Question:
Open RNYers....Is it impossible to wear a bra......????
I was just wondering how hard it is to wear a bra right after(like 3-4 days after) wls?? Is it impossible?? What about sports bras?? I'm the type that just cannot stand to go w/out wearing a bra. I can't imagine letting the "girls" hang out 24/7!! What did you do??? Thanks. :o) — Cat S. (posted on February 5, 2003)
February 5, 2003
hiya...sorry had to have a little *lol* with that one...
i had open rny done during mid june so it was pretty warm and there was NO
WAY i could wear a bra. i didn't even think about it pre op tho!
what i did when i got home was cut a couple of men's ribbed tank tops to a
length just below my breasts so i could kind of tuck it under them - which
gave them a bit of support, helped absorb sweat, and didn't constrict like
a bra would.
i didn't go out much tho the first few weeks home so i didn't stress too
much about letting them "flop around"..heh heh
when i did start going out in public i wore sports bras tho even those
weren't very comfortable but they were better than regular bras.
oh yeah, the other thing i wore was tank tops with shelf bras in them...i
think it's Hanes Her Way that makes some pretty comfy ones (not skin
tight), i most likely got them at walmart, kmart or target...while its not
as much support as a bra, it did help...
good luck!
kate
www.geocities.com/katebme2002
open rny 6-14-01
pre op: 268lbs
current: 124lbs
— jkb
February 5, 2003
I ran into the same problem, not even thinking ahead! I wear sports bras
all the time because I couldn't stand anything going anywhere near my
incision. They've worked out pretty well for me. I'll probably be in a
regular bra soon. I'd be scared to let the twins free fall!!!
— Angie K.
February 5, 2003
I started out 44I so believe me, them puppies needed a home. I was to big
for sports bras, so I took one of mine and cut out a V-notch over the area
that would rub my incision. It worked great. And by the time I didn't need
it anymore, I was ready for a smaller bra (thankfully!)
— Dana B.
February 5, 2003
I hear you. I couldn't stand being in the without one. I didn't have a
problem wearing a bra after I got out of the hospital because the top of my
incision is about an inch lower than the middle part of the bra. I've also
heard of others who have cut out the fabric at the bottom part of the
middle section of the bra if the incision is that high. Hope that makes
sense. Good luck.
— Lisa F.
February 5, 2003
I can't go withough a bra either, so what I did was cut a little slit up
the bottom center of the bra to keep it from rubbing on the incision.
Don't forget, your bras won't fit you much longer, so don't worry about
ruining them. Good luck.
— Leslie F.
February 5, 2003
I had a loose cotton bra. It worked just fine.
— Cara F.
February 5, 2003
I just went without one untill the day I got my staples out. I started out
as a 48DDD so alls I did was wear 2 shirts on top of each other and you
would of never known. I forwarned my close friends and famiyl who I was
going out with that I was doing that and if it offended them then just tell
me but everyone was understanding....Its weird feeling and annoyed but bras
really hurt when i wore them!
— sandrac131
February 5, 2003
WHY WOULD IT BE HARD TO WEAR A BRA? AM I MISSING SOMETHING? Your scar and
the incision are NO WHERE NEAR YOUR BREAST BONE OR Boobs. If your scar is
that big, WOW, I don't envy you. I was able to wear a bra as soon as I
left the hosiptal, no need while in a bed. My incision is 3 inches right
ABOVE the bellybutton. good Luck!
— heathercross
February 5, 2003
I am also one of those people who cannot stand to go without a bra. I was
wearing one the day after the procedure, while I was still in the hospital.
Regular bras caused problems because of the elastic rubbing, so my husband
brought me a couple sports bras from home. They were much more comfortable.
I have one sports bra that is made of very soft "combed" cotton,
and it was especially comfy.
— Jenny S.
February 5, 2003
Heather...I guess you were lucky. I know that for me, I am going through
BTC for my surgery, and they typically make incisions between the tip of
the breastbone & navel. I know that an incision like that is pretty
common among the "open". That is why I asked if wearing a bra was
hard.
— Cat S.
February 5, 2003
cat, most of the people that have had open r n y have an incision from the
Zyphoid Process(breastbone) down to their belly button and some of them
recommend when you start back to wearing a bra, use a sanitary pad to pad
your incision from your bra. It was a good question and i liked your answer
to Heather. Yes, she did miss something. I am convinced after reading most
of her posts that the rest of us dont know anything and our surgeries can
never compare to hers. She is one lucky gal and I am glad everything went
well for her. Ps My surgery is Monday and I bought an oversize sweatshirt
to wear home from the hospital so no bra for me!!!!!. My generation is the
one that burned their bras anyway! LOL
— Delores S.
February 5, 2003
It's me, the original poster AGAIN, lol. I just want to say TY to everyone
who "UNDERSTANDS" why I asked this question. And Delores, that's
a great idea, to use pads, never thought of that!! Thanks again, :o)
— Cat S.
February 5, 2003
Delores, get off your soap box, this is a message board, a support
board...I had an OPEN RNY, my incision is REALLY tiny, I was also a 46DD
before surgery, so, if anyone knows about wearing a bra it would be me.
Before you judge someone, walk a mile in there shoes...Also, check my
profile, I am on here alot and very supportive to people going through
this. Remember, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT and when asking ?'s about the
surgery, a post-op can answer them better than a pre-op who hasn't gone
through it yet!
— heathercross
February 5, 2003
Heather...You eveidently don't know too much as a post op if you think that
EVERYONES incision is exactly like yours!!! You clearly said, "why
would wearing a bra be so hard...you're incision is NOWHERE NEAR your
breastbone." Well maybe YOURS wasn't, but as you can see from these
responses, manys were!! Do a little more research, you'll be surprised to
learn that the MAJORITY, not all, of OPEN RNY incisions ARE from just below
breastbone to navel!! I think you're the one that needs to get off their
"soapbox"!!
— Cat S.
February 5, 2003
In defense of my self, and this will be my last word on the topic, if you
read my posts, 99% of the time I start with EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! I have
done a ton of research, read my profile and you will see that. I am also 6
mos post-op, so, it makes me more of an authority than someone pre-op B/C I
HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT ALREADY! I guess I am lucky that I live in the
greatest city in the world, NEW YORK, and my surgeon, Dr Leitman @ Lenox
Hill Hospital is VERY SKILLED and TALENTED! I have never claimed to be an
expert, just someone who has gone through it already and looking to provide
a resource to others on the board, the same way they did for me pre-op.
Good Luck to you!
— heathercross
February 5, 2003
Umm, can you two stop bickering please? Or do it privately? Please?
In answer to the original question, I was wearing a sports bra on day three
I believe. I made sure I put padding between the staples & bra. Not
exactly comfortable, but since I was at home, I went braless as much as
possible.
— LionGirl2k
February 5, 2003
I had Open RNY 12/19 and there was NO WAY I could wear a bra until after
the staples came out and the incision had started to heal. It was just too
painful. Luckily for me, I didn't really go anywhere, so there was noone
for me to offend. Hope this helps.
— Kellie T.
February 5, 2003
I brought a "sleep bra" with me to the hospital. Its kind of
like a sports bra, only it has a hook and eye closure. I started wearing
it the morning after my surgery. The bra helped a lot with
"drag" on my incision. Without the bra I felt like my breasts
were pulling on my incision. and yes, my incision started just at my
breastbone. The incision is about 5 inches long.
— Kathy H.
February 5, 2003
I totally understand your dilemma. I couldn't wear a bra for five weeks!
I was allowed to go back to work part time last week (my 9th week), and
putting on that bra was a struggle. I did use a pantyliner as a cushion.
I'm a teacher, so imagine my suprise when I got home and found it had
become a bit dislodged and was ready to drop! Could you have imagined if
it had fallen out in the classroom! Good luck!
— Mary Ann B.
February 5, 2003
hi there :) my incision went up to the bra line as well, although i did
wear a bra it was a bit uncomfortable and at times id take it off and get
comfy, if i went out, id wear one. best of luck to you! :)
— carrie M.
February 5, 2003
I got a zip tie and cinched the center of the bra, that way it didnt bother
my incision!
Good Luck
— ~~Stacie~~
February 6, 2003
Just take a ribbon or piece of yarn or string and tie it around the center
of your bra. Tie it very tight and it will pull the center of your bra
completely away from the top of your incision.
— Lynette B.
February 6, 2003
I worried about wearing a bra post-op, too. Two of my friends who were
post-op told me the incision would come up right between my breasts and
that I wouldn't be able to wear a bra. I was really worried, so I went out
and bought a front closing lightweight sports bra with about twelve
fasteners in a bigger cup size. I had planned on fastening only the top
six fasteneres and then tucking the lower part underneath my boobs giving
me support without touching the incision. It was a good idea, but I didn't
need it. My incision started about three inches below where a bra would
be. I'm guessing it has to do with the height of a person and the length
of the upper abdominal area. Both of my friends who were unable to wear
bras and who's incisions started higher up were shorter (5'0 and 5'2) and
I'm 5'8. It was good to be prepared, though.
— lezawomack
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