Bra buying BEWARE.

Hi WhatHappened

I spoke to my BCN about the underwire thing and she said that the articles about not wearing underwire is absolute rubbish and the only reason why most ladies who have had breast cancer surgery don't wear them is purely down to comfort.

I've gone back to wearing underwire bra as I'm not blessed in that dept anyway let alone after half of it has been taken away and I feel fine with it

x

So I went shopping yesterday for a post-surgery swimming costume, and an extra bra. Just wanted to try things on to see what styles would work (I had a single mastectomy).

M&S: my first stop. I had brilliant service there for my first post-surgery bra fitting, so I thought this would be my go-to store. No post-surgery swimwear. At all. And the bra I wanted wasn't in stock.

Debenhams: "We no longer do any post surgery items in store, though there might be something online."

John Lewis : a  total of 2 bra styles available, neither of which was supportive for my remaining D-cup breast & matching prosthesis. Don't do post-surgery swimwear.

House of Fraser : nothing

Bravissimo: nothing, though the saleswoman suggested buying a regular item that fitted well & having pockets sewn in, and gave me addresses for alterations people. She was the only person I met all day who was even slightly helpful.

Everywhere else: nothing.

The limited choice of bras was disappointing, but the worst part was being looked at as though I was unreasonable - crazy, even - for expecting such swimwear to exist. I keep telling myself it's just too early in the year for summer stocks, but the staff reactions didn't bear that out. They were more along the lines of "Why would we sell those? People like you should be covered up, not swimming". 

I came home feeling thoroughly miserable, had a cry in the shower, and went online. Thank God for Nicola Jane and their no-questions-asked returns policy! I've ordered 5 swimsuits in the hope that 1 will suit. Unfair on them, when I know I'll be sending back at least 4, and a pain if they're all wrong and I have to try more. But better than a repeat of yesterday's fiasco.

Here's to Nicola Jane, and swimming my way back to fitness.

I’ve bought Markle sparkle bras and vat taken off at till. As a uniboober  I think bras should be half price  

Nicola Jane has sale on, as has Amoena. Asda post op bras are ok and cheap and they also do post op swimwear. I’m about to send a couple of Nicola Jane bras back mainly because the pockets aren’t cotto ... must remember to check before I buy next time. Returning them will be so much simpler than the Ring debacle you’re having WhatHappened

There is also a sale on Asda post surgery bras online. Some as cheap as £2!!! Quality ok - let's just say I preferred my Asda bras compared to m and s. They also have a range of non-wired bras.

WhatHappened my bcn told me no underwired bras after surgery. At the time I thought it was forever. When I saw her about 6 months after surgery, I asked about them and was told it was fine for me to wear underwired bras from then on.

Cwtches,

Gay xxx

It does soeem that the reason not to wear under wired bras immediately post-surgery,is probably because the metal may rub and preclude healing?I had a sore area underneath my surgery breast,(which took FOREVER to heal,incidentally)...but that wasn’t due to wire.

Sometimes I think the post-Surgery info could be extended to full sentences!!

on the subject of a certain shop herrtofore mentioned,I can’t speak for all,but mine measured me completely differently to my bc nurse.

The other thing to say is that the Bcn will have lots of info like these things at her fingertips.I was measured one year later and given a brochure.As I hadn’t had this surgery before ,I didn’t even know I could ask....So,any newbies,make sure you ask ask ask while you are there with your cancer team,and also keep your breast cancer nurses’ phone number in an accessible place ...it was helpful to me to have the info...eventually!!

no criticism implied,I know how hard nurses work...but,ya know...just sayin’!-xxx

I got wonderful soft front fastening bras from Damart..they were the n he sale but perfect post op. Also got a fabulous tanking from Asda. Able to use my M and S tanking as I could get my prosthesis in the boob pocket, so we are tied to post surgery swimwear

Sorry the joys of autocorrect. The bras were in the sale and I didn’t buy a tank in Marks and Spencer...

That so so made me giggle

Leolady56

But Devondumpling, I thought M&S sold everything. Maybe the tanks were in tne Homewar department.

you maybe right, but not in my local store...I checked