What Bra To Wear After A Mastectomy
In this article, we will be providing information on what style of bra should be worn after a mastectomy. We want to help you choose the best post-surgery bra for you, regardless of whether you have had a single or double mastectomy, whether you’re having reconstruction surgery or prosthetics or not, or even if the surgery wasn’t a mastectomy but was in the upper torso area. Whatever your situation, we’re here to help.
What do you need in a post-surgery bra?
With hundreds of styles and options to choose from, post-surgery bra shopping can feel like a minefield. However, we are here to lend a helping hand and hopefully make things a little easier to understand! So, while the specific situation that requires a post-surgery bra can impact the bra requirements, for example, you won’t need one with pockets for prosthetic breasts in each cup if A) it was a single mastectomy or B) it wasn’t a mastectomy at all, there are also broader needs that apply to any type of post-surgery bra.
We have split our advice into three points below to help guide you to the perfect style for you. Remember, everyone is different, from tastes in styles, down to fit and size, so it’s worth bearing in mind that what’s best for one person might not be the ideal choice for you.
Comfort
We all know that any bra should be a comfortable fit, but this factor is especially important when it comes to post-surgery bras. Getting the right size of post-surgery bra is obviously key here, but other features can have a big impact.
Underwired and wireless post-surgery bra options are both available so whether you feel like the wire is more a hindrance than a benefit, then opt for a wireless gem. On the other hand, if you feel like wireless bras don’t provide as much support as you’d like, then look at the beautiful, wired options. You might even find that your preference changes - some women prefer a wireless bra to begin with, and then switch to underwired as their healing progresses.
Additionally, post-surgery bras are complete with soft seams to minimise irritation of the sensitive, healing skin. You may also like to experiment with different fabrics and designs to find which is best to give you the ventilation and comfort you need.
Ease of fastening
Recovering from any surgery is typically painful and can result in discomfort and stiffness, so with this in mind, it is important to think about how your chosen bra will fasten. In the early days of recovery, a front-fastening bra may be preferable, as this will reduce the amount of stretching and twisting needed to put on your bra. This might be enough to convert you to front-fastening bras full-time - they’re so convenient! But if you’d prefer to switch to a more standard back-fastening bra as you recover, there are post-surgery bras out there for you, too.
Adjustability
With any surgery, it’s likely that the affected area will remain swollen for a while. Over time, this swelling should lessen, as your healthcare team will tell you. What this means is that you may find a bra that fits perfectly in the early days of recovery and can start to feel loose as your swelling goes down.
Therefore, it can be a good idea to choose a bra that has plenty of room for adjustability. Bras that feature adjustable straps and a fastening with plenty of different hook options can help to ensure that your post-surgery bra continues to serve you well as you recover from surgery, keeping you comfortable for the longest period.
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I've suggested removing this because as Belle is online only, customers don't get the chance to try before they buy. On the FAQs page, it's implied that only unworn items can be returned. If we advise people to try before they buy it might make them prefer to shop in-store and/or try a different retailer.