what did you do until you got fitted?

Kerry,

Because of an infection, I pretty much just wore oversized shirts and smocks for the first three weeks---no bra allowed.  After the go-ahead from my surgeon, I got a leasure bra from Jodee (I think), and used the little puffy thing that came with it. 

kerry32,

It all depends on what you can get into, and what you can get away with.

I still have some puffiness above the incision under my arm, where 3 nodes were removed at my mast/SNB 6 wks ago.  Even a broad-banded bra like a sports bra puts pressure in the wrong place, so I haven't been wearing a bra except for a couple of false starts.

I'm retired and can spend most of my time lounging around in loose-fitting T shirts or soft button-front shirts.  I like the layered look anyway, and as Barbara says, it works well when you want to camouflage things.  Patterns in the first layer work well to cover unevenness.

Fortunately, I'm small-breasted anyway, so hiding one flat side and one drooping 34B/36A under loose-fitting clothing is pretty easy to do.  I'd like to graduate to something more formal, but right now I'm OK with the status quo.

otter 

Hi,

The fitter said to wait five months after my bilat.  I haven't been wearing anything at home and with sweaters and such its not too noticeable. At work, I've been wearing strapless push up bras without anything else.  I usually wear loose fitting clothes and it gives me just enough shape to not feel too strange.  Also, no pressure on my scars.  I didn't really like the post surgical forms because they felt too fake, and I'm starting to wonder if I'll feel the same way about my prosthetic if/when I get it.  I think I'll probably just get to the point at work where I don't care and don't wear anything.

Hello ladies,

I had my mastectomy almost 6 years ago.  At the store where they sell prosthesis--they have a "Softie Bra".  Little was known about it then, and sounds like it is not being talked about---It can be pulled up just like you put on panties so you are not reaching up--it has soft material in it so it looks very nice under your clothes--I wore it home from the hospital after my 2nd surgery it did not bother my bandages.   It made me feel so much better leaving that hospital and I do not understand why the DRs or the Nurses do not tell the ladies about these Bras. It cost 80.00 per Bra then, and our insurance paid for it.  I wore them till I was able to be fitted for a prosthesis. 

I hope for all who has to go through this will ask someone where you are getting fitted for this "Softie Bra".

Everyone hang in here.

P.S.  I did not see the post from Barbara til after I had written this--that is what I was trying to tell about.  Thanks Barbara.

Linda C

CAKID,

I was told the same thing and got fitted after 4 weeks. In retrospect, that was a little early and I probably should have waited 6 weeks. But there's no reason, since you've healed well, to wait longer than the 4-6 weeks. Just be aware that you may find the silicone prosthesis a bit uncomfortable at first when you wear it for long periods of time. Hopefully, you'll be one who never has any problems, but for others full healing takes a while, up to 6 months.

Hello I also just wore loose fitting blouses, and then I got the Jodee bra also, I love those bras they sell I still wear my favorite bras from there, with the lace tops. God Bless msphil

I'm upset.  I gathered the courage to get fitted, did it and ordered the 'part' and the right kind of bra to wear it in.  the nice lady said it'll be here in about a week. NOT. It's been three weeks and it's still not in (backorder) and I realllllllly wanted it before we left for a short beach vacation with family. now I'm gonna be lopsided when I wanted to look good and I just want to cry cause I didn't want any of it to start with and now I have to look as deformed as I feel.

Sorry to vent. it's just really frustrating - I've resisted and been in denial about how I look. I didn't EVER want to do any of this, but gathered the strength and accepted - and now I won't have it for the only time I've really cared about how I look.

Now, I don't even know if I want it at all. Might as well face up.