Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

Bra After Sternotomy 24-7???

BusyDiva
0 Recommendations

I just set my surgery date yesterday (November 30) and was instructed that I had to find a supportive, non-underwire (an oxymoron if you ask me) bra after the surgery 24-7. The reason for this is that when I lie on my back the weight of my breasts will pull my sternotomy in opposite directions. Makes sense, but I just cannot imagine wearing a bra after sternotomy. Does anyone have experience with this, or perhaps a recommendation on a specific bra that works well for this?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Surgery Pain Lymphedema

9 replies

sternum

Good morning BusyDiva:

I might be able to help you. I had my sternotomy in May of 2008. You will most definitly need a very supportive, front closing bra and you will be wearing it 24-7 except when in the shower. The front closing part is essential since it will be difficult to twist your arms behind your back. Will you be having a muscle flap done as well? Please let me know.

Playtex is the one I find most comfortable in a bra. One of their 18-hour types would be terrific. But remember the front-closing is a must.

Personally, I find that since the ribs and chest wall are unstable, my best choice is a full support brieflette made by Grenier, model 6549A. It gives me enough support around my ribs to make breathing and moving easier, but without constraining or binding. Trial and error led me to that one. You may find another one more comfortable and supporting. But I still wear the regular length Playtex 18-hour one in bed at night.

Let me know if this makes sense or helps in any way. Any other conserns let me know

Take care and be blest --- Gloria ---

ceebee

for me, finding a front closing bra was a bit of a challenge...but i did find sports bras that zip in the front and also have a flap between the zipper and your body that protects the incision.

BusyDiva

Thank you for such prompt replies! I'll definitely be searching the internet for the Genier and will revisit the Playtex web site now that I know what I'm looking for (isn't Roz the Fit Specialist a hoot?). My sister promised to take me bra shopping, so we will also be on the lookout for a zipper closing. That sounds pretty managable.

BusyDiva

I'm sorry, Gloria. I forgot to answer you question about the muscle flap. I really don't know what that is so I'm not sure if I'm having it. I'm having surgery to repair my mitral valve. I'm opting for a sternotomy because it is more difficult to repair than replace a mitral valve. I want my doctor to have easy access. I'm also hoping it will reduce my time under anesthesia and on the heart-lung machine.

sternum

Busy Diva

I may have my terms mixed up.
Are they removing the sternum or just opening it for easy access and then closing it again?
That changes the terms and makes it a whole different procedure
.
My sternum was removed because of osteomylitise and a muscle flap was done to cover the hole it left in my chest. A muscle flap takes the pec muscles preferably, and pulls them over the hole in order to protect the organs behind it. Either way an excellent quality, front closing, non under-wired, support bra is essential.

Take care --- Gloria ---

Gilloz

Hi BusyDiva

I know it sounds painful to wear a bra post surgery, but believe me, not wearing one is worse.
The best I saw when researching was one from Canada which I couldn't access easily being from the UK. You may have more luck.

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Specialized-Bra-for-Women-Post-He art-Surgery-15246-1/

Obviously, you need more support the bigger your breast are.
The Enell bra looks good for bigger ladies.

Good luck

Gill

Winglover

We use a zipper in the front bra for large breasted women following heart surgery where I work. Unsure of the make, but I will check it out my next day on.

Asurvivor

I could not wear a bra for years! It hurt too much, even the front closure. I wore sports bras without the closures, just slip ons. I could wear a bathing suit top. Odd? If my breasts touched each other across my sternum I was in pain.

After 6 years I was able to tolerate a front closure with wires. Believe me, everything hurt after my open heart surgery, except my ribs. I can still feel the wires through my skin.

It's almost impossible to find a front closure now, but I can wear a rear closure now, whereas 8 years ago, I bought a whole lot of new rear closure bras and not one was wearable, so I gave them away ($100 worth of bras.)

Try what works.

bloome

I am 2yrs. post surgery and had a hard time finding a support bra that was comfortable!! To make matters worse I had to have lymph nodes removed because of cancer and have lymphedema in my left breast now which means alot of swelling talk about pain!!!! have finally found what is called a comfort cami at a company called AmeriMark It is a secure elastic and is comfortable for sleeping. I tried to call and get the item number but will have to call back tomorrow, it is somewhat Like a sports bra no closures but you can step into it or put it on over your head. IT was a God "sent thing"and only cost $14.95 they hold up well and come in different colors! Will let you know#s later ,.the mailing was only 2 days.

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

Group leaders

You