A Guide To Post-Surgery Bra Shopping
Undergoing any type of breast surgery – as a health precaution or augmentation – can be a worrisome. Many find the experience of undergoing an operation tiring and draining.
It’s quite understandable. When you leave the hospital, though, there are some things that you need to consider, such as what bra should you buy? Here’s what you need to know.
Understand that your bra size may change
Not sure where to start after you’ve left the hospital? After any type of surgery, you will need to give your breasts a little time to settle and return to the size that they will be from now on. For that reason, it may be worth getting measured and buying a few comfortable, yet temporary bras for the time being. Doing so will mean that, while going through this tricky period, you feel comfortable and supported.
Note: You should never make the mistake of trying to squeeze your breasts into a bra that’s too small for them after surgery. Thinking you can carry on wearing the same bras you wore before may be a real mistake. Not only could this slow down the crucial healing process, but it will also be seriously uncomfortable.
And swelling is likely to last a while
Of course, one of the other major things that you need to remember is the fact that swelling happens with many operations. Talk to your surgeon before leaving the hospital and enquire as to how long the swelling may last.
Different operations will cause you to swell for different amounts of time and, in truth, some people just happen to recover faster than other. Get all the info you can. In an ideal scenario, you should look for a bra that fits on the loosest clip. As the swelling reduces, you can tighten the bra a little at a time.
Opt for full cups, not demi-cups
There are loads of beautiful cup styles out there and, usually, you have your pick of the lot. Post-surgery, though, you need to be a little more selective in the ones that you choose. Many women think that they need to opt for a demi-cup situation. It’s an easy mistake to make. After all, you may think that you don’t want too much material covering your breasts.
However, when it gets down to it, you should find that a nice full-cup bra protects your breasts from any knocks or irritation. Don’t forget that your skin and the breast area will be more sensitive than ever. Go out of your way to keep this area out of harm’s way so that you feel secure in yourself. It will be a huge help.
Related: What Is A Demi Bra?
Adjustability is key here
With your breast size being somewhat unpredictable and the possibility of swelling, what is the most important thing that you need? You guessed it – adjustability. Before you buy any new lingerie for your recovery period, you need to check that each and every piece is as adjustable as possible. The more flexibility you have with your bra, the more versatile it is and, ultimately, the more use you will get out of it.
Take a look at the straps of the bra and make sure that they are fully adjustable and that you can move them as and when you like. It may also be worth looking for bras that you can take the straps off and replace them if you need to do so. These little extras mean that you can get the most out of your lingerie.
Check the band and seams
Next, when it comes to looking for your bra, you need to be as careful as possible. The first thing you should check out is how thick the bra band is and whether it will provide you with enough support whilst still leaving you room to breathe. Needless to say, it can be hard to find a piece that fits the bill and that you like.
Pay super close attention to the seams as well. You’re likely to be extremely sensitive right now and any irritation could be horrid. If the seams look as though they may be scratchy or uneven, you may want to give the bra a miss for now. The point is that post-surgery bras should feel comfortable; almost like you’re wearing no bra at all.
Try to avoid underwire bras
Ouch ouch ouch! Wearing an underwire bra when you’re recovering from surgery is likely to be a seriously painful experience. Your body is tender right now, and so you need to make sure that you account for that. So, why do you need to avoid bras with underwire?
Well, for one thing, if you’ve had implants, you could find that the underwire affects where the prosthesis sits. Plus, after an operation, having some underwire digging into your ribs is sure to be annoying at best and painful at worst. Don’t put yourself through it. Right now, you need to be sensible in your lingerie choices, which means waving goodbye to those pieces for a few months.
Final considerations
In the end, choosing a post-surgery bra is all about your own personal levels of comfort. It may be worth getting some advice from a fitter in store and figuring out what works for you. All breasts are as unique as they come, and so it may be a case of trial and error here. Most important of all, be sure to talk with your doctor about which bras will work best for you after your surgery. Good luck finding the right bra for you!
Related: Where To Buy Wireless Bras
We Highly Recommend
Once you receive the go ahead from your doctor to wear bras again, we suggest getting a bra fitting from a professional bra fitter. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.
Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.
If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.
Happy bra shopping!
