A bra that fits properly should make your prosthesis stay in place all day. If the prosthesis rides up during the day or when you move in certain ways, then your bra does not fit as well as it should. This may be a sign that the band is too tight as this puts upward pressure on the prosthesis.
Our bra specialists advise – “Adjust the hook and eye closure to adjust the band size, loosen bra straps or try a different band size to stop your bra riding up.” What to look for – The back band should be firm and level all the way around the body.
Your surgical bra should be snug but not too tight. You should be able to insert two fingers underneath.
As a guide for how a bra should fit in the back, you should be able to fit two fingers in at the back, and one finger in the centre front. If you're on the tightest setting and your bra still rides up in the back, you either need to go down a band size or your bra has stretched over time and you just need a new bra!
Dr. Howland requires patients to wear their compression bra for several weeks at all times except when bathing to aid the healing process.
If you stop wearing the surgical bra before the recommended time provided in your surgeon's aftercare plan, you may notice that it takes longer for your incision to heal. Compression bras increase blood flow to the surgical site, flooding the area with nutrients and proteins to boost cell renewal and speed up healing.
A sports bra will keep the breasts in place while exercising, but it can be too restrictive when dealing with post-surgery recovery. The breasts can swell a little and a sports bra won't leave any room for this.
This is a sure sign that your bra does not fit you correctly. In order for your bra to stay put and support your breasts, the band needs to be snug. To test your fit, try putting a finger under the bra band, between the breasts. If you can fit two fingers or more under the band, it is definitely too loose.
3 products to keep bra straps in place
Here are three ideas: Stick bra straps temporarily to your skin using fashion tape. Keep bra straps in place using silicone bra strap cushioned holders. Use clear straps on your bras and they will be less noticeable.
If you look at yourself sideways in a mirror, your breasts should sit midway between your shoulders and elbows. The best way to assess the fit? Put on your slinkiest T-shirt: “If you can see any lines or bulging skin, you know it's not the right size,” explains Emilie Moraes, resident expert at Harvey Nichols.
Opt for Soft, Breathable Fabrics – Post-surgery skin can be sensitive, choosing a bra with soft, breathable material is ideal for recovery. Front Closure Bras – We recommend choosing a bra that closes from the front. This makes it easier for you to get in and out of your bra more comfortably.
It is recommended that you wear the surgical bra/ sports bra for 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week for 21 days. You may remove the bra to shower/bathe. You may shower on the 3rd day after surgery.
Even if a post-operative bra is provided to you by the hospital, it's a great idea to have one or two extra compression bras for your recovery from breast surgery. This makes sure you still have something to wear even when one is in the wash.
It shouldn't be too tight, but a bit snug. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit two fingers underneath it. If you pick the wrong size and weight, the bra will move around and rise up. The fitter has a chart that tells you what prosthetic size you need according to your natural bra size on a range from 1 to 19.
Some patients may only require the post-surgical bra to be worn for 2 weeks (for example after a small excisional biopsy or lumpectomy), whereas patients who have undergone a substantial breast reduction may be recommended to wear the bra for 2 months.
The underband is an important feature of a mastectomy bra. They help the bra to stay in place and are often wider than on a standard bra; this can also help with covering any scars.
As a guideline, you should be able to comfortably run two fingers under both sides of the bra at the same time. If the bra pulls away from your body easily, it is too loose. If you have trouble getting your fingers under the band and it feels uncomfortable, it is too tight. The band should be level front and back.
As a rule, molded bras should be hung or nestled. If you are going to fold them, don't turn one cup inside out to fit in the other- it will ruin that cup and shorten the life of your bra.
If your bra's center panel is not resting on your sternum, this could be a sign that your cup size is too small. If the underwires are pointing outward and away from your body, this too is a sign that your cup size could be too small. The band of the bra should be parallel to the floor.
If the centre panel of your bra gapes and does not lie flat then your bra cup may be too small and band size too big. Our bra specialists advise – “Try increasing the bra cup size and reducing the bra band size. Also try a stretchy fabric on the bra.”
Costoclavicular syndrome, sometimes referred to as bra strap syndrome, can be caused by tight straps that pinch and dig into your shoulders. This can contribute to pressure on your shoulders and resulting pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
How long should I wear a supportive bra? Everyone recovers at different rates, and your unique procedure will determine your length of recovery. However, you should plan to wear your bra for around 6 weeks after surgery. You should wear it as much as possible (even while sleeping), but can remove it to shower.
Once the skin in the chest area has healed and settled down, which may take up to a year, you can wear any bra. However, if you're planning to wear a prosthesis (an artificial breast form that replaces the shape or all or part of the breast), your bra will need to fit well and have enough support for your prosthesis.