Fitter's Product Notes
Amoena product description …suitable for a sleep…moulded cups…smooth out…unevenness...High cotton content for softness and support…Breathable material in the moulded pockets…without seams or closures…Wide, comfortable back support.…’
Is it a Post-Surgery or Comfort Bra?
They may be called post-surgery, post operative, or recovery bras, but we believe they’re more like a comfort bra or soft bra because they can stabilise smaller breasts but may not have the structure needed to support larger breasts and breast forms.
After a lumpectomy, lymph node surgery or breast implant removal surgery, the softer support provided by the Amoena Becky can reduce breast movement and improve mobility comfort.
During radiation or when worn at night, a comfort bra can help to separate the breasts and reduce skin irritation.
If an MRI scan is needed, this pullover style comfort bra is a no metal bra option.
After implant removal, a lumpectomy, breast reconstruction or radiation, a comfort bra with a pocketed cup can be fitted with a partial form to balance breast size. After a mastectomy a breast form can be fitted to create a natural looking breast line.
For other breast surgeries, we suggest you go to Post-Surgery Compression Bras.
Choosing the Right Bra
In the Fitting Room we’ve learnt what’s needed to achieve softer support and wear comfort.
Measuring comes first. Why? When we fitted our comfort bras on a mannequin to compare size and fit, we found one brand’s MEDIUM is another brand’s SMALL (scroll down to the Fitter’s Size Guide for more). Discussion then turns to bra style. Is a front fastening bra with a zip or clips preferred? Will the shape of the underarm band suit the post operative incision? Does strap adjustment and the other parts of the bra suit the torso? And then, which colour?
To give you a better way to choose a comfort bra with the shape and parts for your surgery or radiation treatment, we put each of our bras on a mannequin, made side-by-side comparisons, then rated the outcomes. The shape and parts ratings for the Amoena Becky are described below.
To aid colour choices we cropped our product images because research suggests we make better choices when the eye is not distracted by the model and we show all the bra colours on the one product page so you can see them side-by-side.
Then, to help you get the size right, you can scroll down to our Fitter’s Size Guide to check your size.
If you’d like a second option, you can call the STUDIO and then make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
And don’t forget to check if you can claim for a pocketed post-surgery bra on Private Health Insurance.
How Does Bra Shape Affect Fit?
As surgical bra specialists, we’ve learnt that what a bra looks like on the model isn’t a very reliable way to tell if the Fitted Shape will suit your post op and/or radiation treatment needs.
To make it easier to compare comfort bras, regardless of brand, this is how the shape of the Amoena Becky compares with our other bras. The Fitted Shape description at the top of the page gives you a quick guide when browsing.
Cup Type & Shape The softer, seamless moulded cups tend to flatten the breast and create a more rounded breast shape but may not have the structure needed to support a larger breast or breast form.
Cleavage The medium cleavage more fully encapsulates the breast, reducing breast movement and improving wear comfort. The fuller shape over the breast ensures a breast form or partial form is fully concealed.
Underbust Band The wider underbust band provides more support under the breast and creates a medium bra length.
Underarm Band The higher underarm can cover mastectomy incisions and the flap of tissue at the end of the incision, lumpectomy incisions to the side of the breast and smaller lymph node removal incisions. If an incision extends up into the armpit, a small pad may be needed to stop the top edge of the underarm band irritating the incision. Before transitioning to lower cut fashion bras, NewGel scar management is an option for reducing and fading lymph node (axillary clearance) or lumpectomy scars that might show.
Back Band The wide band improves support and wear comfort.
Straps The wider shoulder straps are wider spaced across the shoulder.
What Parts of a Bra Affect Fit?
Over the many years we’ve been fitting comfort (post-surgery) bras we’ve found that the following parts of the Amoena Becky can play an important role in achieving a good fit after breast surgery and/or during radiation.
Cup Pocket The pocketed cups can be better for a smaller breast form, partial form or shaper. The pocket does not affect fit or wear comfort after breast implant removal or when worn during radiation treatment after a breast reconstruction.
Fastening None.
Band Adjustment None.
Strap Adjustment None. This can result in the bra band pushing up into the breast on a longer torso or sitting too far below the breast on a shorter torso.
Why Question Bra Performance?
Why question supplier product performance and certification claims? Because we’ve learnt that marketing statements are not always verified. This is what we know about the Amoena Becky.
Material 60% Organic Cotton, 32% Polyamide, 8% Elastane.
Support Rating No claim made. Our fitting experience suggests the support level is better for small to medium breast sizes.
Free of Harmful Chemicals (Latex) Third part OEKO-TEX material certificates. No Ready-to-Wear Product Certification.
Life of the Bra Manufacturers don’t provide information. Our observations suggest appropriate care can extend the life of a comfort bra from 6-9 to 12+ month.
Brand & Manufacture German brand. Made in China.
BreastCare STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood. You're welcome to drop-in or call if you have any questions.
T (08) 9361 1300
E info@breastcarewa.com.au
Measure & Size Notes
Comfort bra sizes (S, M etc) make it harder to know if the size is right.
One reason is that each size (S, M etc) covers multiple Band & Cup sizes. Depending on your band and cup size, the fit could be firmer, just right or a bit loose.
Amoena Bra Sizing Suggestions
A second reason why comfort bra sizing can be misleading is because the Sizing Charts are Product Specific (ProdSpec). What does this mean? When we compared our comfort bras, we found you could be a MEDIUM in one brand and a SMALL in another brand.
If you recently purchased the Amoena Becky and it’s a good fit, then use the size you’re wearing. If you’re wearing another Brand, the size could be different and it’s better to measure, then use our Amoena Becky Sizing Chart.
The first step is to use your Underbust and Bust measurements to determine your Bra Size (e.g. M).
If your Bust measurement is on the border of two Bra Sizes (e.g. M or L), the change in size will be accentuated by the multiple Band & Cup sizing, so a fitting can be a better option.
When you know your Bra Size, the next step is to check the likely fit. Our Amoena Becky Sizing Charts show the indicative Australian (AU) Band & Cup sizes (e.g. 14C) so you can see where your Band & Cup size sits in the range covered by each Bra Size. Is it towards the middle (good fit), a smaller size to the left (less firm fit) or a larger size to the right (firmer fit)?
If it all sounds a bit confusing, PHONE the STUDIO to discuss your comfort bra size. If you’ve purchased from BreastCare before, we’ll check your size and then you can make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
Bra Measuring Tips
In the Fitting Room we use a flexible cloth tape and measure to the nearest centimetre.
If you don’t have a cloth tape, use non-stretch fabric or a belt, mark the size and then measure the length with a metal tape or ruler. Avoid string because it presses into the skin and flexible metal tapes because they wrap unevenly.
From experience, we’ve found that having someone else measure is quicker and more accurate. If self-measuring, a mirror is a good way to check that the tape is level and wrapped firmly (but not tightly) around the body. When measuring, stand still and upright, relax, breathe out, then measure.
Bust measurements are taken over the breast whilst only wearing a fashion bra and the underbust measurement is taken over the skin, just under the bra band.
After a unilateral mastectomy (one breast removed), measure the natural breast in the bra as shown in the Half Bust x 2 illustration above, then calculate the bust measurement.
After a bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed), measure the underbust, then use the Sizing Chart to select your preferred cup size.
If your breast sizes are uneven, we suggest you do not try to measure. A STUDIO fitting is a better way to decide on the bra style or bra and partial form needed create a balanced breast line.
BreastCare STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood. You're welcome to drop-in or call if you have any questions.
T (08) 9361 1300
E info@breastcarewa.com.au
