Is there a way to avoid "The Iron Bra"?

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WC3
WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
edited August 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi:

I keep hearing about this "iron bra" sensation that some people seem to get after surgery, and I was wondering if it only occurs with certain types of reconstruction or mastectomies in general and if there are ways to avoid or minimize the chance of it occuring.

I am likely going to have a double mastectomy soon and have not yet decided on which, if any reconstruction I will be doing. I just know it won't be TRAM flap and that I do not want to feel like I am wearing a bra when I am not.

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  • Ashweb901
    Ashweb901 Member Posts: 67
    edited August 2018

    I haven’t heard the term “iron bra,” because I’m super new - Dx July 3, BMx with tissue expanders (no flap) a week ago, but I can grasp the concept....I have that sensation somewhat, but I think one of the major reasons my range of motion and ease of (within reason) chest opening is because i did yoga with lots and lots of chest opening poses and stretches for months prior to my surgery. So the muscles were more limber to begin with (and my expanders are on top of the muscle, not beneath).

    I also attribute my progress to the fact that I followed resting instructions strictly and did my arm exercises, ate extra protein, etc.

    I’ll bet when I get fills I might have more “iron bra” sensation.... :-) But for now my drains bother me most, with underarm incisions a close second.

    Good luck with your surgery! Overall i would say everything goes better when you follow instructions and not try to cut corners or get too confident that you can do more just because you can do “some.” Some is enough!

    Ashley

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited August 2018

    most women I’ve seen comment who have iron bra syndrome are the ones with implants and occasionally ones with no recon. The ones with implants usually go flat or have DIEP or SGAP recon and get relief. If you haven’t watched this video series, go ahead and do so. It tells you everything you don’t hear about in the dr office. There are 2 parts. There will be a link to part 2 at the end of part 1.

    https://www.breastcenter.com/2018/05/01/i-wish-id-known-dr-ordonye-speaks-to-ypo-about-modern-breast-cancer-care/


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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited August 2018

    Lula73:

    Thanks for the link.

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited August 2018

    For me, it improved with fills when I had the expanders. And I do not have it at all with the implants

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited August 2018

    The sensation is typically due to expanders below the muscle, not above.

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited August 2018

    I had the sensation and I was over muscle, pre pectoral. It eased considerably though with fills, so it was only an issue for me for a few weeks.

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