What is best each following manufacturers advice for bra sizing or use bra intervention method?

[truetrunk]

Does anyone have any experience of which is most successful regarding finding bras that fit?

The reason I ask is that I was wearing a 36DD. I measure 34 under my bust and 40 over largest part of my bust with bra on. I have recently have a mastectomy so was refitted and was given a 38E. Both bras appear to fit with a prosthesis in. I checked the manufacturer's guide for my new bra and the size is correct according to them. My old bra size is also correct according to that manufacturer. The only difference in appearance is that in the new bra my bust is lower and with more of a gap between.

The thing is I want to know because when ordering prostheses they refer to bra sizes.

Your measurement suggests 34E but you wouldn't normally measure with a bra on. 36DD is a sister size of 34E so cup volume would be the same. If a 36 fits then I wouldn't use a 38 back as you don't get the proper support as the back will be looser.

Thanks, demented. That was my thoughts. It is annoying that all manufacturers seem to have different methodology regarding fitting, though. I seem to get a different size with each manufacturer. Measuring half of me without a bra on is extremely difficult so that is why I chose a bra on method.

The boob or bust calculator is pretty accurate. Try measuring with that.

Difficult with a prosthesis on one side, Kirsten.

I realised that after I wrote it, apologies. My MIL had a double mastectomy and reconstruction and it was a long time before she felt bra’s fit properly because the ‘hang’ isn’t the time. Softer bras seen to be more forgiving. Does your prosthesis feel the same size as your other breast to go on? I’d try the boob or bust calculator anyway and order a few around that size to try, you might find different cuts work better in different sizes. Good luck.

I mean try and get an approximation of the around the bust measurement. Sorry I’m royally arsing this up.

Thanks, Kirsten. Thing is if I lean forward the prosthesis just falls away from my chest wall. It looks about the same size as my other breast, I think. Tbh the bras I have look ok and are wearable. It is just frustrating that different brands require give wildly different results according to their measuring guides. They are mainly mail order. This is one for example:

www.silima.co.uk/useful-information/

Different results again from this:

www.amoena.com/uk-en/about-us/lingerie-and-swimwear-measuring-guide/

I don't know if either of the brand's bras will fit if I don't use that brand's particular sizing guide.

If I don't order from a mastectomy wear brand I have to sew pockets in to hold a prosthesis myself. Which I can do but prefer not to have to.

I would not add any inches to the under bust measurement even if the website tells you to, as you end up with a bra too big in the back and too small in the cup. The support should come from the under bust not the straps

demented, when you buy brands do you ignore their sizing guide, then? I don't get it. I would be a 38E and a 34C according to the two different sizing guides I linked to. These aren't even 'sister sizes'. So I don't understand how there can be any consistency, really.

Even m&s tell you to add extra inches but you can buy bras that fit when using the method that doesn't add extra. So Yes, I would ignore their fit guide

Thanks, demented.

I ignore individual retailers sizing advice for bras. I do the boob or bust measurement and buy that size.

If the prosthesis means you can't bend and measure still use the boob or bust calculator, just measure over the fullest part standing upright with bra and prosthesis on.

I have quite different sized boobs and was recommended by the boob or bust FB page (similar to bra intervention) to measure from spine to middle of my boobs on each side for the over bust measurement and the hanging down measurement. and then double it to work out a cup size for each side. That might work for you on one side?

Thanks, Swimming and Moggle. Swimming, yes that is what I have done to get 34E and the sister size which I wear is 36DD. I am wary of going too tight on the band just at the moment due to scars and radio but in the future might go down to the 34. I really don't get how a 38E looks like it can fit or how a 34B would fit, as per manufacturer's guides. They are not even 'sister sizes'. I think I will just have to be prepared to send stuff back because there are not many specialist shops where I can try on mastectomy bras. Or I'll sew in pockets for a prosthesis myself. Already done that successfully.

Sorry I mean 34C. Still not sister size, though.

Lots of companies fit bras wrong and it can mean their size guides are bizarre and lead to terrible fits. And although all brands come up slightly different, their bizarre guides don't even seem to be a reflection of this. You would have thought they'd have sorted it out by now.

Unfortunately when you've only really got the option of ordering online it can be a pain in the neck having to order a few sizes and send back the ones that don't fit.

Yes if you've got fresh scar tissue it probably is best to go up a band, although sometimes a slightly larger band can move a little more thus could rub a bit. So it's probably still worth trying 34E and 36DD in various brands and possibly a cup up or down in each band size. Definitely not the 38 though as that would not provide proper support and would move quite a bit.

Another thought - Do any of the specialist mastectomy bra brands also have standard bra lines that you may find on the high street? If any do it could mean you can try on their standard bras in store to get a clearer idea of which size is right before ordering the specialist bra online.

Thanks, swimming, I may do that.