Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
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MicheleS - I have that exact same Hanes bra! I've had it for years & hadn't worn it much but that's the one I've sleeping in the past seven weeks. It's pretty stretched out. Wasn't sure it was still around. The tags are all faded and couldn't search for it. Thanks for the link!
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Dawne-Hope~ There are tons of them (NWT) on ebay. I bought 2 for ~$12.00 (free shipping).
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This has not been a good day. My mastectomy is coming up 9/28. I don't own a bra without underwire, so I started at Nordstroms to see one of the camis everyone says is so comfortable and because everyone says that's where to go. I walked around the entire lingerie section, assuming I'd find a mastectomy area. Finally I went to the counter. Two sales women were standing there and I said that I understood Nordstroms carried mastectomy products, but I didn't see any. Well, the first one immediately looked down; the other one got this look of shock & pity. She hurried over to another salesperson who came back speaking in whispers that "they are in back" as if mastectomy products were like porn products or something to be ashamed about. She took me to the furtherest dressing room. Despite the fact I was speaking to her in a normal voice, she continued to talk in whispers and bring me things one by one. On one hand I can understand protecting customer privacy - but the whole experience was surreal.
Next I went to Victoria's Secret. I guess I never noticed, but when I asked where bras without underwires were, she said they didn't carry any in the store. Only ones they had were sports bras. I thanked her and started to walk out. No kidding, she persisted almost back to the front door about how comfortable their new underwire bras were, she would set me up in a fitting room, blah blah blah. She wouldn't take no for an answer. I finally turned to her and said very politely I was having a mastectomy and my dr. said no underwire during initial recovery. Same expression as the sales person at Nordstroms. You could have knocked her over with a feather. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?? I'm beginning to see what this is going to be like when I have to tell a complete stranger I have breast cancer or had a mastectomy.
Finally ended up at another dept. store and found a very comfotable bra with no underwire and no stupid seams like the ones at Nordstroms. It's Warner's Invisible Bliss and extremely comfy. And it was only $30.
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Janet, sorry you had such a bad day. Wishing you a successful surgery and speedy recovery. I am not sure you should remove the tags from the bra you purchased today. It is nearly impossible to tell what size you will need after mx. The camis work just fine until swelling goes down and during the TE process. Best of luck to you.
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i ordered some VS bras online
wireless and they are my most favorite bras
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Janet: It is quite weird the way people react. I have the Warner's wireless and they are comfy. It turns out they are the only ones I can wear a 36C in, which is the cup size I thought I was going to be. Once my expander got too big, though, I couldn't wear a bra at all. I also love my VS wireless ones that they did have in the store I went to and I am waiting for 2 more to come that have the T-back so I am hoping they fit. I wear a 36D in the VS. Now all I need is a push up and a strapless for when I want a little bit a vavavoom!
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Thanks ladies
I'm just still trying to get my head around everything that's happening. And I will check out VS online.0 -
JanetinVirginia - I'm sorry about your experience today. I never wore a bra after my DMX and during my TE's. I wore the surgical bra mostly that I came home in from my masectomy. Then I mostly wore cami's with shelf bras in them. My TE's were so incredibly uncomfortable that I couldn't stand any pressure on them whatsoever, especially my left side. It really hurt. I was only filled to 310cc's though, and ladies that go bigger than that (which is most everbody!)
some have said they needed more support than simply a shelf bra. So you may just wait and get what you need as you need it. Some of the surgical bras that hospitals send you home in are better than others. Maybe yours will be pretty good.
May your surgery on the 28th go smoothly with a good report and speedy healing.
Much Love,
dh
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Janet -- so sorry you had such a horrible experience. I can fully imagine how you are feeling.
Have you looked at http://www.tlcdirect.org/? This is a great resource for items you may need during your treatment, including mastectomy bras. Here's a link to the mastectomy bras but search the site for cami's as well:
Or just go to the main page of the website (if the link doesn't work).
Did you ask your surgeon if they would be sending you home in a post-surgical bra and/or providing you with one? After my MX I was sent home in a special bra that hooked up the front and also held the drains in place. After the drains were removed I wore a soft, zip-front sports bra that was very comfortable. After my exchange I had a surgical bra and after the drains came out they gave me a Marena Bra. Not pretty but comfort in the early days is the most important thing.
There are lots of options out there and I just am sorry that the Nordstrom's people (so reliable for so many) were so awkward and unhelpful.
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Claire~ What style VS bras do you like?
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right now i'm wearing a wireless pushup because my new foob is too high and it fills in the lower pole - i will post later my other 2 - i need to get up the motivation to go upstairs and look lol
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I am thinking since so many of you like the VS styles I must have struck out there due to my size. I did not even know it existed but I meaure a 34G! I was barely a 36B before bmx! I just got Wacoal smooth bra off ebay and OMG I love how it fits. Can't wait for the next one to be delivered this week. EBay has some incredible deals if you look hard enough.
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These are the two I have - They work great with a natural and a foob. Hard enough to hide, but soft enough to be comfortable!
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Links didn't work - I'll copy the type
#220-136 ipex wireless bra
#253-281 very sexy push up wireless
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Lilah, my exchange is scheduled for Oct. 27 and I have to get my own bra. My doctor said I won't have drains. I want to purchase a Marena bra since I've read that's a good bra to get. When I go on their web site, I see they have a 1" surgical bra and a 2" bra. The nurse at the doctor's office didn't seem to care which one I got. I was wondering which one you had? I'm also a little confused on the size I should buy. My guess is that I wear a 38C right now and the doctor said I should buy a bra a little larger than I usually wear because of the swelling. So, I don't know whether to order a large or extra-large. The web site says that the bust size for extra-large is 40-43 inches and the ribcage is 36 to 40. My ribcage right now is 32. Before my surgery, I always wore a 36. Any suggestions you could give me, I'd certainly appreciate.
Ann
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Ann I'm sure the large will be fine. They are roomy bras with give -- which is why they make good post-surgical bras. I just looked at the website and I think the one I had was this one (molded soft cup bra) in black:
http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-133-seamless-molded-cup-bra.aspx
I'm not sure what the 1" and the 2" refer to -- is that the width of the bra strap? If so, it's your preference; whatever you think will be more comfortable. I slept in my Marena bra for several weeks; after about 3 weeks I did wear regular bras during the day.
Claire -- those bras are so pretty!
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Hi there, I'll pipe in because I am very familiar with the bra you are referring to. I had exchange to the 410 Allergan gummies three months ago. I am having a pretty bad time with them, so despite having bought and returned more bras than one would normally go through in a lifetime, I am really only comfortable in that surgical bra and wear it every day. (I have several...) Once you are out of it, it will make a great sports bra, so it will not go to waste. I find the 2 inch band better -- less likely to dig in along your (internal) suture line and sits nice and flat on your chest. It has a fairly low "V" front, so not too much in the way with clothes. The straps are not exactly dainty if you like the strappy look, but at the beginning, comfort is what it is all about. If you like that bra, check out their sleep bra, which is about as comfy as a bra can be while still doing the job. Unfortunately, I am still in those, also. Marena has an "older" line of bras which are sized S,M,L,XL etc and have a slightly heavier fabric. The one that Lilah referred to is a "newer" one, with typical bra sizing and a little more space-agey fabric, and molded cups. Pre- surgeries I wore a 36 or 38 (D), but my chest below breasts measures 34. (I know, was probably wearing the wrong size all my life...). In an underwire bra like a Chantelle or Natori I now fit into a 36 C or D. In the surgical bra I wear a L, and in the molded cup like Lilah's... oops, just went to read it and the size is rubbed off. In the sleep bra I have both a L and an XL, depending on whether I feel like a little more or less support. BTW, Marena was really wonderful to deal with. The first time they were so eager to help me out (I had NOTHING that fit),that they overnighted my 6 PM order for free shipping and I got it the next AM. Then they sent me out a second batch with no charges despite having not received the first batch back, so that I could compare sizes. If you are not sure about sizing, order a few different sizes and then return them. Be sure to ask them for a final receipt that you can send to insurance. Most insurances will cover your bras, -- MANY per year, FOREVER AFTER, and not just surgical ones! You just need a script from your doc that says "bras". Good luck.
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Oops, asr51... that was to you!
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Lilah and Jerusha, thanks for your help. I'm going to give Marena a call tomorrow and see what they suggest.
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Janet .... you have me in stitches..... can just imagine the Victoria Secret's lady..... her jaw probably dropped and didn't have a clue what to say.... hahaha. That's funny. Honestly, most people who I tell I've had a mastectomy are okay with it and usually come back and say I look great or something like that... not to worry.
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Just checking in w/ my bra buddies after being away from the computer for a few days! Last week when I couldn't go back to sleep one very early morning (like 4:30), I decided to bra shop online, of course! I was looking for UNLINED, underwire ones because they really provide the best support. The ones I have (my Freyas) all have seams in the cups, which are great for support, but not so great for looks under tight tops. I ordered two different styles of the "Rosa Faia" bra by Anita: the "Anita" (#5690) and a seamless underwire (#5490). I'm still deliberating, but I must say they were extremely comfy from the get-go. I've only worn them for a bit - tags still on - so I'll let you know. There is a bit of rippling in the center - where natural nip/areola complex would fill it out - but I think I can smooth it out by snugging up the straps. Seems to run a bit small in the cup; I ordered 30E, and almost think I could go up as the wire sits right on the edge of my implants, but I think that's actually where it needs to be. Anything bigger and I'd have even more space in the cups. I'll let you know my final verdict eventually.....
((((((Janet)))))) - Hang in there, sweetie! If you're like I was, the time leading up to your mx is a very difficult time. Just to make it more difficult, the very people (bra fitters) who should be a source of support right now weren't able to do that. You'd think that with the prevalence of bc in the media/life, people would feel more comfortable with the "consequences" of it (mx). Those fitters should have been able to do their job w/o making you uncomfortable. Come here any time and we'll try to help however we can!
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Ladies,
There is a thread on BCO called
WHAT IS BCO WORTH?
It was started by our KATE33..:)
This is BCO's TENTH year...
I wanted to post this for all to see... if you can give any kind of donation... BOY...this is a GOOD THING! BCO has been here for all of us..... and hopefully will be here for ladies who come after us. They have PAYPAL.... and Kate posts this in her heading.
Let BCO know... how you thank them.
Laura
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This was on the thread "Smiles, Chuckles and Quick Laughs"-
NaughtybyNature wrote:What Religion is Your Bra?
A man walked into the ladies department of Myer'sand shyly walked up tothe woman behind the counter and said,'I'd like to buy a bra for my wife.. '' What type of bra?'asked the clerk.
'Type?' inquires the man, 'There's more than one type?'
' Look around,'said the saleslady,as she showed a sea of bras in every shape, size, colourand material imaginable.'Actually, even with all of this variety, there are really only four types of bras to choose from .'Relieved, the man askedabout the types.The saleslady replied:'There are the Catholic,the Salvation Army,the Presbyterian,and the Baptist types.Which one would you prefer?'
Now totally befuddled,the man asked aboutthe differences between them.The Saleslady responded,'It is all really quite simple..
The Catholic type supports the masses;
The Salvation Army type lifts the fallen;The Presbyterian type keeps them staunch and upright;
The Baptist type makes mountains out of molehills.'
Have you ever wondered why A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, G, and H are the letters usedto define bra sizes?If you have wondered why,but couldn't figure outwhat the letters stood for,it is about timeyou became informed!
(A} Almost Boobs...
{B} Barely there......
{C} Can't Complain!..
{D} Dang!...
{DD} Double dang!...
{E} Enormous!...
{F} Fake...
{G} Get a Reduction...
{H} Help me, I've fallenand I can't get up!...0 -
Oh. I'm so confused! Never heard of Freya or Wacoal. When my TE's were first put in I bought 2 sport bras that fastened up the front for cheap. (Wasn't about to pay $40 for a Nike sports bra!) One was black the other white. And I also bought a cheap white 34C soft cup bra thinking it would fit over the TE's. The sports bra cut into my ribcage and the little pleats left marks on my skin. The bra while it sort of fit looked funny, cuz I could poke in the part where I had no nipple on my right side! Took care of that and put some cotton balls in.....LOL. But even that didn't feel too good around my ribcage. So, for the most part, I've gone braless. I try to double up on t-shirts to try to hide my uni-nip from sticking out! (DH even tried to help by putting a band-aid over my uni-nip, now that was hilarious! to no avail)
My PS hasn't said diddly about post surgery. I've become so accustomed to being au-naturelle, I don't want to wear a bra! I just sorta wander around my house half dressed. lol
Almost walked outside to get the mail before realizing I didn't have a shirt on.
Warner's I know about and same with Maidenform and of course VS. I don't have a Nordstrom's around where I live. But these others, are they only online? What's a surgical bra? Does it come with the surgery? Or do I have to buy it separate? Sorry for the ignorance. Thx a bunch for the help.
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Kate--hilarious! thx for posting that.
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happymom- I think you and I need to "step away from the computer"! LOL!
My PS sent me home in what they called a "surgical bra" but it was really just more like a very supportive sports bra that is made by Marena. They had me purchase it ahead of time for $32. I had to wear it 24/7 for 4 weeks. You really do want to wear something really supportive to hold the implants in place as they are healing. They tell the augmentation girls the same thing. With all we've been through we don't want those puppies gravitating where they don't belong! Here's a link if you want to see the Marena bras though I wouldn't purchase it there since I think you can get them cheaper elsewhere.
http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-19-recovery-bra.aspx
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They have me wearing a Marena Torture Torpedo Launcher Bra 3 wks 24/7 and 3 more weeks at night, but everytime i get up in the morning they are back where they are supposed to be and when I don't wear it, they move ever so slightly, so, I think I may be wearing it longer till I find something else, less torpedo launching kind, maybe.
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Thanks, Kate. Yes. This place is addicting!!! Maybe the PS will already have that for me??? I love my PS, but he hasn't been too forthcoming with what I should expect. And I know when he gives DH instructions before going home on Friday, I'm sure he's not going to know what questions to ask.
MBJ--that is one dangerous bra!!! Puts me in mind of an old James Bond film, where the torpedo bra was actually loaded!! And not with boobs! lol
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happymom: LOL! Smoking guns!!!
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