Buying mastectomy bras can often feel like a compromise for mastectomy patients. Pretty and feminine styles for mastectomy bras are quite the statement. On the other hand, other simpler designs have their focus on fit and comfort. Some mastectomy bras have leveled up their game by utilizing premium fabrics and exquisite finishing touches like delicate laces draped satins and mesh. Some brands have innovative bras that have shaped molded cups for an easy and flattering shape with pocketed cups. Some have thoughtful details that provide extra support for sensitivity.
Mastectomy patients, 6 to 12 weeks after initial surgery or when healing progresses, experience lesser swelling, and the surgical site may become less painful, thus this period may be the commencement of considering purchasing mastectomy bras for most.
A mastectomy bra is a bra specially designed for women who have undergone breast surgeries - mastectomy or lumpectomy. Mastectomy bras can be worn with a breast form in one or both cups when necessary or required. They are usually made from soft fabrics and are free from underwires. Most mastectomy bras have breast cup pockets to house a breast form.
Key Features of Quality Mastectomy Bras
For mastectomy patients, here are some features of quality mastectomy bras to consider when thinking of shopping for one:
The mastectomy bras' straps are supposed to help keep them secure in place and balance the weight. Wider straps for mastectomy bras are more comfortable than narrower straps as the supported weight is spread over a larger stretch. Before buying wide-strapped mastectomy bras, check if they are also elasticated and completely adjustable. A slight, soft curve from the bottom of the strap going down the outside of the cup and then going towards the tip of the band will give lesser discomfort.
Mastectomy bras with full cups or coverage and with a higher neckline will hold the breast form gently yet securely. The mastectomy bra cups will need to provide the needed support and hold, rather than just cover the surgical area. Quality mastectomy bras should also have elasticated edges for comfort.
Mastectomy bras with pockets will securely and comfortably hold the breast form in its place. For breast surgery patients where pocketed cups are not necessary, the pockets will serve as a soft lining and the mastectomy bra will feel softer against the skin compared to mastectomy bras without pockets.
It is recommended for breast surgery patients to wear wireless bras in the first-year post-mastectomy. This is because underwired bras can irritate sensitive tissues in the surgical area. Wireless mastectomy bras - often termed soft-cup or wire-free bras - should be opted for as much as possible.
Side panels to the outer edge of the cups of mastectomy bras help to center the breast tissue or breast forms when worn. These panels of quality mastectomy bras also help to evoke a smaller profile for those women with fuller cup sizes.
The mastectomy bras' center panels connect the two cups in the bras' middles. The area has to be deep to entirely separate the cups and hold the breast tissue or breast form securely in place. Mastectomy bras with a low cup or plunge front will not have the support facility for the breast tissue or breast form; such mastectomy bras will not give a natural and flattering form under clothes as well.
For any bra and true with mastectomy bras as well, the band is the key part and provides most of the breast support. Remember that this area needs to be fully and firmly supportive while being soft and stretchable enough at the sides and back of the mastectomy bra to be just the right comfortable and non-restrictive. Choose mastectomy bras with slightly deeper bands as they will keep in place securely. If the band is too deep though, the band will roll and dig inwards and will not hold the mastectomy bra in place. Both mastectomy bras with too deep and too narrow bands will fail to give adequate support.
Mastectomy bras with a gentle curve at their band tops at the back between the straps provide gentler and more steady support than straight-edged ones.
Back fastening for mastectomy bras will depend on the breast cup sizes of female patients. For smaller cup sizes, the mastectomy bras' back fastening should at least be 2 hooks deep. For larger cup sizes, on the other hand, 3 hooks or more hold the bra firmly in place. Observing proper back fastening will prevent discomfort from feeling restrictive while moving around, at the same time providing steady support.
Mastectomy Bras Additional Fitting Guide
Around 80% of women who have undergone breast surgeries wear the wrong size of mastectomy bras. It can be really important to consult professional fitting when possible to get in-store or at a fitting clinic to ensure the best fitting experience and help women feel their most comfortable and supported selves.
Remember that perfect-looking mastectomy bras fit have bands that are snug and even around the body, have straps that are not digging in the shoulders or are falling off them, have smooth cups that encase the whole breast or the breast form/s, and have the center front in against the body.
For patients with no existing bra to check against and who cannot consult professional fitting, it is recommended to take two measurements to use as a starting point. These 2 measurements are underbust and overbust.
The under-bust is the measure under the bust around the body. Measurement should be taken while the tape is pulled snuggly.
The over must is the measure over the fullest part of the natural breast. This measurement spans from the center of the back to the middle of the bust.
Usually, when these measurements are in, specialty mastectomy bras manufacturers online can recommend a suggested size that fits more or less perfectly.
Getting these two measurements is very much quite a start as using a tape measure is not ideal for this case and may leave room for error. Some online sites provide free returns that allow their customers to keep trying sizes until they get the right one.
