A bra post-mastectomy?

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Hi everyone. Please forgive me for what feels like a dumb question. Does one wear a bra after a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction? Right afterwards? Will I ever need to wear a bra again after healing?

I understand I would wear one with prostheses, but can you comfortably just wear no bra at all on days you don't want to wear prostheses? Thank you!

Comments

  • Luckynumber47
    Luckynumber47 Member Posts: 397
    edited March 2019

    You can do absolutely anything you want. Wear a bra if you want, skip it if you prefer. I will tell you though, for a while you’ll feel naked when you go without a bra.


  • Aussie-Cat
    Aussie-Cat Member Posts: 5,168
    edited March 2019

    Usually right after surgery, you will be put in something supportive with compression to keep your dressings on. I was put in a boob tube with dressings for 2 weeks after my surgery (changed after one week). You shouldn't need to ever wear a bra for support again, unless as you say, you want to wear prostheses (either soft ones initially or silicone ones after 6-8 weeks). A lot of women like to wear a crop top or camisole afterwards so they feel less exposed or naked or maybe to keep warmer depending on the climate.

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited March 2019

    sweetie you do what you want what makes you comfortable. msphil idc stage2 0/3 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married was making plans wgen diagnosed then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Praise God for Inspiration I am this yr 25yr Survivor.

  • DATNY
    DATNY Member Posts: 358
    edited April 2019

    Yes, I do wear padded sport bra.

  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited April 2019

    No underwire bras though. I think the logic is if you had a wire poke through into your foob you wouldn't know it. So I just wear some of those pretty little lacey bras now if I wear anything at all. And def a sports bra during exercise.

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2019

    Rah2464, I notice on your signature that you had reconstruction. Lightningblue asked whether she'd need a bra after a mastectomy without reconstruction. As others have said, it's totally up to you. It's sooo comfortable to go totally without anything. But like some others, I prefer the look of something on my chest, so I mostly wear Still You camisoles with unweighted Trulife foam forms. Or sometimes an unstructured bra with lightweight silicone forms. I'm slim and have no fat on my chest, so I actually prefer to have a little "protection" against my ribs.

    To illustrate, here's a picture of me with my unweighted forms -- totally comfortable.

    image

  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited April 2019

    Erica, you are correct I missed the no reconstruction part! And you look lovely!

  • lightningblue
    lightningblue Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2019

    Thank you all for the information. Before surgery I was kind of in shock about all of this and couldn't quite wrap my head around it! No bra ever again...?! Getting used to the idea now. I'm still in the post-surgery compression tube top, and I like the pressure of it. I think I will want some kind of bandeau bra at least for a while.

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited April 2019

    Thanks, Rah2464!

  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2019

    Well my BMX wo recon was 26 months ago. I wore bra w fake boobs no just once and I hated it. I have a little bit of budda belly but I go bra free 24/7

  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    Hi ladies,

    I am going flat, no reconstruction for me. 90% i go without wearing a bra already.. however, after my surgery, will need to put one on at certain occasions...

    Can you recommend a bra that's soft and doesn't dig in that has a pocket to slip a prostheses (knitted knocker) into it so it stays in place?

  • lightningblue
    lightningblue Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2019

    Hi Christine502, I plan to use AnaOno's pocketed bras for when I want to wear prostheses. They have exactly what you described, here is one. I actually bought this one before surgery (I like feeling prepared, haha) and can confirm it is extremely soft.

  • Beesy_The_Other_One
    Beesy_The_Other_One Member Posts: 274
    edited April 2019

    Christene,

    I finally went to a prosthetics/bra shop Friday because my insurance will provide 3 pair of prosthetics and 3 bras per year. After months of not wearing a bra because it was uncomfortable (for the most part), I told the lady I wanted something loose and comfortable. So I ended up with this bra and ordered two others that were prettier, with a little lace around the edges: Amoena Becky 44418

    I'll try to get you a link to the other bras I ordered--they also have pockets. All I had to do was have my surgeon write me a prescription.

    xo, Beesy

  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    Thanks Beesy ;)

    That looks comfortable. Hope it stays in place for you.(Let me know) .. Read on other boards Amoena seems to be the bra to get.

  • Beesy_The_Other_One
    Beesy_The_Other_One Member Posts: 274
    edited April 2019

    Christene, I was fitted Friday and I've worn it all day every day since, which I wasn't sure was possible. I haven't tried it with knitted knockers, as I was fitted with a pair of lightweight silicone Friday also. I liked these in particular because they are like a shell--not flat against the chest wall, and heavy enough to "stay down" but not too heavy. Between my dog ears (the thing that started our friendship), my incisions which are still more sensitive than I'd like (I have more feeling in that area than anyone I've ever known) and radiation, having anything pressing in on that area just wasn't working.

    xo, Beesy

  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2019

    Cathy, wearing a bra all day, proves it was worth getting.. now for the lightweight silicone... can you pm a picture and info... I might be interested in getting that as well... xo Chris

  • DenvMom
    DenvMom Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2019

    I had a double mastectomy in 2015 and I did not wear a bra until my scars were totally healed.  I wear what I call a flat bra just because I like the feel of wearing a bra.  I get these "flat bras" at Walmart they are I think considered sport bras.  I bought so many of them I have not been back to purchase more.  They come in a pack of 3 one white one grey and one black.  

    Over the past years I have taken advice from lots of web sites and one of them is to wear scarfs this "hides" my flat top.  I have lots of scarfs some for summer some for winter in many colors.  I have many ways to wear the scarfs also look up on the net how to wear scarfs.   I also wear shirts and then over blouses or sweaters to "hide" my flat chest.  I work with children 5 and up and I can tell you they never notice I am flat and if anyone will be honest with you when they notice something it is children!!!   

    I love being flat!!!  I had M cup breasts, I am over weight by 25 lbs. but my breasts were always huge so I do not miss them I hope this will be true for you also.  

  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2019

    The Amoena Natura Light is a soft and lightweight prosthetic.


  • KellyMSM
    KellyMSM Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2019

    Hello. Well I'm new to this forum. Had left breast mastectomy, no reconstruction 6 days ago. Just getting to where I can even think about such things; it was too overwhelming before surgery. I was terrified of losing my breast and have found at least for now, I don't miss it at all. Matter of fact, I wish we had talked about doing both sides or even a reduction in my right breast. None of that was ever mentioned. Seems like most posters here had bmx. So what's the first thing I look for? Haven't been out yet. I did buy a sports bra from Walmart before surgery that fits my right breast, but what do I put in for the left breast before I can get to a specialty store? Can I just use a sock? For those who choose mostly flat, I admire you. I didn't want to reconstruct until I knew for sure that's what I wanted, and I don't think I do. Like I said though, I wish they matched so I could choose to go flat. Does anyone know if they will even do it? Or would it be elective? Any thoughts, insights or suggestions are most welcome and thank you!

  • lightningblue
    lightningblue Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2019

    Hi KellyMSM, I had cancer in one breast only, and had both removed. So I can tell you yes, some surgeons will definitely do it. My surgeon wanted me to hear all of the facts first (prophylactic mastectomy on the non-cancerous breast would not increase my survival rate, etc etc) but had no issue with removing both after I had received all the information.

    I have read from other people that they have had the remaining breast removed some time after the initial mastectomy, so I would think that this is an option if you decide to do it.

  • TammyKh
    TammyKh Member Posts: 41
    edited May 2019

    I had cancer in my left breast and underwent a single mastectomy last January and waiting for implant reconstructed surgery in June. I didn't have both removed cause my breast surgeon told me that I can have my remaining breast (right breast) removed some time in my life if I want or when it has cancer and removing the non-cancerous breast would not change my survival rate, just helps for peace of mind. Another reason is I want to nurse my kids in future, so I am keeping it for now.

    I hadn't worn any bra after mastectomy. My surgeon said I could wear bra any time I feel comfortable to wear it. I started to wear wireless bra more than a month ago as I have been experiencing my unbalanced breasts due to filled tissue expander. Even sport bras are not good for me now. I am wearing Uniqlo wireless bras as they are soft and very comfortable.

  • Christene502
    Christene502 Member Posts: 115
    edited May 2019

    KellyMSM

    I have MBC -- cancer in my left and they just found out I have a nodule in my right... I told my Dr's that I want BMX, which is on Monday 5/6.

    I was worried about insurance, being they don't cover healthy removal of breasts. It all depends on how they code it. I asked my plastic surgeon if the procedure will be covered, and he told me yes...

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