For women about to undergo breast surgery, your doctor may have recommended that you wear a post-surgical bra to reduce discomfort during your recovery. Depending on the type of surgery, you may be expected to wear a post-surgical bra all day, every day for up to six weeks, which means you need to find the most comfortable bra possible. Here are five ways that a post-surgical bra helps to reduce discomfort.
1. Reduces the Risk of Lymphedema
One of the biggest risks following a mastectomy or lymph node removal is lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluid builds up in the tissues surrounding the surgical site and can extend down the arms and legs causing swelling, tingling, and numbness. It can also put you at risk of infection and interfere with your normal daily activities.
A post-surgical bra can reduce the risk of developing lymphedema by using gentle compression at key points around the breast and underarms to move lymph fluid more efficiently around the body and avoiding build up.
2. Simple Post-Surgical Care
Mastectomy surgery requires significant recovery time, and it is important to ensure that you can clean and care for your surgical sites during that time. A post-surgical bra provides you with support while offering features that allow for easy post-surgical care.
Flexible stretch cotton fabric, front closures, and over-the-shoulder Velcro straps offer easy access for nursing staff to clean and change wound dressings and keep any drainage ports in place. Once you have been discharged, you will be able to continue to keep your surgical sites clean and cared for to prevent infection and speed up the healing process.
3. Easy Dressing
After mastectomy surgery, your upper body will feel tender and stiff, and you may experience a limited range of motion. This can make dressing in traditional bras painful and difficult. Post-surgical bras feature zippered or hook-and-eye front closures and Velcro straps that fasten over the shoulders which means that you can quickly and easily dress on without assistance.
You may also experience some swelling after your surgery which will reduce as you recover. To make dressing easier a post-surgical bra that is adjustable at the front allows you to adjust your bra to achieve the most comfortable fit possible.
Once you have recovered, and you have regained some mobility, there is a huge range of sports-style bras that are easy to slip on and off and are constructed from soft cotton to minimize irritation to your skin. Sports or leisure post-mastectomy bras are also designed to hold light foam leisure breast prosthesis.
4. Comfortable Material and Design
Post-surgical mastectomy bras are constructed from breathable cotton and elastane blend which keeps your skin clean and dry while still offering a snug, supportive fit. Many styles of post-surgical bra also feature an ultra soft cotton or toweled lining that is designed to wick away moisture and regulate your temperature.
The wide straps help to evenly distribute the weight of remaining breast tissue or implants across your shoulders to prevent neck and back problems.
5. Aids Healing
The advanced compression technology strategically applies gentle pressure at key points on the body to not only prevent lymphedema but also to boost blood circulation to the surgical sites and increase nutrient uptake which can aid in healing.
For women who have had reconstructive surgery along with a mastectomy, the compression technology helps to keep implants in place to prevent dislocation and retain their shape.
Final Thoughts
There is a huge range of post-surgical bras available from several trusted brands available at providers of mastectomy products. However, before purchasing a post-surgical bra, the best option is to go for a professional fitting with a certified fitter. A fitter can accurately determine the best fit and style for your body so you can have the most comfortable recovery possible.
