Mastectomy

After surgery, the Berlei Bra & Soft Form gives shape and provides the compression that can aid chest and underarm swelling reduction.

Wearing the Berlei Bra until swelling has reduced avoids the risk of the weighted breast form being too small when the swelling has gone.

After 4-8 weeks, when the chest feels firmer and soreness has reduced, fashion bras and a breast form can be fitted. In the privacy of the fitting room the first steps are to see how surgery has affected the shape of the chest wall and underarm, and to use measurements to verify bra band and cup sizing. Discussion then turns to non-underwire pocketed fashion bra styles.

After a unilateral mastectomy, bra and breast form are matched to the natural breast. After a bilateral mastectomy, bra cup and breast form size can be based on preference and what compliments your body shape. If surgery resulted in a more concave chest shape, a different breast form shape may be needed to achieve a balanced breast shape.

The next step is to review the fit after putting the bra and breast form on and adjusting the shoulder straps to balance the breast line. Standing, sitting and moving about is a good way to check wear comfort. Wearing a ‘lined fitting top’ and using a mirror see the front and side breast profile is a good way to feel confident about breast shape and balance.

Links & Information

STUDIO RANGE Products   Go to Fashion Bras or Breast Forms & Shapers then select a breast form type to browse products.

RECOVERY & LIFESTYLE Suggestions   Go to Mastectomy then click on the ‘before, after or a while ago’ options to see garment suggestions.