When I worked in Kensington, about a million years ago, I remember hopping on the bus to visit Rigby & Peller in Knightsbridge and having my first ever proper bra fitting. I’d been wearing the wrong size for YEARS. According to some research by lingerie retailer Boux Avenue, I’m not alone. A whopping 81% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, which means that ONLY 19% of women are wearing the right-sized bra. When I first got properly fitted, I could not believe the difference a well-fitting bra made! This is when I went from a mere liking of my boobs to a full-on love affair that has cooled a little since breast cancer but is returning.
During my lumpectomy, my breast surgeon had to cut a big chunk of my breast away to get the tumour out and the margins clear. He cut around 200g out, which leaves a big, old hole. I didn’t opt for a mastectomy but decided to go for a ‘flap reconstruction’ (a breast reconstruction technique that uses tissue from another part of the body – in my case, my flank – to create a new breast mound). The result is quite remarkable and I love my new boob.
I have a huge scar under my arm that runs from under my left breast to my back but if I don’t stand naked and wave my arms in the air, you’d never know. The surgery was done with such precision and discretion that my scar will always be under my bra or swimsuit.
After my breast reconstruction (which was a massive procedure), I wore soft, front-fastening post-surgery bras. In fact, they’re so comfy, I still wear them! I found that soft fabric is important because of the scar and just general soreness. The front-fastening was so handy – and it saved having to reach around the back or stretching unnecessarily with restricted arm movement. All underwiring had to go at this time, too, and I would rather stick pens in my eyes than wear an underwired bra again. The thought of the end of the wire poking my scar makes me wince.
Fortunately, there are some fantastic post-surgery bras out there, as well as some brilliant non-wired ones. I bought my post-surgery bras from George at Asda – they come in a two-pack, have a hook and eye front-fastening and are lightly padded (but the padding can be removed and a breast form prosthesis added). The cups are also cotton-lined for comfort. In case you didn’t know, anyone who has had surgery for breast cancer does not have to pay VAT on their post-surgery bras.
As my breast healed, I went to M&S to get more of a ‘proper’ bra for leaving the house. They have some brilliant non-wired options that are sculpted and supportive and the ones I chose have a very soft mesh band that’s super comfy against my scar. M&S has a great selection of post-surgery products and when purchasing these products you help them donate to Breast Cancer Now. Getting fitted for a post-surgery bra can be done in-person or online, using the M&S Bra Fit service. “All our bra fitters are trained in post-surgery fitting, they understand the wide range of different needs depending on the treatment and recovery stage of the customer,” says Mhairi Leach, M&S lingerie expert.
Remember, getting professionally fitted can make a world of difference, and there are many great options available that cater specifically to post-surgery needs. Finding the right post-surgery bra is not just about comfort – even though this is crucial – it’s about reclaiming your confidence and ensuring proper support during recovery and beyond.
