Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
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Kate: He keeps asking to just "see" them one more time LOL! I keep touching them like it's Christmas morning for me but I don't want to get the breast fairy mad or she might take them back! I am very happy--so far so good. I am glad you mentioned old bras, too. I think I have a problem with size, because I brought my old 36B spanx bra in thinking it would fit---NOT!!! And I have a whole drawer full of fairly new barely used bras, too. I have my one and only large, soft bra on which just barely fits me now and I have it on pretty loose with my upper part of my breasts in the ace bandages. I will take further pictures in a couple weeks once they have settled a bit more and after I have had a proper shower! Two more days I have to go without a shower in 100 degree weather. Yuck.
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Bought a Bali front close sports bra today. The new PS I saw today said to wear front close because it holds them up and in whereas the regular type tends to push them down and out. Does anyone else here have a front-close sports bra they can recommend?
Oh, while I was at Macy's, they had 30% off a DKNY demi bra... shouldn't have ... but couldn't resist.... especially after Kate raved about em.
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Prior to my MX, I loved the front close, no underwire spanx bra. So comfortable but I am not sure how this would work as a sports bra.
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vanderlady - I got my front close bras at Walmart - I tried more expensive brands but they just didn't feel right. These were two for $10, I think they are Fruit of the Loom, they have hooks in front and racer style back. I stil have TEs, but PS said these bras would be great for right after exchange - every time I go he says "now where did you get these bras". Did you say you play tennis? I do as well - I'm 4.5, but really not playing well with these TEs in, but having fun - hope you are having fun as well.
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Vanderlady, after my January bilateral MSX I bought a zip-up-the-front sports bra from Dick's in the underarmer brand. I love that bra and wore it even yesterday to my exchange surgery. I also own an Amoena which is wonderful. I have preferred the front zipper for the convenience when my arms were limited after Msx but it's good to hear there are physical advantages. Thanks for the info!
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Hi ladies,I just wanted to pass on info about a bra I just discovered. It is perfect for those who have had an exchange, do not have a nipple on one side, were encouraged by their PS to stay away from underwires, and wear a size that is not easily found in department stores! All these criteria are nearly impossible to find in a bra!
It is a Bali bra and has "concealing petals" which prevents the world from knowing that you only have one nipple!!! The style number is: 3413 - it's called a Bali Concealer Wirefree. I ordered mine online through JC Penney and right now with all the back-to-school bargains, I believe they are on a buy one/ get one sale and are most likely eligble for free shipping. I even called Bali to tell them how thrilled I was to find their product. Bras aren't a big deal. But finding one that fits right helps you feel like a "real" woman again! Tammy
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Tammy: thank you for sharing this info. I read many reviews on the product and I noticed many larger breasted women love Bali bras so they may just work perfect for us. I did ask my PS if they provided a temporary nipple for me since I had to go a few months without (they did not). Still considering this.
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Just got 2 DKNY bras in the mail and I absolutley love them. thanks Kate..I actually went online and oredered another!
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Which two Jennifer?
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Lilah, The 2 bras I got I bought off of ebay..
453044 DKNY DQP Black & Brown
DKNY-38C Sexy Demi Nude Lace Padded Under-wire Bra (not sure of the number)..same bra different color.. The straps are gingham black and brown.
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jkz: I'm jealous! I so wish I knew my size because everyone is having a sale right now!
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MBJ I actually went for a fitting the day after my exchange surgery. I was not bandaged at all! though I am glad that I didn't buy any bras that day because I lost both a band and cup size! I am really happy with the way my implants are settling. I think everyday they look a little better than the day before. Are you having nipple recon? If so do you know when?
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jkz: Whippetmom suggested I wait until 2 weeks to go bra shopping. I just have tape on the incision lines and a soft cup bra with ace bandage until my compression bra arrives. My band size is the same as prior to MX and right now my cup size says 39" but if it goes down an inch, that's the difference between a D & C cup. I guess I could get something stretchy. Very tempting to go today. I just posted my naked breasts 5 minutes ago on the picture site. Just slightly off on my MX side where they did repairs under my arm. They said maybe 6 months for a new nipple and yes I will have it done! I already have a place I am thinking of going to for the tattoo. So worth it!
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Hey, ladies! I'm back from the big "deliver the son to college/visit grandparents" great adventure! I've tried to scan through all the posts, but I've probably missed something important. If someone had a question that I might be able to help with could you please repost? That would be helpful!
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hmom - have you found a bra yet? You definitely don't want there to be much movement, so keep trying. Are you doing underwire? If so, then perhaps the wire is too big; a perfectly fitted underwire bra should fit just on the edge of the implants. It is hard to fit our implants sometimes, since they're wider than natural breasts, so we often end up bigger cup-wise than we think. In a wireless bra, it's going to be even more important to not get that cup too big so that there's enough support for stability. Just my thoughts.....
And I remember someone asked about Freya bras not covering the foobs.....that's perfectly fine. Most of the bra's support comes from the bottom and sides - with the straps adding integral support, too. That being said, some of their styles are more "full-coverage" than others. The balcony styles are my personal favorites, though....
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BTW: I went to Macy's today because I couldn't resist even though I can't wear a regular bra for 6 weeks: 36D in the Warner's This Is Not A Bra!!!
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I just purchased two wirefree bras by Warners from Kohls for half off at $15.99 each + 20% off + .99 cents per item for shipping. I hope they fit like the This is Not a Bra Style which looks the same except it has a wire.
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Help, ladies! I had my exchange on WEdnesday. I would like to purchase a few more sports bras since I'll probably be wearing those for awhile. My questions is size. How long should I wait to buy a new sports bra? My implants are style 45 650 cc's but I look much smaller than my tissue expanders at this time. Just wondering if I should wait.
MBJ, I'm dying to go bra shopping, too! Let me know how you like your new bras when you're able to wear them.Also, I own several BarelyThere bras, purchased after bimsx. Would those be supportive enough or are they no longer useful for me? And another concern of mine is sleep bras. Any suggestions for a comfortable but supportive sleep bra? Thanks so much!
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Cleo: My bra buying is premature, but I couldn't resist the sales. Guess I can return them if they don't fit. Deborah told me to wait 2 weeks before having a professional measurement. As long as you don't have alot of swelling or pain is what the Nordstrom specialist told me when I made an appointment. Oh, and of course, no drains. I found out when they took out my drains what I would be wearing the next few weeks. He had me order a compression bra (the hospital one was too small and tight) with a band at the top that I will wear 24/7 for 3 weeks and just at night for 3 weeks. I have a checkup on 9/20 to make sure the girls are doing what they are supposed to. I dont' know much else about bras here yet, as I am still learning. Congratulations on everything going well!
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cleo-waiting a bit to buy a bunch of bras is a good idea, but if your PS doesn't have you in SOME kind of bra or tape wrap after your exchange, you want to get those puppies supported as quickly as you can. All you need is one good bra for that; then you can always get refitted, if necessary. I have not changed sizes, though my upper pole did "fluff a bit" (as expected w/ my low-height TE's). I was professionally fitted as soon as my drains came out - which sadly was about 10 days post-op - but should have been fitted earlier. That little scenario more than likely contributed to the need for my revision. Just a word of caution....0
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MBJ and Val, thanks for the information. My plastic surgeon has me in a compression bra which he will probably remove at my Tuesday appointment. I really don't notice any swelling or bruising as of now. Very slight pain with no need for pain meds. My doctor stated he wanted me in a sports bra probably for 6 weeks. I already own 2 which I hope will fill after this surgery. Val, what happened that you think caused the need for revision? Did you wait too long to wear a bra? That's scary!
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I just noticed that the 34DD Bras on line are kind of matronly, not exactly what I was going for in a wireless! No wonder women are wearing the wrong sizes--they don't make anything pretty in the sizes women wear!
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vanderlady and jkz- Glad you like the DKNY bras! Aren't they comfy? Wish I knew about the sale at Macy's. I was just there today and would have bought more!
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Cleo - I just had a bad combination of circumstances that led to my revision. First, my ribcage slants acutely on my left, so any implant on it is an accident waiting to happen. As my PS said, just picture a round ball on a slanted surface - you get the idea. Then, my stupid body wouldn't quit draining, so my drains couldn't be removed on post-op day 5 as my PS usually does. He did remove my foam tape wrap at that time, though, and put me in a soft bra (the Warner's unlined Elements of Bliss bra that I talk about all the time) but since it wasn't underwire, it allowed my left implant to begin sliding. By the next week when my drains were removed, my PS sent me for my underwire bra fitting, then had me return to choose the best one a few days later. So, I spent a week with very little support, and the damage was done. My PS had me try all kinds of things(like gauze pads) to try to push the impant more medially - which could have worked since it takes awhile for the scar tissue to form - but it didn't in my case. My revision was VERY successful, though, and my PS used permanent sutures on the lateral aspect of my pocket so that implant can go nowhere! The only downside is that if I move the wrong way, it's not very pleasant, but my PS said that's to be expected for a good while longer. C'est la vie......at least my foobs are centered!
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Cleo - I found the Barely There bras to not be supportive enough during the day, however, they work great at night. Congrats on your exchange. How do you like your 45's?
Val - Glad to hear you are happy with your revision. When was it done? I was not supported enough after my exchange.... I've had much less pain now since y'all gave me the insight to go underwire... what a difference!
MBJ - Do you have a Ross or TJ Maxx near you? That's were I went 2 weeks out.... the bras there only cost $7-10 so even if they don't fit right in a few weeks, at least you didn't break the bank!
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Hello ladies, catching up on the posts! I have been working so much that I have not been able to get on here like I would like. Now I am gearing up for our local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure! My sisters you all inspire me and I love this forum! I learn so much about the bras and so many other things. I am scheduled for my nips on Sept. 30th and I am nervous!
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MBJ -- it takes a little more effort to fnd a sexy wirefree bra but it IS possible. Here is my favorite sexylooking one:
Click here: Chantelle Amazone Soft-Cup Bra 2102 - Chantelle Bras
Check out the Post Your Bras thread on the pic forum to see a nice picture of it (on page one) -- the photo on the website is a smaller-chested woman (my photo is a 38D).... I love this bra for when I want to wear something sexy but with excellent support. Wirefree.
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My initial exchange was in September last year, and my revision the end of January. That's why it's taken so long to finish as I just got my tats last month. But, now I'm finis!
TJMaxx and Marshalls are great places for bras, especially if you're a 34 or 36 band size. Forget it if you're a 30 - zilch. There are occasionally 32's, but generally not much bigger than B or C, and most of us need bigger than that....but that's a GOOD thing!
Anna - Fabulous for you to do the Komen Race! I did it last April here and it was very powerful. Bring kleenex! And don't be too nervous for the nips (though I admit I was...as always); they're SO much easier than anything else before!
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cleo100: here's where I jump in about my favorite sleep bra. I hear the groans from the sexy-nighty contingent, but be brave and check it out. The straps are wide and have no hardware. It is a front closure and the back is like a cami or t-shirt - smooth and covers your whole back. It gives good lateral support and good medial seperation. You will learn to love it's homeliness!
Go to the Marena website and look under sleep bra...
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Hey Lilah, Hi! Tossing in my 2 cents. Another one along those same lines that you might like is the Sevilla Scroll Embroidered soft-cup by Lunaire. They have a wired version that looks almost exactly the same as this non-wired. It has a nice wide band at the bottom, and good support. It is pretty and sexy, in that underwire sort of way...Only problem is that there is SO much lace that it can look bumpy under some clothing. Got it at B.N.
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