Question:
Everyone keeps telling me that I will not be able to wear a bra for the first 2 weeks
I can not go without a bra! What do you think of a sportsbra?? Would that still irratate my incision. I am having the Open RNY. Thanks! — Sixftmommy (posted on July 21, 2003)
July 21, 2003
Michelle, I had the same concerns myself! Prior to surgery the hospital
called for the pre-registration and after they had taken all my info asked
if there was anything they could do to make my stay more pleasant. My
answere was "have someone there to help into my bra at the first
possible opportunity!" I had it on the day after my surgery! I didn't
have any trouble with any irritation, but I'm not overly larger either. I
have also heard that folding a sterile 4x4 and tucking it under the front
of your bra helps also. Good luck! Oh, by the way, you probably won't
even care for the first 12 hours or so!
— Pambylah
July 21, 2003
Do you have a bra that doesn not have any underwire or closure in the front
that could rub on your incision? Something not looser and soft and doesn't
cover the middrif area at all? I'm sure you can find something to work and
the sports bra may be perfect. BUT you may find that the first few days
you prefer to go braless, so have so loose fitting tops or dresses handy
just in case. The first few days you will be home any way so be
comfortable and don't worry.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 21, 2003
Michelle: I found it impossible to wear my bra for the first week or so
after surgery. I wear an underwire bra. What I did was take the scissors
and slit about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in the middle, from the bottom, right
between the underwires. That made it so that the bottom of the bra didn't
rub on the incision, it would just part. I cut up one of my husband's soft
old t-shirts into squares and also used that to pad the incision right up
at the top where any part of the bra might hit. Good luck on your upcoming
surgery. Don't worry, the bra thing will work out! Kim
— Kim C.
July 21, 2003
Michelle - I totally understand your concern. I, too, felt that I
absolutely could not go without a bra. My solution - I got some of those
cotton tank top/camisole tops from Wal-Mart that have the bra shelf built
in. They were great. I also knew that I would need a t-shirt or something
to wear under the binder so it wouldn't rub against my skin and so the
camisoles worked double duty. I highly recommend them. I would make sure
you get a size that's small enough. Mine was really a little too big and
didn't provide the bra support that I would have liked, but it certainly
worked fine. So much so, that I was comfortable enough going out in public
with them on. My other solution, when I was ready to wear a bra, was to
remove the underwire. I took a couple of old bras and removed the wire and
they are so comfortable that I hate wearing my underwire now. And since
I've lost some weight, they fit me great and I have the choice of underwire
or no underwire. Good luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 21, 2003
Michelle,
I'm with you on the bra thing. My bra did rub the top of the incision and
caused a problem. I stuck a sanitary napkin underneath the band of the bra
for protection and it really helped.
— Cheryl D.
July 21, 2003
I got a sportsbra from braexperience.com. I was absolutely obsessed!! (see
my profile) I guess we have to focus on something!! : ) good luck,
you'll be fine.
— msmaryk
July 21, 2003
I wore a bra as soon as surgery was over. I did not have a problem with
wearing a bra. It didn't rub on my incision at all. I had open RNY 3
months ago. Give it a try. Good luck.
— Lisa C.
July 21, 2003
My bras have front closures on them. I simply unhooked the bottom two or
three hooks. You might consider purchasing a front closer style or take an
old bra and cut the band between the cups. Just a suggestion....
— Shadow51
July 21, 2003
I had open RNY too and wore a sports bra throughout my hospital stay. My
incision was well below my bra line so I could have gotten away with any
type of bra but I prefer sport bras. Good Luck! Lisa open rny 4/26/02
-150lbs
— LisaTaz
July 21, 2003
Hi,
I did not wear a bra in the hospital, but I don't have too wear one really,
has breast reduction a few yrs back. When I did wear one I chose to cut
the middle of the bra in a V shape, works wonders.
— Kriola
July 21, 2003
I didnt wear a bra with my RNY; but I did after my Abdominoplasty (the
incicision being from breast to pubis) What helped was placing a 'sanitary
napkin under the bra inbetween the breasts - this covere the surgical cut
and kept it from rubbing with the boobs & bra.... My doctor thought it
was a 'great' idea...
— star .
July 21, 2003
Michelle, I am just over 2 weeks post op. I have not worn a bra since I
went to the hospital. My incision starts just below my breast bone. I am
happy to hear the suggestions of a pad just under the bra. That is a great
idea. But, the other day I went to Catherine's plus size store and bought
a "camibra" by A Big Attitude, or ABA. They have a pseudo sports
bra built in a tank top. I just where it under my clothes. It also helps
to put your binder over it so it is not directly on your skin...the binder
is much more comfortable that way. You can check out their website at
http://www.abigattitude.com
My camibra is 90% polyester and 10% spandex...REALLY REALLY COMFY!
— anadrama
July 22, 2003
well, obviously EVERYONE isn't saying this... i had an open rny 11/07/02,
wore a lane bryant halter top with builtin shelf bra in the hospital, and
wore my normal wonderbra afterwards. i DID place a gauze 3x3 pad in the
center front (just in case), but the underwire never rubbed or presented an
issue for me. the incision was at least an inch to an inch and a half
beneath my bras. however, as in all things, we are all different, and
perceive things differently, and have different priorities. some people
want their concept of comfort above all, others would rather risk
discomfort to retain modesty or propriety. and, comfort is defined by each
of us individually, as well. if it were ME, i'd bring the sportsbra,
and/or the cami with builtin shelfbra.... as well as the everyday one i'm
most comfortable in. the only right or wrong is what works or doesn't work
for YOU... honestly, what works for anyone else isn't really at issue. and
once you find what works for you, then, that isn't at issue either. best
wishes...
— tuxedoll
July 27, 2003
Tie a piece of yarn or ribbon around the center of your bra and cinch it up
as tight as you can....It will totally lift it up off the incision.
— Lynette B.
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