Bras post lumpsectomy

Hi Wench5312,You will most likely come home from your surgery wearing a surgical bra. When I woke up from my surgery, I was in one and they gave me an extra one as well. It was not pretty by any means, but it closed in the front, was soft, and provided support through compression. I think I was given instructions to keep it on for 48 hours, at which time I could remove it to shower, but then was supposed to put it (or another soft yet supportive bra) back on. I also had a thick wad of cotton or gauze tucked in the bra over the incision to provide extra pressure to help keep swelling down which I was told to keep in place during those first 48 hours.

Depending on where your incision is, you may find that an underwire bra will be too painful when you return to work or other activities outside of your home, and if you have radiation down the road, you probably won't want one then either. I would not call myself a full figure gal, but I also have always hated wireless bras and dreaded the thought of wearing one out of the house. I just need a little more lift than what the wireless bras give.

When I was recovering from surgery and still had a painful incision, I wore very soft sleeping bras. They really helped me at night to have a little support while sleeping but to still feel comfortable. The support was more in the form of gentle compression rather than support under the breast, but it did keep things from flopping around in my sleep. The brand I purchased was Ambrielle. I actually still wear one most nights.

For work and other "everyday wear," the best bra that I could find was the Warners "Easy Does It Wire Free No bulge" bra. It has adjustable straps, a soft slightly molded cup (but no wire) and a higher back and sides which give a nice smooth appearance to the back and underarm area. It is very comfortable and I am still wearing mine as I still have some residual swelling and pain from radiation. Granted it does not provide the lift of an underwire, but it looks okay under most of my tops. It can be a little tricky under a sleeveless top, however, because the sides are higher. I actually never realized how uncomfortable my wireless bras were until I started wearing this one. I still wear an underwire sometimes, if I am going out and am wearing a top that just requires that extra support, but these Warner bras have become my new everyday bra. The sizing runs as S, M, L, XL, etc., rather than 34-B, 36-C, etc., and I did find that after several washings they have stretched out a bit and are not quite as supportive as they were at first, so when I replace them, I may go down one size.

Good luck finding one, and good luck with your upcoming surgery!

I am three months out from lumpectomy and two weeks out from radiation. I have not started wearing underwires again yet, though I think I'd be fine. I'm waiting for the all clear from the surgeon, whom I'll see in a couple of months. I really think it would be fine, but I want to know for sure before I go out and spend a fortune on new bras. I had a reduction of the healthy breast to match the lumpectomy side, so I have a considerably smaller cup size now.

I came home with a surgical bra as well. Hideous as hell but the most comfortable at the time. Then I got another post surgery bra online, that was far less hospital-y and even more comfortable later. I stlil have that one actually, and wear it from time to time. I got two cotton front close-front bras for radiation since it was in the dead of summer and kept me cooler/less sweaty for the most part. Now I'm in some really cute bralettes that I cannot believe I can wear having been a D cup before! But between the reduction and the lift, my girls are perky like I was 25 again. Yay!