One for the ladies

[sandrann]

Hi there ladies, I'm not being sexist guys but needing advise/suggestions regards a bra...can any of you lovely ladies help me please?..I've now ended up with a pair of maternity bras in desperation..but they aren't proving good either..I'm needing a non wired, no seams in the cups, soft straps if possible bra.

Thank you ladies...

Regards

Sandra

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Hi Sandra. You are not the first to ask, so you may find the replies to this thread useful...

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

Hope you find what you are looking for

[sandrann in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Thank you for your reply laura_dropstitch...having read the link you sent and all the issues re a bra I'm beginning to think I should try making my own..if only! My hubby says I would most likely be inundated with orders hahah.

Regards

Sandra

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to sandrann]

You should! I can picture you recounting this conversation on Dragons' Den, the moment you realised there was a gap in the market... Ha! Sure there will be something in the shops that provides what you need, it's just the finding it that's the problem, isn't it? I'm actually thinking of making some underwear this year too, though not for medical/practical reasons, just for fun. Oh, the unexpected topics you find on this forum...

[Mary_Janet]

Hi I made an appointment with a bra fitter at good old M &S and found the service very helpful. I was fitted with soft, seamless non wired bras that are so comfortable, most comfortable bras I have had for years.

[sandrann in reply to Mary_Janet]

Thank you for your reply Mary_Janet...I've tried over 20+ bras at M&S, but they don't go up to my size with the other requirements I need.

Regards

Sandra

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

bit of a sot in the dark, but what about something like this? marielle.co.uk/shop/underwe...

[Fredders]

Hi Sandra, Sainsbury's do a soft, non-wired seam free bra. I bought a couple before my op and they are very comfy.

Wendy

[sandrann in reply to Fredders]

Thank you Fredders...unfortunately they don't make my size.

Regards

Sandra

[Spatz76]

Hi Sandra

Have you tried Bravissimo? They're really good and if you live near a store they do fitting. In the mean time this looks promising bravissimo.com/products/sug...

Steph x

[Ethel13]

Hi Sandra,

You haven’t mentioned whether you need to find a bra for immediately after surgery or not. I had open heart surgery in November at a Harefield, the nurses there have designed a bra for the first six weeks post op. Ladies are put in one immediately after surgery whilst still in theatre. The idea is to prevent wound infection as well as comfort. The bra supports from the sides so when you are lying down your breasts won’t part and cause the wound to stretch open. You should not have it too tight either so the breasts are too close together as this causes sweating at the wound site. I bought two before surgery, one in my normal size and one a size larger as there is a chance of swelling. I used the larger one for a few days then managed with the two in my normal size ( one from theatre and one bought). The idea is to wear it 24/7 for six weeks so I had one on one in the wash. I am now able to wear 2 of my usual bras as they are mainly cotton and well worn in. I am well endowed and found the sizing very accurate. The bra comes in a large range if sizes. The idea is not to uplift but support from the sides. They have hook and eye opening at the front with several options. I found leaving the bottom three or four hooks undone was more comfortable for me, this was recommended by the nurses. It is BHIS cardiothoracic/heart surgery support bra and can be purchased via herniasupport.co.uk.

Hope this helps, good luck with your search.

Dory x

[Ethel13 in reply to Ethel13]

Sorry the website is:

herniasupportbelt.co.uk

[sandrann in reply to Ethel13]

Thank you Dory, I was given a bra the day after surgery (September) which was mainly velcro and was told I needed to wear one 24/7 for the following 6 weeks..my hubby went online in search of 2 more for me, which we eventually purchased at £73 each..never paid that for a bra before, hey ho. I had lost one and half stones whilst in hospital which drastically reduced my bra size. I managed to purchase 3 very soft, non wired bras from M&S, which I've worn until recently as i'm now finally back to my previous size before surgery, hence needing new bras.

Thank you for the link.

regards

Sandra

[Ethel13 in reply to sandrann]

No problem Sandra, obviously the post surgery bras are not what you need but maybe the link will help others. Good luck with your search for comfy bras. x

[Rosie1066]

I seem to be unusual but I never had a problem post surgery. Never thought about it and just carried on with my normal bras.

[Madgranny2]

I bought the all in one soft stretch bras online. 3 in a pack as I could put them on over my feet and did not have to raise my arms. I then moved onto cotton front fastening bra, both served me well and were comfortable. Hope you find something x

[Twobells]

M&S do a really soft cup one, no wires but really comfy.

[sandrann in reply to Twobells]

Thank you Twobells, yes I do have 3 of those bras but they're now too small and M&S don't make them in my present cup size.

Regards

Sandra

[Sina-6491]

I wore sports bras for a fare while after my opp.

No one at the Bristol hospital advised on bras and I couldn't find a front loader anywhere. I certainly wouldn't have been able to buy the £73 ones evan if I had spotted them. I am also very big busted.

Yes the sports bras I wore I could put on from my feet. They weren't too loose or too tight. They made me feel supported and safe.

My scar healed really well and farley quick. I think it loojs pretty good too.

I kept it dry for the first few weeks. I only mousturised it when I could just lay there and relax with plenty of air surounding the area. I wore no bra of any kind for at least an hour after I mousturised. Just wore dressing gown or towel 😊

Good luck on finding what you are looking for 😊

[sandrann in reply to Sina-6491]

Thank you for your reply Sina. It's interesting to read everyone's experiences especially regards moisturising as I've been advised not to use any type of moisturiser/oil etc. When I next speak with the cardiac rehab team I'll mention how several folk have/are using moisturiser and maybe I will be advised differently.

Kind regards

Sandra

[Sina-6491 in reply to sandrann]

Yes same here, I read up on when you can moisturise a scar of any kind.

The advice was not to moisturise until the wound was completely clear of any kind of weeping. Basically the wound/scar should be practically healed.

I can't really remember how long mine took, but I do remember I didn't moisturise that area for a fare while.

Evan now, I don't moisturise that area straight aftet shower/bath. Or if the climate is a bit on the warm side. As you probs already know, a good moisturiser rehydrates the skin. So if the scar is weeping or wet in anyway. You wont need to hydrate it. It would be too much and go soggy.

Good luck with your investigations. Let us know how you get on, Jo 😊