I am fairly new on here and I’ve finally seen the consultant and I was told surgery would be in around 3 months.
So ladies what bra did you get to wear after bypass surgery?
I also have a large chest so needs to be supportive.
I’ve looked about but there are so many it’s hard to choose, I do have sports bras but don’t think they would be suitable.
thanks in advance 😁
I bought myself 3 over the head bras but I actually had no problem putting my usual under wire bras back on.
I know we are all different but I was lucky, I am quite voluptuous in that dept so was glad I could wear my usual bras.
Thanks for your reply to be honest I struggle getting my current bra on so I definitely think front fastener.
Did you find it ok putting it over your head? It’s the unknown not knowing what I can or can’t do.
Are you ok now?
Thanks 😁
I'm struggling to remember if I just put my hands behind me and fasten it from behind as I do now or fasten it at the front then twist it around. I never needed to put it over my head. The ones I bought had no fastening they were just pull on but I never used them - they went to the charity shop.
hi have you seen this
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Front loading might seem the easiest to manage?
I have no experience of surgery though.
👍
Thanks for replying I will have a look at the link but think I may have read it.
I’ve looked everywhere to try and find what’s out there.
Thank you 😁
Hi. Lifting your arm up initially will be difficult and then the numbness along chest wound will feel very odd for a few weeks too. I invested in just a couple of non wired front fastening. If that’s any help. Hope it all goes well for you. Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for replying I just thought I’d ask on here as I have quite a big chest I don’t want them hanging at my belly button 😂 so don’t know what to get.
How long did it take you to recover 😁
Hi Biddledeboo. Thankfully I am not big busted so didn’t have to worry to much about support just keeping from falling falling open and pulling the wound open just for the first 2 / 3 weeks while it was knitting together. The odd numbness along scar you may have to experiment with as each person I think feels different sensations. But I just my normal unwired bras and some make up pads for some softness between the boos !!! But all in all whatever discomfort you experience will be short lived in relation to how well you will be feeling. By pass gives you back so much in feeling well again. Just be patient with the healing progress and don’t rush things a first. Always hear to lend an ear. Take Care and good luck with op x
Hello again just thought I went through the same pre op getting things, although I only had a few days to do it. But I also bought a couple of night shirts. Better for those first few days with the drains and any other wiring !!! Etc.. just easy and less painful for you and nurses, one nurse even said she wished patients thought about those kind of things. My daughter has just had breast surgery following chemo and had packed normal pj’s I bought her pj’s with jacket and she admitted they were brilliant and a lot more comfy.
HiI got 2 from Asda online, less than £20, couldn't face paying silly money for the BHF ones . They were front fastening and came in a choice of colours. The ugliest underwear I've ever owned, but needs must eh? My girls are pretty bulky so I got a large.I wore them for a about a month post surgery and then switched to a non wired bralette from M & S which was much better and then a few weeks after that back to my normal bras
Joanne
😊
Thanks Joanne I can see asda do a 2 pack I did buy one from Sainsbury to try but that was awful and useless no support at all. Will have a look at asda ones.
Thank you
marks and sparks have a front loading post surgery bra? Sorry if repeating other posts. Hope you find something.
cuiwear.com/products/bhis-p...
Not good with technology so hope this link works. I’m wearing this bra as we speak I am 10days post CABG and am finding it very comfortable
Thank you for your reply how are you feeking in general? I am so nervous about the whole thing keep tearing up just bloody thinking about it.
I have looked at the bra and I did order another medical one which was around £50 but it had no support at all.
Wishing you a speedy recovery 
Hello. Sorry for 'jumping' in here but were the Medical Ones any good if you don't mind me asking? I have a Pacemaker as well and have to be careful with the Metal or so I'm told. Thanks.
You honestly just need something light with some support. Pack of 3 bras from Amazon were great for me. I didn't spend a lot of money .
Check this out! amzn.eu/d/fVjjAA1
Thank you for your reply I will have a look on amazon hope youre ok
I am good thanks and had a heart valve replacement June 2022. I would say I'm big busted too but the nurses on the ward said that was a good bra to help. I like them because you can pull them down as well as of over your head. I hope it all helps you decide what to buy. You'll be okay after op so take things easy. Recovery in the Spring will be lovely for you x
Sorry I cant help as such but it might work. When my mum had a masectomy and needed comfort in the chest area she bought post surgery bras. They were soft, comfortable and how no wires. I think she got some from john lewis and marks. Also when I was breasfeeding I bought nursing bras. Some close up at the front. Again very soft and supportive.
Thanks very much for your reply you cant beat Marks
Hi there, following my mastectomy I wore the soft post op ones from Azda, but following my triple bypass I couldn't bear a bra at all. Incision still painful 15 months on! I'm quite big in that direction but just wore a cami for months. See how you go but have some post op ones at the ready for when you can tolerate one. Good luck with your surgery
Thanks very much for your reply
Hello Biddledeboo and welcome! Your question takes me back to one of my first postings on here pre surgery- as a large busomed lady I was keen to get support that would work for me. I’m narrow in back and shoulders and I tried the BHF recommended bra but it was much too wide at the shoulder and didn’t support me. I then bought a bra (also front loading) from recoheart.com which was excellent. The only disadvantage is the hooks and eyes on these - so small I needed my glasses to put them on! However, 6 days in ICU wearing only a hospital gown and losing quite a bit of weight ( and I was slim when I went in!) meant my breasts were much smaller, and once home I found to my suprise a tight but stretchy vest was comfortable and supportive and I eventually gave up wearing the Reco bra and went on to a sports bra for a couple of months before returning to underwired.
I did order that bra but didnt like it only cause it felt like there was no support, plus my eyes arent great either thanks for your reply
HelloAfter my open heart surgery I was provided with a very useful item by the ward (sorry can't remember it's name). It was like a big stretchy thick bandage fastened with velcro, which wrapped around your chest for support. As I am large in the chest area, this stopped my boobs pulling too much on my sternum and I used these for several weeks on discharge. My surgeon suggested using a sports bra for support, which I then did. I used back fastening ones I already had, but put a pad over my scar to ensure there was no digging in.
I wonder what that was they gave you I suppose I can ask when i go for assessment before operation. Thank you
Hi, I bought the BHS one that was recommended and only wore it once as it rubbed on the drain scars. I'm a 34E and found the sleep bras from Asda were the best option as they were easy to put on, gave some support (you are lying down a lot in the first few days) and they didn't rub anywhere as soft. I switched to a front fastening non wired one after a few weeks and then back to my normal underwired ones once the drain sites had healed. I got a lot of breast ache post op and looking back I probably should have put a bra on sooner but I didn't wear one at all for the first 4 days as it was too much hassle with all the drips and drains. Front fastening would have been my choice I think as putting something over your head and through the wires / tubes would not be easy.Best wishes for the surgery.
Thank you for your reply will get looking this evening, and thanks for your well wishes
Hi. I know exactly how you feel. I have large boobs but for the first 2 weeks after my bypass I had to go bra less because of the stitches. I did wear tighter sleeveless tops though. I then got some really soft bras from M&S which had a big cup size. They didn’t look attractive but they were so comfy and did the trick. I remember I wore them at night for comfort too. I’ve never worn underwires since my op. I treated my self to a trip to Bravissimo a few months after my op and minnow buy from them online. I hope this helps as, for us ladies, Men don’t have this problem.
Since a frozen shoulder a few years ago, I have had to fasten my bra at the front.
Good luck in your search. Take care and hope you are improving day by day. 🤗
Thanks very much for your reply I have no had the op yet they said in around 3 months.
ok. You’ll be prepared. Mine was very sudden so nothing planned 🙈 Good luck x
Hi just read Rhino’s reply. Yes agree with her. I had my op 8 years ago but the advice for females then, was when op was done they will put a bra on you as you will be lying on your back for a few days and your breasts falling to the side could open up your wound. So front openers are easier for this to be done while you are still under sedation etc.
thanks for your reply I’ve ordered a few from marks and Spencer to try.
I didn't wear one at all for a few weeks, afterwards I wore some nice soft ones,very cheap from Asda! I found underwires caught on my scar and rubbed badly.
thanks for your reply I’m gonna have a look in asda at weekend
I am 4 months post aortic valve replacement, pacemaker and cardioversion and 40J bra size, I bought several front closure bras and the BHIS bras recommended on BHF were the most comfortable and supportive following surgery as they prevented breasts pulling on wound. After about a month I was able to wear the other soft front closing bras. Behind back and above head arm movements were restricted so front fastening essential.
It was nearly 3 months before I could wear my normal underwire bras.
The hospital did not have a bra band big enough and put two together for immediate post op support but it was very cumbersome, not very supportive and I changed to the BHIS bras as soon as I was able to.
Hope this is helpful, good luck with your surgery.
Sue
I keep having a look at these ones I’ve ordered a couple of surgical ones from marks and Spencer’s to try.
Thank you
hi. Not sure if what you’re having is similar to me. I had OHS 6 weeks ago. Are they breaking your sternum? If so, then I would recommend a bra with no wires. I brought front fasteners before I went in but been unable to wear them as they do up right over my scar. I’m very big too and what has been so painful for me the weight of my boobs they drag down thus pulling scar area down, if that makes sense. I was told to wear a bra 24/7 for a month. Good luck.
I think I’m having Lima to lad artery bypass so I think they are doing the breaking.
For some reason this week I’m an emotional wreck can’t stop thinking about it and I’ve not got a date yet!
I am a total over thinker and I’m not doing myself any favours!
How are you now?😁
plus I was told not allowed to raise my arms above my head so pull on bras were a no go
hi. I bought a few front fasteners from M&S which were really comfortable. I’m an F cup so needed the support. Don’t forget to tick to avoid paying VAT. M&S also do sleep bras which are very comfortable and I still use them. Good luck with your surgery. X
thanks for your reply I’ve just ordered 2 from their to try 😁
first few weeks I wore just a cami ,don’t go for any underwire d so much pressure on scar
Hello- you’ve had some really good replies on here so far. My experience as a busty wench G cup. Was I had an emergency bypass- so no time to prepare and had to send my sister on a mission to find bras. First of all I came round in ICU to nurses putting me in some kind of wrap around support that did up with Velcro. This stopped my heavy bosom from sagging to the side and pulling against my scar. My sister could not find a front fastener in my size so had to order online and this took a few days. But our very helpful local bra specialist recommended an Anita Comfort bra that was purchased and adapted by a kind friend, cut at the front and made into a front fastener and it worked very well. I continued to wear the Anita comfort bras in their soft cotton for several months in a size up at night, as I found my boobs pulled against my healing scar. I also wore the support the hospital put around me on top of my bra for quite a while afterwards as well. So I would highly recommend a nice soft bra for afterwards as well as a front fastener. I have never been able to wear underwires since my op 7 years ago. But you’ve got 3 months to find things before your op which is great. Good luck with your operation and your recovery 😊
Thanks for your reply yes I’m a G cup too so definitely want to be sorted for this so I’m ordering some to try.
Thank you 😁
Hi had my recent Bypass surgery, the hospital at pre op measured me for bra and provided the BHIS recommended one after surgery free.It was fairly comfortable but loads of hooks and eyes. The "bra lady" at M&S recommended a bra they sell with a zip down the front rather than hooks. It is £22 Product number T337154. It is in black or white and up to size 42E. I have found that comfortable and very easy with the zip especially at appointments with Doctor/nurse/hospital etc following op. then as people above had said the soft non wired bras from M&S or Asda are good. Hope all goes well.
That first option was never offered to me, maybe it is a Regional thing.
As I said, I was lucky as I went straight back to wearing an underwire back hook fastening bra. it is good to prepare for any eventuality though but don't think everyone needs it.
I am a very busty lady and struggle with good fitting bras anyway so was glad I didn't have to shop around.
Thanks for your reply and all info I’ve ordered a couple from marks to try and gonna have a look in asda.
The BHF ones look good may have to order to try one.
Thanks😁
They advise you to wear a front fastening bra cos you won't be able to move your arms round your back. I couldn't wear one for 6 weeks and have just started wearing a soft sports type. Everything too sore at first.
yes I definitely couldn’t do a back fasten one I’m bad enough now.
Thanks for your reply
Hello. I just wore Crop Tops but I really don't think I gave my Sternum enough support. I didn't have any Cardiac Rehab either only a couple of Phone Calls from a Cardiac Nurse because it was smack bang in the midst of the Pandemic. It will be 3 years this year in September I had the By-Pass and I really don't think my Sternum has knitted back to what it should be plus I really don't think it's going to now. I do regret not wearing a ',proper' Bra though! On the Positive Side though, my Heart is doing great lol 😂
wow that must of been tough doing a bypass in the middle of pandemic.
Yes I will definitely get a proper bra as mine are too big to go with out I need support 😁
Well it wasn't the best time no. I was in for 6 Weeks though because they decided to implant a Pacemaker afterwards but I got through it and that's the main thing!
Am I the only person who went straight back to my underwire back fastening bras?
I never knew how lucky I was!
omg did you really! I hate wearing under wire bras but needs must when you have big ones 😂
Lol 😂. I do too, hence the Crop Top!
I am afraid it's in the family!! I would have loved to wear vests without bras - no such luck! I had to visit the wound clinic for a few weeks after my op to take the stitches out of the 3 drains, one was infected so took some time to heal, it was easier to treat with a bra rather than a crop top type bra.
I was discharged from ITU on the Tuesday following my Friday bypass and had to go to the would clinic on that Thursday.
No district nurse coming to see me, luckily I had a friend stay as obviously I couldn't drive.
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