What Is the Best Bra After a Lumpectomy?

Preparing for a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy can be stressful. You may wonder what to expect during the recovery period. After a lumpectomy, many women experience numbness and swelling at the surgical site. You also may notice changes in the shape and size of your breasts. Many women ask what they can do to improve their healing and feel good about their breasts after a lumpectomy. At Leonisa, we offer comfortable post-surgery bras and shapewear for women that can help you look and feel good while you recover.

Your Post-Surgery Shapewear Options

Your doctor will provide all the information you need to care for your body following your lumpectomy. Your doctor will likely recommend a supportive post-surgery bra or shapewear. These post-surgery garments place gentle pressure on the incision to help with healing. You may notice that your skin is sensitive after surgery, so look for shapewear made from comfortable, breathable fabric and strategically-placed seams.

One option for post-surgery support is a breast and chest compression wrap. Our compression wraps provide targeted support and compression over the surgical site. Velcro closures allow you to adjust the wrap to achieve the perfect fit.

Choosing the Right Bra

Your favorite bras before surgery may have had details like lace, embroidery and thin straps. Many popular bras also have decorative seams. These details and fabrics can be uncomfortable on your skin after surgery. Although these bras look pretty, they may not provide the necessary support and compression and could even aggravate incision points.

Post-surgery bras are designed to minimize your discomfort after surgery. These bras feature a wider under band and fully adjustable straps for a customized fit. Panels are sewn into the side, and cups provide added support. Full cups protect your incision as it heals.

Many of our post-surgery bras have different features. Our mastectomy bras include a high neck with lace panels for added coverage without irritating your skin. We also offer post-surgery bras with front or back closures. Pockets in the cup allow you to add extra padding or a prosthesis.

When choosing a post-surgery bra, look for comfortable, breathable materials like our lightweight fabric featuring BodyFresh technology. BodyFresh keeps you fresh and odor-free by resisting the growth of bacteria.

Find Your Correct Bra Size

Once you find the right post-surgery bra, you need to purchase the right size. Research shows that around 80% of women are wearing the wrong-sized bra. Following a lumpectomy, it is even more important to ensure you are wearing the right size. A properly-fitting bra will give you the support, comfort and compression you need to heal. Be sure to consult our size guide for each bra we offer. To be sure you have the right bra, we also offer a Perfect Fit guarantee with free shipping and easy returns within 60 days.

To find the right bra size, consider how your current bra fits. If you notice wrinkling in the cups, your cup size may be too large. If you feel underwire digging into the sides of your breasts, your band size may be too small. Knowing what doesn’t work about your current bra can help you choose the correct post-surgery bra.

You also can measure your bust to determine your bra size. Start by removing your bra or wearing an unlined bra. Wrap a tape measure around your torso right under your breasts. Make sure the tape measure isn’t too tight or too loose. Round the number up to the nearest whole number in inches. Then, if the number is even, add 4 inches. If the number is odd, add 5 inches. This is your band size.

Next, wrap the tape measure around your bust and over your nipples. Round this measurement up to the nearest whole number. Subtract your band size number from your bust measurement. The difference in inches corresponds with your cup size. For example, a difference of 1 inch is an A cup. A difference of 2 inches is a B cup. When selecting a bra to wear during your lumpectomy recovery, you may want to size up to accommodate swelling.

Conclusion

As you heal from your lumpectomy, you may experience many changes in your body. Swelling can cause your breasts to change size, sometimes daily. Our specialized post-surgery bras can help promote healing and help you feel more comfortable. You’ve been through enough!