Upon undergoing mastectomy—either as a curative measure for breast cancer or lymphedema—getting a perfectly fitting bra poses a great challenge. A fitting bra helps improve the healing process by facilitating scar draining.
Most mastectomy patients have a hard time finding the right bra size. As such, the patients turn to custom mastectomy bra fitting.
Custom mastectomy bras have a wide variety of benefits ranging from improving drain to enhancing the overall chest appearance. Hence, a custom mastectomy bra is designed according to the unique requirements (specifications) of the patient.
In this article, we will describe the step-by-step procedure for fitting a custom mastectomy bra.
Get the Right Band
Primarily, a bra’s band is the most important part to focus on if you want a best-fitting bra. As such, it is crucial that the band fits just right, not being too loose or too tight.
There are two major ways of ensuring that the band fits correctly. First, you can choose to manually measure your chest area using a rigid string that does not stretch once subjected to tension. After taking the measurements, transfer them onto a tape measure, and with the measurement readings, get the appropriate band size from a bra fitter.
Alternatively, you can opt to try on different bras from your bra fitter. As such, it is important to ensure that your mastectomy bras have enough room to accommodate your breasts and breast forms.
If you want to have a perfect fitting bra band, use the middle hooks when trying out different bras to ensure that the bra can accommodate expansion when your breast(s) swell up, and also downsize after you have drained the mastectomy scar(s).
Check the Straps
Bra straps go hand in hand with the bra band to support your breast and breast forms. In that case, ensure that the straps are sized correctly; thin straps dig into your shoulders (especially if your breast forms are large), causing bruising and red strap markings.
Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that your mastectomy bra straps are adjustable. Adjustable straps enable you to position your bra correctly to accommodate size shifting once the mastectomy scars start swelling.
It is crucial for your bra straps to maintain their position on your shoulders comfortably. Falling straps are an indicator that the bra in question is a size too big, and you must downsize a bit. On the other hand, straps digging into your shoulders indicate a small mastectomy bra that needs a size-up.
Full Coverage
Mastectomy bras are designed to accommodate breast forms and in-built bra cups. Hence, it is important to ensure that your bra covers your breast forms or breast(s) completely. Half-covered breasts and breast forms may cause significant discomfort when the breasts start swelling up.
Ensure that the mastectomy bra cups have no wrinkles once you insert your breast forms in the pockets as wrinkles are a clear indication that you need to size down the bra.
On the contrary, half-covered breast forms and spilling breasts indicate that the mastectomy bra is a size too small, and it is time to tune up a size.
Align the Cups to the Centre
A perfectly fitting mastectomy bra must have the center front sitting in between the breasts as centrally as it possibly can.
As such, the easiest way to spot a mismatch between your breasts and the bra size is by looking at how the band aligns once you wear the bra. A gap in between the bra cups is unnecessary, and clearly shows that the bra is small for you. Additionally, if the band is pulling away from your body, it is time to try another mastectomy bra that is one size larger.
Refer to Your Breast
Most mastectomy patients make the mistake of fitting a bra with reference to the breast form instead of their natural breast. Conversely, your natural breast is subject to size shifting as a result of swelling or body weight fluctuations.
An experienced bra fitter usually recommends fitting your bra cups with reference to your natural breast form to balance with your natural breast.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, mastectomy is a nightmare that most women have to encounter in life. However, a perfectly fitting mastectomy bras that accommodate their breast forms can go a long way in helping restore their seemingly lost femininity.
