Mastectomy swimwear

[SparklingPinot]

39 & will be having a single mastectomy soon. Delayed reconstruction due to chemo & radiotherapy following. I cannot find any nice post mastectomy swimwear anywhere. Does anyone have any advice as to where to find ones that are perhaps designed with a younger demographic in mind? Or is there a reason I can’t get a pocket for some kind of prosthesis sewed into an existing swimsuit?

Have PM'd you.

Hi same situation here did you find anything?

@aodirjjd have PM'd you too.

I bought two swimsuits from AMOEBA after a double mastectomy and am very pleased with them.

The choice isn't that great. I just get the ones from Asda as they last well and are cheap. I also have rash vests and shorts from Boden and wear a bra with swim prothesis underneath. Think you can also sew in pockets. Ameona has a range though I am not that keen on them but products I have from there are very comfortable and good quality and range varies all the time. I do miss full choice of swimwear but have a month until delayed reconstruction.

I am quite tall /thin so normally look for something with adjustable shoulder straps or it’s pulling and prefer shorts rather than knicker shaped ones… adding a missing boob into mix seems to mean nothing bloody suits. Everything is so flowery as well! Hardly any sporty ones.

I have a single side mastectomy. I wasn't very big anyway (32b). So I just buy padded swimsuits or bikini tops. I'm on holiday now in Greece, wearing bikinis from fat face & m&s. Obviously I have to make sure they aren't low cut or cleavage revealing (as I don't have one!) I do swimming at home 3 times a week and wear a padded costume from zoggs. I never wear my prosthesis in water.

Ah thank you this is me! My old swimming costume was wearing out just before the op so I’ve chucked it and figured I’d get a new one while healing is going on so I have that to look forward to (swimming is a massive mental health boost for me). But maybe I just need to get something like I used to wear rather than specialist ones.

There is definitely a gap in the market! Not much designed for mastectomy that I like. Looking for something a bit modern or sporty. The M&S post surgery ones are the only ones that fit the bill really. I think it’s going to be a case of getting padded ones that I add a prosthesis to but no idea what a prosthesis looks like yet (my Op is Monday), I’m guessing just some kind of chicken fillet type of thing so I’m hoping it fits easily into the gaps for the pads (I’m not so great at sewing!)

Good luck with your op. I had mine two weeks ago. Still not ready to swim yet but I can see it on horizon!

I have a one piece from Amoena but have struggled to find a bikini I like. It isn't easy.

Some sports bras can work as bikini tops.

Funkita do mastectomy sports bikinis and swimsuits. They're really high quality but not cheap.

Same position here

I have had a lot more success with looking for swimsuits and bikinis that have removable pads rather than post-surgery ones, as they already have a pocket and you can tuck your breast form/prosthesis under the pad or just take the pad out. A one shoulder style works really well too (with the single shoulder over the mastectomy side). These two have both removable pads and one shoulder e.g.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1226013001.html?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2132980_ShopStyle+UK_pi_XXA19ACX3AA243&utm_content=10&utm_term=UK_Network&ranMID=43250&ranEAID=0RpXOIXA500&ranSiteID=0RpXOIXA500-4zXME5aT5CXmCBNlubpPMQ

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1224001001.html?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2132980_ShopStyle+UK_pi_XXA19ACX3AA243&utm_content=10&utm_term=UK_Network&ranMID=43250&ranEAID=0RpXOIXA500&ranSiteID=0RpXOIXA500-G8BdUjZG9jewYxq5IEAC7A

Speedo have this swimsuit with removable pads too:

https://www.speedo.com/women-s-eco-endurance-power-crossback-swimsuit-black/13513575.html

There's various swim prostheses out there (you might get one on the NHS, I think it depends on area):

https://www.amoena.com/uk-en/breast-forms/leisure-and-swim-breast-forms/aqua-wave-swim-breast-form-clear-1149/

The Boost breast form is fab too and can be worn for swimming (and good as the water runs through it):

https://wewearboost.com/product-category/shape/?gl=1cy6eseupMQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANDSsF3RpD98iIQWbmwYP7M7xJsVz7X6pM2TvF4qkzLo94aA-6mNvhoCmqgQAvDBwE

You can get a Knitted Knocker for swimming too:

https://knittedknockersuk.com/order/#faqs

... and some people just wear a shower scrunchie in the pocket.

@Maddy70 other than the recommendations here (some of which I have purchased) TU do an amazing looking post surgery textured swimsuit in pink and black which I have also just ordered

How long were you told you needed to wait to swim? I am getting conflicting messages from my treatment team

I got the all clear to go 4 weeks after surgery. They said they normally say waiting longer (six weeks) but I’m apparently healing quite well! For context I’ve got no scabs anymore it’s all scar tissue and my movement is pretty much back to normal.

I am older so wasn't so worried about style of swimsuit - bought one from M&S. Re prosthesis however I have never used my prosthesis for swimming - I just used one of those mesh shower pad things and packed the prosthesis pocket with that to make same size as remaining boob (unravelled it and cut to fit). the water runs through it fine. I sewed up the hole so it can't fall out.

I know this is too late for you but others may read. I bought swimwear from Nicola Jane ... lovely selection and good quality.