Fit Tip Tuesday: Post Mastectomy and Reconstruction
Mastectomy & Reconstruction FAQ’S
Teaming up with the beautiful Anna Crollman, blogger + breast cancer survivor for today’s #FitTipTuesday. Anna is so gracious and kind enough to answer our questions about breast health, her experience with a double mastectomy and reconstruction as well as any clothing/bra related tips you need.
Hi! I’m Anna Crollman, the voice and face behind the blog My Cancer Chic and a 5-year breast cancer survivor. Having gone through a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction I have learned so much about the world of mastectomy bras, and how to feel confident and stylish after a breast cancer surgery. I have seen so many women struggle to find bras that work well for their post-mastectomy bodies and I love being able to share my experience as well as the insight I have gained from surgeons and breast cancer survivors around the globe. I am so grateful to Caralyn for inviting me to share my experience on with her community.
When it comes to bras after a mastectomy, everyone is unique. Depending on what type of surgery you have as well as whether you choose to go through reconstruction, your needs may vary. While part of the struggle will be finding bras that fit your new body, the other aspect of the struggle is mental. It’s perfectly normal to grieve the body you lost and need time to come to terms with the changes. It took me over a year to heal mentally after my mastectomy and even now, 5 years later I am still experimenting with bra styles as my body changed after having my son. Don’t give up if the first bra you try doesn’t work for you. Like dating, it’s about finding the right fit and match for you. In my guidelines, I will share some thoughts on what to look for, and questions you can ask when shopping.
How Your Body Changes After a Mastectomy:
You will not have any breast tissue
Your chest will likely be more sensitive due to the lack or fat/tissue
If you had radiation your skin may be thinner & tender
You will no longer need a bra for support/lift *unless you had a single mastectomy and retained your breast on one side
Your reconstructed breasts (commonly referred to as foobs), will not fit move
more about Breast Reconstruction:
Choosing to go through breast reconstruction is a very personal decision. Some women feel very defined by their breasts and reconstruction is an option to recreate the appearance of breasts. While the results will be completely different than natural breasts and in many cases the process can span many years, for me this was the route I chose to go. One of the biggest lessons I have learned about reconstruction is it’s never too late to change your mind. If you choose reconstruction at first and are unhappy, you can take the implants out and go flat. If you chose to go flat at first and later want implants, that is an option as well. Whatever you choose, you deserve to be happy with your body. As we will talk about in the guidelines whether or not you choose reconstruction will modify some of the things you will be looking for when it comes to bras.
Underwire or No Underwire?
While I am not a medical professional, many surgeons recommend women avoid bras with underwire after a mastectomy because after surgery you may have little to no feeling in your chest, so you wouldn’t feel it if a wire were to poke or pierce skin. In addition to this guidance underwire bras are generally shaped for a natural breast. When you have a flat chest or reconstructed chest with implants, you may find that the formed bra shapes no longer fit your chest and feel uncomfortable. This is why I generally recommending avoiding underwire for a better fit and improved comfort. Be sure to consult with your own doctor depending on your person situation.
What to Look for in a Post-Mastectomy Bra
Underwire free
Soft fabric and minimal seams - to avoid scratching sensitive skin
Pocketed – if you have a breast prosthetic
Thicker bust band – I find these rid up less on an immobile chest and are more comfortable on the sensitive upper abdomen area.
No molded cups – implants and those who choose to go flat will find these types of bras no longer work for them.
While you will no longer need support, you may still like the feeling of a secure bra
Post-Surgery Bra recommendations?
After your mastectomy surgery you will need to wear a bra with compression and support for a few weeks as designated by your doctor. Unfortunately, the medical bras provided by hospitals and medical supply stores can be very ugly and uncomfortable, but you have other options. I suggest looking at retailers like AnaOno, Athleta, & Nordstrom for a front closure post-mastectomy with limited seams. Sadly, so many of the bras that are deemed mastectomy friendly, have uncomfortable seams which is the last thing you will want on your tender healing skin. Since you will have limited movement, you will need a front closure as well as an adjustable fit for the necessary compression. This post-surgical bra from The Brobe Post-Surgical Bra is made with mastectomy recovery in mind and can be purchased with the robe and drain carrying belt.
Double Mastectomy Bra with Reconstruction
This is the type of surgery I had and thus can speak most confidently about. To be perfectly honest, many times I do not wear a bra and instead use these silicone nipple covers to disguise my scars. If I do want to wear a bra, since I don’t need one for support, I opt for something that is ultra-soft and has some padding to even out my shape and smooth scars in thinner tops. AnaOno bras, designed specifically for women who have gone through breast cancer, as well as lightweight bras and bralettes from True & Co are my favorite. I wear these around the house for lounging as well and love the True Lift bra from True and Co for a more secure fit under work blouses.
If you are looking for sports bras and want something with more support and padding, I really like the ones from Athleta as well as this one from AnaOno. Both are supportive for high impact exercise and non-irritating on the skin. I also shop at mainstream stores for athletic bras/bra tops and just double check that they meet all of my shopping criteria above. Since I don’t need support, it actually makes bra shopping easier in some cases.
Single Mastectomy with or without Reconstruction
For women who choose a single mastectomy you will likely be looking for bras that have lift on one side for your natural breast as well as some soft fabric for your reconstructed breast. While many of the same types of bras I mentioned above will be helpful, you may also need to get a bra insert or use a bathing suit pad to help even out your chest. If you are looking for pocketed bras to hold an insert Belk has some great options, as well as Athleta. Another pro-tip I learned when I had a prosthetic for 6 months was that you can take your favorite bras to a tailor and they can add a pocket to them very easily. This same trick to be applied to your swimsuits if they do not come with a pocket for padding.
AnaOno even has a whole section of bras dedicated to those who opted for a unilateral mastectomy.
Double Mastectomy without Reconstruction
While I can’t speak to this option from experience, I have learned from others that you will want to look for bras that don’t have divets, formed cups or extra fabric pockets. AnaOno has a page of bras that work well on flat chests and many of the bralette I love from True & Co would work well on a flat chest. Another great way to get ideas for what may look best on your flat chest is to search hangtags like “#flatandfabulous” to get insight from other women who share your surgery choice.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
I understand that bra shopping is very expensive and a huge challenge financially after breast cancer. It’s important to note that almost all insurance covers 6-8 bras per year under the post-mastectomy guidelines. Not all bras qualify but many do so be sure to do your research prior to purchasing. AnaOno in particular provides information on how to submit your receipts to your insurance and some bra stores will even help you process the claim. Also check out organizations like Pink Warriors that provide bra grants and donations for women in need.
I hope this insight on post-mastectomy bras has been helpful. While I didn’t dive into swimwear in this post, I have tons of mastectomy friendly swim guides on my blog. I update the posts annual with new options and share try-ons on my Instagram. Thank you again to Caralyn for sharing her space with me and I’d love to answer your questions via email or on social media!
Don’t forget to start your self-breast exams around age 18 and do them monthly so you know what “normal” is for your body. If you ever find new lumps, bumps, discharge or pain, be sure to consult your doctor! Young women can and do get breast cancer and you are your own best health advocate!
Sincere thanks to Anna for taking over the blog today! Be sure to follow her on IG @mycancerchic for more tips, knowledge, fashion and fun!