- Breast cancer surgery changes our bodies, but not our desire to look and feel like ourselves as we go through treatment, recovery and beyond.
- Finding bras that are comfortable, attractive, and designed to our specific needs and style choices is a challenge.
- The Handful Adjustable Bra with its innovative removable pads is our top pick for a post-surgery bra that feels good, looks great, and gets you feeling fit and confident again.
Bras were the least of my concerns when I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and found myself navigating an overwhelming number of decisions and emotions. It was when the dust settled after my double mastectomy and my newly changed body began to heal that I started to wonder what to wear.
For many years, there was really only one answer to that question: Women who had mastectomy surgery got fitted by specially trained fitters for a prosthesis that is worn in a special bra.
While that option is still the gold standard and both prosthetics and bras are covered by insurance, today there is a dizzying array of other options from which to choose. Whether a woman has reconstruction surgery, lumpectomy, single mastectomy or double, whether she has radiation sensitivity or chemo ports, chooses to stay flat and fabulous or wear one of the many available breast forms, she can find intimate apparel items that are right for her. From lacy lingerie to colorful sports bras, soft and feminine to gender-neutral, there are options to fit our personal styles and specific post-surgical needs in a full range of sizes for all body types.
As I did my research and experimented with different bras, I experienced firsthand some of the specific needs of the post-mastectomy patient: scar sensitivity, lymphedema swelling, crazy nerve sensations, and numbness. I learned to watch out for seams that chafe, tight narrow bands and underwires that impede circulation, pocket openings too small to insert breast forms, and fabrics that don't breathe through the hot flashes and heat around silicone or foam breast forms.
Trying to keep my sense of humor, I laughed at bras that rode up, shifting my bust around on my chest, and welcomed ones that had soft compression to counteract the swelling and tight sensations that can happen for a long time after surgery. In the beginning, especially, range-of-motion issues dictated the need for front-closing clothing as I couldn't pull anything over my head.
Radiation can cause the skin to feel burned and sensitive, requiring extra soft fabrics, and bras can interfere with the placement of chemo ports. For those who have reconstruction, the implants or tissue used do not fit in bra cups the same way. In addition, women of all shapes and sizes face breast cancer, and for many of us, medication can cause weight gain, so it is imperative that post-mastectomy bras be available in a full range of sizes.
These specific concerns are now being addressed by a few companies started by women who have either experienced breast cancer themselves or treated patients who had been unable to find products that suited their needs. Well aware of the specific needs of the post-surgical population, the brands featured here have designed intimate apparel that is comfortable, practical, innovative, and attractive, and most are offered in plus sizes. They also emphasize business practices that promote community and health.
While these bras work well with the many kinds of pads and breast forms and can accommodate a lightweight prosthesis, they are not specifically designed to provide the support required for regular prosthetic use. For those who have had a mastectomy without reconstruction, specially trained fitters offer breast prosthetics and bras that provide a breast shape that approximates the weight and feel of a natural breast. The main complaint I have heard is about the unattractive style of these bras. This complaint was shared by the fitters I worked with, and they introduced me to the high-quality and beautiful styles of Anita. I found the Fleur wire-free mastectomy bra fit comfortably and looked gorgeous, especially with the optional lacey bandeau peeking out of my blouse.
It is the top five picks below, however, that offer solutions to many of the issues post-breast-surgery patients face. Whatever your specific situation, you will find a bra designed to support you in your journey back to health.
Here are the best mastectomy bras you can buy:
- Best innovative design in activewear: Handful Adjustable Bra
- Best combination of beauty and comfort for all surgery types: Astrid Jersey Bralette with Lace
- Best gender-neutral sports bra: TomboyX Soft Sports Bra with Removable Inserts
- Best bra for reconstruction and limited range of motion: AnaOno Pocketed Front Closure Bra
- Best bra for radiation and postsurgical treatments: MakeMerry Cotton Plunge Pocketed Bra
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