Truer words have never been spoken. After my double mastectomy, bra shopping became really hard for the first time in my life. Sure, this was only complicated by the fact that I kept going up a size every week due to the saline fills and expanders gradually growing larger in my chest, but I soon realized that bra options post-surgery were slim pickens. Due to the amount of support and ease-of-use that patients require, post-mastectomy bras need to have some specific requirements. It doesn’t help that the market caters to older women who aren’t exactly shopping for the sexiest things money can buy…not that I am either, but give me something other than full coverage and nude color tones. So old school, so PG-13.
Full disclosure: I spent a good amount of money ordering bras from various brands that I thought would fit the bill…or cups, rather 😉 It’s a good mix of front closures, back closures, zippers, hooks, and comfy material. Below are some of my favorites!
The Every Day
Brand: Amoena ‘Mona’ Bra
I LOVE this bra. It’s perfect for every day as it’s supportive and with soft cups. The straps are padded and wide (but not too wide that it would be really annoying if you were wearing something sleeveless). For anyone wearing prosthetics, they fit easily into the pockets, too!
Size: 34C
Brand: YIANNA Post-surgical Front Closure Bra
This bra is actually marketed as a sports bra because it has some crazy awesome support coming from the front and the back. I love its many different adjustables including the 3-position hook front closure and adjustable & removable thin shoulder straps…however, even with those adjustables, I still ordered a size too big and originally purchased a medium, only to exchange it. Order a size below what you think you’ll need. This is a great bra to wear directly after surgery – loads of support and front closure (since you can’t raise your arms for a few weeks!).
(Correct) Size: Small
Brand: Wacoal Embrace Lace Bralette
This isn’t what you want to start wearing right out of the gates after surgery, but a few weeks after, I was ready for something easier on the eyes. I got the OK from the doctor to go out and buy any bra I would like (excluding anything with underwire of course – this is a no go for mastectomy patients). I found this bra to be pretty (also comes in black and turquoise!) with a touch of lace and supportive enough to wear during the day! BRA-vo, Wacoal.
Size: 34
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Sweat Swag
Brand: Under Armor Eclipse High Sports Bra
I posted about this bra a couple of months ago on my Instagram after partnering with Under Armour…and now I’m obsessed with this bra and line in particular. I’m a super active person and was SO worried about working out again, what it would feel like having my boobs bounce every which way, etc. Well…if you go the expander route, those babies do.not.move. prior to the exchange surgery, BUT I still felt it necessary to get to most supportive thing on the market. I swear by this one after going on my first run post-surgery in it 🙂
Size: 34C
Brand: Annette Women’s Post Surgical Racerback Recovery Bra
Shop my exact white leggings from above
Ohhhh how I love Target. Never have I ever bought a D (gasp!) bra in my life, but the Cs just weren’t cutting it on these girls in Target. For the first time in my life, I bought a D and LOVE the fit. What can I say? I like big cups and I cannot lie. The front zipper makes my chest feel super secure and ready to run, spin, stretch, etc. Order a size up.
Size: 34D
Brand: Jockey Front Zip Seam Free Bra
This bra is super soft and easy to put on without any aches and pains AND thanks to the zipper, I don’t have to twist and turn while taking off a sweaty sports bra over my head. It comes in a ton of colors and has removable inserts, which is a plus since I went a bit bigger than I originally was. I will say, the zipper has a tendency to slip down every once and a while, but it’s never gone further than a few centimeters at a time. It’s honestly so comfortable, I could sleep in it…
Size: Small
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Sleeping Beauty
Brand: Warner’s Easy Does It Wire Free Bra
I woke up like this…today. And yesterday. And the day after that. I really love sleeping in this pretty lavender bra! True story, I used to sleep in the nude before surgery, but now it’s hard to ever think about sleeping without a bra. The support this thing gives me throughout the night is everything.
Size: Small
Brand: Amoena Frances Front Close Bra
Another front closure FTW! Amoena is a well-known brand in the post-surgical space and while this bra doesn’t give me a lot of lift or shape, it’s beyond comfortable. I love the feminine touch and cute print. This bra also has pockets if you’re using prosthetics!
Size: Small A/B (runs large)
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More bras I’ve heard amazing things about: Naked, Annette, Splits 59, AnaOno, Brobe
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Thanks Lesley for sharing! I am a YA cancer survivor who is very active in the cancer community so I will definitely share with others that are going through surgery. Also my former roommate and really good friend Kami is a breast cancer survivor and one of the main models for the AnaOno Intimates. 🙂 Glad you had a link to them too!!
Great post Les! Of course the only thing not linked is the jeans in the first photo. Love them!! Where are they from?
This is awesome for you to share as the struggle is real. The yianni is a lifesaver! I am 3 months post and still sleep in it! It was like $16 on amazon so a great deal. I was wondering why your PS told you no underwire. I was told to wear underwire or a sports bra. That I need the extra support. No push up however. Your foobies look amazing by the way! Definately one the best outcomes.
Thank you for sharing !
You rock !
Hi
Everyone is so different. O had double mastectomy and plastic surgeon says no typw bra at all until my one month follow up. I have expanders that comes with remote control. I use remote to inflate 10 cc’s daily…technology.
Thanks for sharing
My wife is going through procedures for breast cancer and I want to be sure she gets all the help she needs. It is great to see there are special made bras to make sure she is comfortable after surgery. I will be sure and get a few of these in preparation.
Great! You are very kind to help her as she’ll need it most directly after surgery. The hospital will surely give her a bra afterwards, but these options in the post are great after she gets the OK to take off the compression bra!
Lesley, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2017. I elected bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and had surgery in June. implants done in October. I too tried several bras and I found several you indicated in your blog. They are great bras. I especially love the Jockey sports bras for my workouts. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! The jockey sports bra is one of my favorites. Glad you found this helpful and that your recovery is going well!
So glad i found this page! I had bilateral masectomy October 2017 with expanders. Had exchange surgery March 30th and foobs have been pretty much just hanging free lol. No underwire allowed so I’ll be checking out these options.
Thanks for sharing May 17th will be my 1 month post opp from bilateral mastectomy. I’ve been told that the struggle is real when searching for a non PG 13 or elderly garment. Thank You MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW GOD BLESS.
So glad you’re well on your way to recovery by now! You’re through the hardest portion of it all. Glad you found the bras to be helpful 🙂
Hi, my sister just went through a bilateral matectomy oct. 16,2018 and was told at discharge to buy a comfort bra to wear day and night. Im not sure what to buy for her!
Facing a bilateral mastectomy in the next six weeks. I am large chested now and always wear an underwire bra. Good to know ahead of time and will be going to check out bras next week in preparation. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Lesley- I would love for you to try out our post surgical bra, the rxbra. I designed this to be super comfortable while you heal, sexy and supporting all of the right areas to make sure you are following the doctors orders. Email me and I’ll send you one!
It is nice to know that even in your alone moments you get to have support. Having a bra to sleep in is a great idea for those that have been through a mastectomy. My aunt might like knowing this as she looks for a mastectomy bra.
Hi,
I am from Australia and am post bilateral mastectomy.
I am looking for a suitable bra that provides side support to prevent the AirXpanders from moving outwardly.
I feel the the AirXpanders are sliding sideways causing increased inflammation and discomfort under my arms.
I am currently trialing bolstering sides with combine dressings, which has slightly improved the discomfort.
Can you share with us who performed both of your surgeries? I will be doing this same procedure next year since I carry the gene!
Dr. Daniela Ochoa was my breast surgeon, and Dr. Eric Wright is my plastic surgeon! xo
thanks so much!! My prophylactic bilateral mastectomy is planned for November. Looking for ways to get thru the first stage and negotiate (maybe) a holiday event. Mind blowing.
J
Thank you SO much for posting this! I have an upcoming double mastectomy for bilateral breast cancer (young to have 2 different types, but they’re both non-invasive so I can’t complain, it’s just you lose your early detection for anything else, so need surgery) and am just starting to research which bras/bralettes to get. This was so very helpful and it was great that you included pics of yourself in them, as not all companies provide pics of their bras on a model (at first I thought it was the bra model until I noticed it was the same gorgeous girl in the 2nd pic as the first!). In addition to that, allowing those of us who will also travel this reconstructive journey see someone who has had it and is healed up is powerful and encouraging.