Type of bras your should wear after a breast cancer surgery

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09/30/23

1. Should I wear a post-surgery bra?
You don’t need to wear a specific post-surgery bra (or ‘surgical bra’) after breast surgery such as a mastectomy or lumpectomy, unless you are advised to by your surgeon or breast care nurse. If you’re advised to wear a surgical bra you may be able to get financial assistance to pay for it.

Breast surgery, and sometimes radiotherapy, can make your chest area feel particularly sensitive, so in the first few weeks after surgery most women wear a soft bra that isn’t too restrictive. You may find a front-fastening bra easier to put on.

The type of bra you need will change in the first year after surgery. Read more about bras after breast surgery.

2. What bras should I wear in the first year after breast surgery and beyond?
In the first year after breast surgery (such as a mastectomy or lumpectomy), it’s best to wear a bra that has:

* soft seams
* a wide underband (the band that goes under the cups and round your back)
* deep front and side panels
* full cups
* cup separation (the centre of the bra between the cups should sit flat on your chest)
* fully adjustable straps
* minimal detailing
* no underwires (the wires sewn in under each cup)
It may take up to a year for the area to recover from surgery, the nerves to repair and any skin changes from radiotherapy to settle down. The type of bra you need may also change because of weight and other treatment-related changes during this time.

It’s best to avoid wearing an underwired bra while the area recovers after surgery because the underwires can be uncomfortable.

Initially after breast surgery you may have swelling. Try to find a bra that fits on the loosest hook so it can be worn looser to begin with and then gradually tightened as the swelling goes down.

Where possible, choose bras that have a high cotton content. These will be gentler on your skin while it heals and will help you stay cooler if you’re experiencing hot flushes.

Bra strap cushions can make the straps more comfortable on your shoulder and help the bra stay in place. You can buy these from lingerie shops or online.

Once the skin in the chest area has healed and settled down, which may take up to a year, you can wear less restrictive bras. However, if you’re planning to wear a breast prosthesis they should still be well-fitting and have a full cup.

Our Your guide to a well-fitting bra leaflet includes illustrations and practical tips on how to make sure your bra fits comfortably and gives proper support.

3. How can I find out my bra size after breast surgery?
Most specialist lingerie shops, and some high-street shops or department stores, have experienced bra fitters who will use a tape measure to give you your exact bra size. As your shape and size may change during and after treatment, it’s a good idea to have your bra size accurately measured before you buy any new bras.

An experienced bra fitter will often have specialist training and experience in helping women who have had or are going to have breast surgery. It might be useful to call ahead and make an appointment to ensure you can be seen by a trained fitter.

4. Where can I buy suitable bras after breast surgery?
Any bra is suitable after breast surgery providing it is well-fitting and follows the points above. You can buy mastectomy bras from specialist suppliers that are specifically designed for women who have had their breast(s) removed. Mastectomy bras are also available from many high-street shops, which can often be a cheaper option.

See our list of specialist and high-street suppliers.

5. What is a bra pocket?
A bra pocket is a fabric pocket sewn into the inside of a bra cup to keep a prosthesis in place.

If you choose to wear a breast prosthesis, a well-fitting bra with a full cup is often all that’s needed to hold your prosthesis in place. Many women find this creates a more natural appearance and is secure enough. However, some women prefer to have a bra with a pocket.

Mastectomy bras come with an optional bra pocket. If you prefer, you can adapt an ordinary bra by sewing in a piece of stretchy material loosely across the back of the bra cup to act as a pocket.

You can also buy pockets to sew in yourself. These are available to buy online from most mastectomy bra stockists. Use loose stitches when attaching the pocket as if a pocket is sewn in too tightly it can affect the bra’s shape. Another alternative is to sew in two strips of evenly spaced ribbon, from the top to the bottom of the cup.

For a small fee, some mail order companies or high-street shops may be able to sew a pocket in for you. Some NHS hospitals will put a pocket into two or three bras free of charge. Ask your breast care nurse if this is available at your hospital.

Video source: https://breastcancernow.org/in....formation-support/fa

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