swimsuit irritation of old surgery lines

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SuzanneP
SuzanneP Member Posts: 21
edited July 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all,

I had a BMX eight years ago, with no nipple reconstruction or tattoos. Implants went under the pectoral muscles. 

About a year and a half ago, I started swimming regularly.  I'm finally getting to be somewhat good at it, and my distance and speed is increasing.

However, the motion is causing my swimsuits to rub against the "seam" or incision line in both breasts.  They become quite inflamed, and I'm worried that they'll start to bleed one day.  (The irritation subsides after swimming, and I keep up with my doc appointments so I'm pretty sure this is not a recurrance or anything.)  I've tried a couple of different suits.  Any suggestions?

Thank you!

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2018

    good for you! Swimming is great. Where are the incisions? In the breast fold or on the breast? Is your suit one with a built in shelf bra? Maybe that’s causing the issue. Fully lined suit without seams in the breast area might help. Is this a new issue? New suit? Or maybe old suit that needs replacing- they do get stretched out


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  • SuzanneP
    SuzanneP Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    Thanks for your reply!  The incisions are lines across where the nipples used to be.  I've tried a few different suits and it happens on all of them - they are lined, but also have a little shelf area (not really a built in bra per se) in front of the lining.  The shelf part doesn't have any seams across the incision area.  

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2018

    humm. Wish i had a solution for you. When do you see your doctor again? I’d bring it up to see if anyone in the office has a solution.

    I did just think of something to try. BodyGluide is the brand name but it’s something runners use in chaf spots (between thighs, arm/trunk etc). Buy a stick and try that. It looks like a stick of deodorant. Any decent running store will know what you’re asking for and 25% of the kids working at Dick’s will know

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  • SuzanneP
    SuzanneP Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    Actually, I went back and closely looked at my swimsuits, and they have seams (one has them on the outermost layer of the suit, one in the actual shelf bra section) that crosses over the edges of the incision lines.  I think you were right with your first response.  Thanks for your help!  I'm going to try and find a different type of suit. 

    If anyone can recommend a swimsuit that is fully lined, good for rigorous lap swimming, but somewhat modest - the backs on some of these suits, really?? - I'd appreciate your recommendations.  I presently use variations of this one from Land's End and this one from LL Bean.  

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  • Sara536
    Sara536 Member Posts: 7,032
    edited July 2018

    What about trying some stick-on silicone sheeting cut to fit over the problem areas, or maybe stick-on forms that are sold in different thicknesses meant to augment your breasts. That way, the rubbing would be between your suit and the forms (kinda like putting a band-aid on your heel to prevent blisters from offending shoes).

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  • SuzanneP
    SuzanneP Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    Thank you!  I'm a bit worried about them coming off in the pool, but may give them try if a different suit doesn't work.

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  • Sara536
    Sara536 Member Posts: 7,032
    edited July 2018

    Maybe if you figure out where they need to be, you could sew them onto the suit with a couple of stitches. I’m interested because I’ve been considering BMX for peace of mind but I see it could come with a whole new set of problems.I hope you find a solution.

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  • SuzanneP
    SuzanneP Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2018

    Thank you.  I wish you luck with your decision.  Every case is different, but I don't have any regrets about my BMX.

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