and had a surgery then a problem.

    Best of luck.


  • maggie1952
    maggie1952 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2017

    I'm going in for a mastectomy on left side. I purchased 2 camisoles with drain pockets. I was told they will put one on me in the OR before waking up. What would they put on me if this doesn’t work

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