Deodrant and under wired bras - when?

It's not a trivial question at all. I wore a front fastening bra for a week 24/7 and then I tried to wear it just during the day as I was finding it quite painful but then I found my swelling got worse again so wore it again for another week. It probably depends how big you are too. I'm quite small so going bra less not really a major issue.

I gave up wearing under wire bras a couple of years before my BC diagnosis, I realised that I found them very uncomfortable and I only wear front fastening or sports type bras now.

I am 7 months post op and am still a bit a sore at times and the swelling hasn't completely gone so you may just need to judge it by how you're feeling. 

It also depends where your scar is. Obviously if it is on your bra line then it will be a while before you can wear underwired.

Aa for deodorant, my BCN said that wasn't really a problem though I was careful at first not to put it over my scar. I use natural deodorant anyway as a day to day but if I'm going anywhere, 'll wear sensitive deodorant.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment! 

Hi I am 10 days post lumpectomy/lymph node surgery too.  Wondering the same. I am really struggling to keep my surgery side smelling fresh :( was thinking of taking my dressings off today but nervous. I am wearing tank top like bras with no fastenings  still wearing day and night and probably will do until I can wear a normal post surgery bra without feeling sore (which I do at the mo).  How is your recovery/movement going.  I think I am doing ok, though have some tingling and numbness also feel like I am walking round with a rolled up flannel under my arm and arm keeps rubbing against/ sticking to dressing (i think) which is very irritating. 

I had my main dressing and drain removed 5 days post surgery. Remaining, were some steri strip type dressings. My surgeon said they would begin to lift off and to remove them after 10 days which I did yesterday. My scar looks awful but the stitches are still in so once they dissolve I presume it will look better. The whole area is very numb. My breast is still quite swollen. Over the past couple of days I've been feeling lots of tingling, twinges and odd sharp spams which I presume is everything healing and nerves knitting together.

I'm a 38C so not massive boobs at all. I've been wearing front fastening sports bras which I find very annoying as they ride up and I have to keep pulling them down which then makes the top of my stomach feel constricted. I've been wearing a vest at night as cannot stand the bra on whilst I sleep.

My arm pit also feels clammy and sticky which I presume is because I'm not using deodorant. 

I just want to wear deodorant and a decent bra.

I hear you, yes very similar healing discomfort to me so as you say all normal process. Its crazy isn’t  it its the other little stuff that irritates more.  Maybe just see if you can find some different bras to the front fastening now that will be more comfortable. Hope you have a speedy recovery and a positive follow up appointment.

Hi Jacala, I’m a 36e/f so fairly large, I had glue and dissolvable stitches, no drains. Nurse told me didn’t have to wear bra all the time, (I’m 21 days post surgery) I bought a cami top bra from M&S, wore it for 2 weeks but for the last one I’ve been wearing my underwire bra as it gives me much more support, I suppose it depends where your wound is, mine is on top by my nipple and is completely healed, under my arm is still sore so I’ve been using a tissue to cushion it a bit. As for the clammy feeling I’ve had that, I think it’s what ever liquid that the wound is giving off leaking back into the skin, I’ve got a small seroma under my arm and as it’s been shrinking the clamminess has gotten less. 

Diane x

I’m in day 12 following surgery. My breast care nurse has told me that they like to revive the dressing at the follow up which isn’t until Thursday coming. I have changed it as they gave me a spare. I’m the same with the under arm but I’ve just been wiping it with a damp flannel several times a day but not ideal def. 

I would recommend Asda post surgery bras they’re good value and I’ve found them very comfy. Also for me as I’m a 34G - huge - I’ve used M&S full support bras. No underwires but good support and Comfy. 

Ive worn a bra 24/7 and I’ve even showered with it in as the minute I take it off I start to feel a real dragging pain. Taking my bra off at night used to be a real treat but I couldn’t even consider it at the moment. 
Give your BCN a call for advice. Sending hugs xx

Hi Lou, I am 17 days post lumpectomy and took final part of my steri strips off yesterday, both scars have healed nicely.  I have been wearing soft sports bras from Tu at Sainsbury’s day and night, just switched at night to a really soft sports bra, not as supportive but more comfy to sleep in.  I did wear an underwire bra one day when I was going out and it was fine as nowhere near my wounds.

I have been wearing deodorant since 2 days after surgery just keeping clear of the scar under my arm.  I was advised by BCN to use simple or dove one so I bought a roll on simple one so I can just put where I can and avoid wound.

hope this helps

michelle xx

I had a lumpectomy and one lymph node removed on 4th March and wore sports bras for a long time day and night. Then I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which were completed on 6th May and I suffered terrible complications with a lot of blistering.

my breast are quite large at 38f, and the operated on breast is still swollen, painful and itchy. I have recently bought a lot of new non wired bras from Marks and Spencer which are fairly comfortable but the best purchase be far is a Sleep Bra.

it looks a bit weird and I didn’t think it would support me in bed but it is amazing. Somehow it supports my breast and I can roll from side to side in comfort. I now have several and wear them every night and sometimes in the day if I am not going out anywhere.  worth a try?  

I just wear normal roll on deodorant now but I still don’t put it on the scar, just near it.

good luck!

I'm 9 weeks post surgery. Still wearing bra day and night. I'm a 34 ff. I tried not to wear a bra a couple of times but if I fall asleep on my unaffected side I wake up with a pulling sensation. One nurse told me 6 weeks, one said 12 weeks. Inconsistent information. Its more a case of when you are comfortable. I changed my deodorant to a more natural one (I bought a faith in nature and a dr organics one) as these don't contain aluminium which standard deo does and its not good for you regardless of canncer. I put deo on once my dressings were off as one was stuck in my armpit. Its still pretty numb due to sentinel node removal. As someone said depends on how big you are and to be honest how comfy you are x

Never heard of a sleep bra, thank you, gone to have a look.