Question:
Is anyone having trouble wearing a bra?
I cannot wear a bra because the top of my incision is just where the band of my bra goes and it's painful to have a bra on. I tried putting thick gauze under there but its still to uncomfortable and it downrighthurts. I am 12 days post-op and had my staples removed yesterday. I now have the steri-strips over my incision. My breasts are large so going without a bra causes a rash where skin meats skin. Is it normal to not wear a bra and for how long will I have to go bra-less? — Peggy D. (posted on April 17, 2002)
April 17, 2002
I have not had surgery yet, but I used to have HUGE breasts. I had a
reduction last year. What I would suggest is to wear a soft cotton bandeau
top. They sell them for large sizes on Newport-News.com They offer some
support and are soft. I wore them after my reduction, since a bra would
obviously rub against those incisions. Good luck!
— Stephanie B.
April 17, 2002
This is very common after WLS. I remember trying loose sports bras, but I
remember going without anything for a long time. But it was winter and I
wore a light jacket or sweater so nobody could tell. I have heard a couple
of ideas that might work. Put a maxi-pad under the bottom portion of your
bra. Or just cut a triangle shape out of the middle part where the
incision is. You will be giving up that size bra eventually anyway! I
hope you find something that works.
— Cheri M.
April 17, 2002
I cut a big wedge from the band in the middle (an upside down V). Not only
did it help with the rubbing, but I was able to get more air circulation,
so I didn't get as sweaty there. By the time I was healed, the bra was too
big to wear anymore...neat huh?? =)
— Denise W.
April 17, 2002
I used a zip-tie to cinch the middle away from my incision area- I am 4
weeks postop and still wearing it that way-
— ~~Stacie~~
April 17, 2002
Thanks for the idea's. I'm going to cut a "V" in my bra to see
if that does the trick. Thanks!!!
— Peggy D.
April 17, 2002
I had this same problem. I could not wear a bra until about 3 months post
op. (sorry, but yes, 3 months). Until then, I wore one of those mens
white undershirts. The kind that kinda looks like a tank top. It worked
great. Good luck.
— skymaxjr
April 17, 2002
I used a soft kotex pad between band and skin!
— MARSHA D.
April 17, 2002
I too am 12 weeks post-op and just went yesterday to doctor , he removed
about 25% of my staples and will do the rest on april 24th , I ask this
question while I was there and the answer was to take a washcloth and place
it on the bottom part of the bra. needless to say . I did this today and it
still hurts, So I will only wear bra when I have to go any where. Good Luck
and let me know if you find something else that works better.
[email protected]
— Glenda C.
April 17, 2002
I feel your pain!! I have HUGE boobs (44DD) and I thought my bra was hell
on straps for the first two and a half months. I ran over the the Avenue
(Lane Giant might have some too), and K-Mart (wal-mart too) to get some of
those tank tops with the shelf bra built in. I bought them a size smaller,
so not only did they hold the "girls" up and away from my
incision, but the tighness due to the smaller size held my tummy in. I
hated my binder, but this gave me a little more support. The Avenue has
them 2/$25 and K-Mart sells them in the plus section for $7.99-9.99. Good
luck!
— Paula Prichard
April 20, 2002
Thanks everyone for the ideas. I found that cutting the middle of the bra
works the best.
— Peggy D.
August 15, 2002
another suggestion is to cut the legs and crotch out of a pair of old
pantyhose and use the "control-top" section as a tube-top. no
seams or bands, and it offers very comfortable support. i am pre-op, but
i'm sure this would work great with the incision. i am 46F and have used
this method when my back pain is out of control and it's impossible for me
to wear a normal bra. very economical, too.
— maurer_power
December 17, 2002
I would also suggest a front opening bra. I was able to wear mine home
from the hospital because I opened the bottom two hooks and tucked the
flaps inside the bra, and am still wearing it this way at 2 weeks post-op.
I purchased two bras before surgery just for this. I have one tricot(sp?)
and one with a lace panel at the bottom half of the cup. The lace is just
a little too rough as the stomach skin is very irritated from all the tape
used for the bandages. When I relax these two girls just like to rest on
my belly. Today I have just begun to start removing the bra when I come
home so more air will get to the insision site just under the girls. (They
seperate then.) Since going braless wasn't an option for me, I inprovised.
Hope this help anyone still reviewing the library. (Sorry but I just
can't spell.)
— jocelyn
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