Compression bra

Hey there

i had my mastectomy 24 Oct and have had sports bra in 24 hours since ( changed obviously) consultant said I could occasionally go without at night if I absolutely had to but try to keep on. 

I have tonight for the first time gone to bed topless. 

Im asking my consultant on Monday when I can leave off a little. Someone on here told me 10 weeks before it can be taken off at night! 

Xx

Thanks for your reply  oMG!! That’s such a long time I’m going crazy it’s so uncomfortable  I’m seeing my consultant on Thursday I’m going to ask him 

hope you haven’t got to go much longer xx

Stupid question but is your bra fitting right. ? 

Im in pain through cording and seroma and my stitches are irritating me- I have had to have morphine tonight as I’m generally in pain. 

But my bra annoys me rather than hurts. If it’s sitting along your scar tissue could you get an adjustable strap one do it sits lower? 

Mine is m and s with a zip up front. Mega sexy. Not. 

Hi Julia

I'm not going to comment on the bra situation. I've only had lumpectomies.

I'm going to say. Give yourself a break. Stop with the guilt trip that others are having it harder than you.

Sit back,breath and really think what you've been through. The diagnosis, the beginning of this crap road. Then three lots of surgery which means three lots of general anaesthetic. A major surgical procedure which has knock on side effects mentally as well as physically. Is it any wonder you keep weeping. Your not just weeping because you feel bad,but your also still in a state of shock. Your weeping because you've lost something and not just your boob.      

We loose faith in our bodies. They let us down massively and our confidence and self esteem has taken such a battering it is almost to much to understand. Even after JUST a lumpectomy and radiotherapy I use to seek my husband's hand as I crossed roads. It was lost my faith in myself to judge if I was safe.

Then after all this nightmare and discomfort your body betrays you again and gets an infected toenail.  It's like " My God will this never end"

Please have faith in yourself,a quick trip to doc will sort your toe. The rest eventually will become things you felt with. They will strengthen and change you but you will come out of this whole again. You will be different but you'll be good.

So let the tears flow. Tell people around you how bad you feel and go see the BC nurse. They have a wealth of experience.  Loads of tips and tricks about being comfortable. Pain and discomfort are mood changing.

So deep breath get ad comfy as you can then seek support. But please give yourself a break.if you aren't getting upset now life would only come back and night you in the bum late, that's what happened to me. 

Sending lots of tissues and gentle hugs and book that appointment.

Love to you.

Hi Tinkabell I’m sorry to hear your in so much pain hope it’s not as bad tonight 

ive got an M&S sports bra  zip up the front not adjustable straps though

I did ask for advice from the the bra specialist at M&S they advised the ones I bought I’m usually in a 34 DD but they advised because of swelling after the operation to go for a 38 C so I’m 2 sizes bigger around my chest but the same cup size 

I’m still in discomfort today but not feeling so sorry for myself ( had a really bad day yesterday ) 

the bottom of the bra is still pressing on the inflation port hubby suggested some spongy dressing across it and it seems to be easier but still not great 

I don’t feel as tense today so haven’t had the head aches that I’ve had for the past week or so 

just like to say thank you for your reply it’s good to know that we can come on here and get so much support from people who know what we’re going through ( as much as none of us want to be in this situation)  

thank you for “listening” and being there xx

Hi Silverberg thank you so much you really made me sit up and think about why I’m feeling like I do your right

I’m still in denial about what I’m going through I think yesterday it caught up with me I've been burying my head in the sand “cancer isn’t happening to me it’s happening to someone else” 

ive had a better day today still in discomfort but able to cope a bit better 

thank you for your support it really means a lot ️️️ 

Hi

cant comment on compression as didn’t have reconstruction . Had right mastectomy.

Asda sell a sports bra zip front on line might be more comfortable . 

What I did was buy bra expanders Amazon  

so on days when swelling was bad or bra just a little bit out as regard fit I could use expander .stopped band rubbing . 

Margaret

Hi Julus,

I had masectomy and reconstruction using my muscle from my back in August. I was provided a compression bra by my hospital. It has adjustable straps and fasten at the front. In the beginning it was uncomfortable with the drains and felt like it was too tight. But once the drains were removed and swelling started to reduce I find it's the only comfy thing I can wear. I was told to wear it for 6 -8 weeks 24/7. 

Keep doing your post surgery exercises to free up your shoulder and neck. Talk to your physio. 

I had horrendous nerve pain, in my surgical sites, and from my lymph node clearance. The only thing that has worked is Gabapentin which works on the nerve pain. All I can say it's been a god send. Codeine, paracetamol or ibrufen didn't touch the pain. I'm 3 months down the line and still recovering slowly. 

I'm exhausted and fatigued from the cancer drugs, also I had complications following initial surgery (had 5 surgeries since August). Like you I seem very tearful, i cry at least every other day. I've been told I'm been negative..total insult. It's hard work hun. It doesn't matter what journey you are on it's hard. I came on this site looking for solice and reasurrance as I feel like you. And you know this community is like minded and seems to be giving me what I need. 

Your feelings are valid. You have a right to feel what you feel. You're hurting and that's ok x your pain and experience matters. 

Lots of love x

I wear simila compression bra. They have a website. I bought an extra one, for changes etc. I just feel comfortable in them. They are VAT free if you have breast cancer. Still a little expensive mind you. However I reclaimed the expense through my health insurance under medical apparel x