post mastectomy bra help needed please

[NickleandDime]

Trying to help a family member, she is 6 weeks today from mastectomy. Due to lockdown/shielding there is a lack of the usual support/clinics etc. Not ideal but I need to try and get stuff online and get it sent to her.

She has large bosom and prior to surgery (right breast removed) she always wore a Triumph Doreen in a 40f. She needs that kind of support. Post surgery she was given a temporary soft form to wear in her normal bra but she found it shifted about and then her bra rubbed against her scar. So she stopped wearing a bra and now has a bad sweat rash under her left breast and she can't carry on like this.

I have googled and found a post mastectomy doreen here but it is polyester and she says she always buys a cotton as the sweat rash issue is an ongoing issue if not in cotton.

does anyone know if (ideally) there is such a thing as a post mastectomy cotton doreen in a 40f and if so where you can buy it
or if not,
a similar to doreen very supportive post surgery bra in cotton in a 40f.

Any advice over what type of more permanent form to buy would be greatly appreciated. They look like they are about £100 each on that website so I don't want to make a mistake if I can help it.

Appreciate this is not ideal way to do things. Macmillan nurse did measure her prior to surgery and ordered her a bra and silicone type form but denies this happened (I was there with my relative at the time) and similar issues where things that should have happened, haven't happened, and then tracks covered by claiming confusion on the part of my relative which has greatly distressed her).

I'm a long way away and trying to get something in place for her. TIA

I wear “post surgery “ bras - M&S definition!
I use a company called Nicola Jane - they might be able to help x

Thanks Doris,
M and S don't have one online in a 40f at the moment, unfortunately.
I have sent nicola Jane an enquiry as they do have some good cotton styles but don't seem to have a 40f available in cotton. thanks for the suggestions

Hi I also had a single right mastectomy. I was given my first bra for straight after surgery by my cancer nurse and then one other as well once my scar had healed and I was fitted for my prothesis.
There are a couple of options. You can go for a mastectomy or post surgery bra. M&S are ok and Nicola Jane as suggested. There are others. Or you can get little pockets sewn into non mastectomy bras. This can also be done with swimwear.

Sorry, I've just reread re a form as well. Are you in the UK? I was given what's known as a softie for straight after surgery by the NHS and they also fitted me for my prothesis. They can be quite heavy by look good under clothes. You don't want to get this until the scar has healed. You can also get knitted knockers from a charity which I really like. They are free and come in an every day range or one for swimming or at the gym. I've also got a swim and gym prothesis which again the NHS gave me.
Hope everything goes well for her.

debenhams do them but you have to put mastectomy bra in the search bar and they have them in 40f
good luck

www.hospitalbra.com/

Thanks for all the help everyone.

I have order the debenhams one, it is only 50% cotton but hopefully that is enough to at least keep her comfortable, thanks redzebra.

Shimmy, for some reason she is completely against having a front fastening bra, so the hospital bra is a no but it looks great, thanks for trying

ranoutof, she is in the UK but in an area where things have been very disrupted and so the support i think she probably would have got from the cancer nurses at another time isn't really forthcoming. I can't find a 40f in m&s at the moment but your idea about getting pockets sewn in is genius. I can buy her some new cotton doreens and send them off to get sewn. Thank you.

Have you seen this similar post this afternoon to buy post-mastectomy bras and swimsuits www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1219298-Where-to-buy-post-mastectomy-bras-and-swimsuits?msgid=-1219298#-1219298 here