Post surgery bra recommendations/ tips

[hooty27]

DM has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer- it's a grade 2 lump and she has a lumpectomy operation in the next few weeks.

She needs bras and sleep bras for after the op. Any recommendations of where to look?

Also any tips or info I can help her with to support her after the operation

Thank you

Having had several lumpectomies, anything soft, without an underwire and front fastening is ideal - your DM won't be able to raise her arm on her surgery side higher than shoulder height for at least the first fortnight. In the past, I have found these crop tops from M&S to be excellent and they can be stepped into and pulled up. If she wants more support, M&S do an excellent range of post-surgery bras.

If she wants something more substantial, I have two of the Anita Care Salvia mastectomy bra. They're great, super soft and comfortable to wear. Mine were provided by the NHS as I had a mastectomy, but would happily have worn them for my previous lumpectomies.

Due to the way the arm is positioned during surgery, shoulder stiffness might be an issue. Although mostly for women who have had a mastectomy, this contains helpful exercises.

It is recommended your DM sleeps on her back post-op for a few weeks, so a wedge pillow would be an invaluable purchase too.

That's great thank you

Also are there any books or groups you would recommend for information

Thanks

the best thing I had was a small soft heart shaped pillow you can buy them or very simple to make. Ideal for popping under your arm or just around your breast to stop any pressure also perfect for putting under a seatbelt. Good luck.

M&S do post surgery bras - found them fine.

Bravissimo, if you have one close by, do a fitting service. I had a fitting in the last few weeks. When I got home the label of mine says post surgery. Not had surgery, but it fits lovely. Full range should be on their website.

Breastcancerorg is brilliant, possibly the site I used most. You can order booklets too. Also found The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer extremely useful too.

Your DM will have a breast cancer nurse who is first point of contact for info. She will have given your DM a folder of stuff including details for Macmillan and also Maggie's (if there is one attached to your hospital). If there isn't a Maggie's, start with Macmillan.

I'm a nurse who works with post op patients who have had breast cancer. Primark do amazing bras which both open at the front and the back and are adjustable to allow for any swelling.

www.primark.com/en-gb/a/inspiration/the-lowdown/supporting-breast-cancer-awareness

Thanks for all these great tips and advice

Definitely get a small pillow to put under the seatbelt for afterwards. Wishing her well.

Great thanks

Any recommendations on

V neck pillows
Soft bras
Moisturizer for radiotherapy

Trying to get her as prepared and comfortable as possible

Sorry have looked at the bra recommendations now and look great

Hi I've just had double mastectomy and implants. I bought two bras from M&S and was fitted for post surgery, the surgeon said they have to be tight so no jiggle. Mine would have been too big and was fitted again for 2 smaller and the nurse said after the op that it wasn't snug enough! Went back to M&S today and a lovely assistant told me all 4 bras I'd been advised to buy were useless upon infro from MacMillan (the soft fabric with hooks and velcro at the front). I ended up buying 2 ultra support sports bras (back fastening but hubby can do that). You shouldn't be able to get 2 fingers in the sides and top of the bra. If it helps, the pain after surgery was much less than expected

I went to Bravissimo and they were super kind and helpful - don't forget if bras are for post-surgery you don't need to pay VAT and can get that taken off as a discount at the till.