Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGarment TypesWhat to Look ForWhere to BuyInsurance Coverage
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Garment Types
What to Look For
Where to Buy
Insurance Coverage
Post-mastectomy bras offer comfort following surgery, whether you choose to havebreast reconstructionor use a prosthesis.
Mastectomy bras have soft inner linings, which prevent pain or skin sensitivity on healing incisions or scars. Some come equipped with pockets to accommodatesurgical drainsas well.
When choosing a post-mastectomy garment, comfort and healing are top priorities.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Types of Post-Mastectomy Garments
Various types of mastectomy garments are available, and you and your surgeon should discuss which is best. In general, however, look for bras with soft seams and no underwires, made from breathable materials.
Most women can be fitted for aprosthesisonce their incisions are healed and the swelling is gone. A prosthesis, or breast form, is a quick and easy way to fill the space where your breast once was. They come in many sizes, shapes, and materials and vary in price.
Using a lightweight prosthesis after amastectomydecreases pressure on the incisions.
Front-Closing Soft Cup Bras
Since breast surgery sometimes affects yourshoulder rotation, you may have trouble pulling a bra over your head or reaching the hooks on a bra that closes in the back.
Soft cup bras will stretch to fit over surgical dressings and provide light compression on incisions. The front-closure option allows for ease when taking the bra on and off. Due to swelling, you will likely need to keep the bra on the loosest hook at first but can tighten it as swelling improves.
Compression Bras and Vests
Your breast surgeon may recommend a compression bra or vest to wear after surgery. Compression garments help prevent swelling and fluid buildup as you heal.
The right compression bra or vest will hold your skin in place and prevent stretching around your stitches. This reduces the chance of damaging the incisions and needing a surgical revision.
Although a pressure bra may seem uncomfortable, the added support makes mobility easier.
Post-Surgical Tops and Camisoles
These soft, roomy tops are loose and should not interfere with drains or scar tissue.Also, as your incisions heal, upgrading to lacey and decorative camisoles may suit your style better.
Custom T-shirts, nightgowns, and pajama tops are also designed with bra cups and breast pockets.
Here are some features to consider when buying post-mastectomy bras and camisoles:
Where to Find Bras and Camisoles
If possible, shop in person for post-mastectomy products as opposed to online. Finding a board-certified mastectomy fitter can also guarantee a perfect-fitting mastectomy bra.
Some medical centers have boutiques where you can be properly fitted for a bra and prosthesis. There are also independent stores.
Some organizations provide free mastectomy products or services, like:
How Often to Replace Post-Mastectomy Bras?Whether you decide on reconstruction or prosthesis, you will need to replace your bra as your chest and breasts change. It can take one full year to recover from breast cancer surgery, and your chest/breast shape and size will evolve during that time.
How Often to Replace Post-Mastectomy Bras?
Whether you decide on reconstruction or prosthesis, you will need to replace your bra as your chest and breasts change. It can take one full year to recover from breast cancer surgery, and your chest/breast shape and size will evolve during that time.
Many insurance companies will cover the cost of post-mastectomy bras and prostheses—if written as a prescription from your oncologist.
If you have insurance, ask your surgeon, oncologist, or plastic surgeon about local bra fitting and post-mastectomy garment providers. Many boutiques and companies will help submit your insurance claim and, once filed, will only charge you a deductible or copay after your insurance settles.
Regardless of when you had surgery,Medicarepartially reimburses you for post-mastectomy prostheses and bras.
Some insurance plans will pay for more than one bra yearly. Check with your insurance company for more information.
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)
TheWHCRArequires most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies to also cover breast reconstruction for women with breast cancer. Under the WHCRA, mastectomy benefits cover:
Mastectomy benefits may have a yearly deductible and may require some out-of-pocket costs.
Summary
There are many options for post-mastectomy bras and other garments. Before deciding on a garment, discuss which styles will work best for you with your surgeon.
Design elements like wide bands, breathable fabrics, and seamless styling are important to look for when making your selection.
Comfort and healing are the foremost goals, so finding a professional mastectomy fitter is important; ask your healthcare provider about local post-mastectomy garment fitters and providers. Some organizations supply free mastectomy products or services.
Cost can be a significant issue. Insurance will most likely cover the cost of post-mastectomy bras and prostheses—if written as a prescription—and Medicare will cover part of post-surgery garment costs.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yano T, Shimizu D, Ishii Y, Ito O, Sawaizumi M.A breast reconstruction using a breast prosthesis and capsular flap for a lymphocele patient.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(10):e1534. Published 2017 Oct 24. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001534Bradbury C, Parvaiz MA, Sircar T.Innovative postoperative bra for patients with drains following breast surgery.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014;96(3):241. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2014.96.3.241Breastcancer.org.Mastectomy.Lee CH, Chung SY, Kim WY, Yang SN.Effect of breast cancer surgery on chest tightness and upper limb dysfunction.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(19):e15524. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015524Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Teodorczyk J, Gruszecka A, Wydra J, Lass P.Relevance of low-pressure compression corsets in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1177–1187. doi:10.2147/PPA.S108326Khan SM, Smeulders MJ, Van der horst CM.Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(10):CD007258. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007258.pub3Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society. TLC.Hair loss and mastectomy products.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yano T, Shimizu D, Ishii Y, Ito O, Sawaizumi M.A breast reconstruction using a breast prosthesis and capsular flap for a lymphocele patient.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(10):e1534. Published 2017 Oct 24. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001534Bradbury C, Parvaiz MA, Sircar T.Innovative postoperative bra for patients with drains following breast surgery.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014;96(3):241. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2014.96.3.241Breastcancer.org.Mastectomy.Lee CH, Chung SY, Kim WY, Yang SN.Effect of breast cancer surgery on chest tightness and upper limb dysfunction.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(19):e15524. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015524Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Teodorczyk J, Gruszecka A, Wydra J, Lass P.Relevance of low-pressure compression corsets in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1177–1187. doi:10.2147/PPA.S108326Khan SM, Smeulders MJ, Van der horst CM.Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(10):CD007258. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007258.pub3Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society. TLC.Hair loss and mastectomy products.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yano T, Shimizu D, Ishii Y, Ito O, Sawaizumi M.A breast reconstruction using a breast prosthesis and capsular flap for a lymphocele patient.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(10):e1534. Published 2017 Oct 24. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001534Bradbury C, Parvaiz MA, Sircar T.Innovative postoperative bra for patients with drains following breast surgery.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014;96(3):241. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2014.96.3.241Breastcancer.org.Mastectomy.Lee CH, Chung SY, Kim WY, Yang SN.Effect of breast cancer surgery on chest tightness and upper limb dysfunction.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(19):e15524. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015524Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Teodorczyk J, Gruszecka A, Wydra J, Lass P.Relevance of low-pressure compression corsets in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1177–1187. doi:10.2147/PPA.S108326Khan SM, Smeulders MJ, Van der horst CM.Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(10):CD007258. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007258.pub3
Yano T, Shimizu D, Ishii Y, Ito O, Sawaizumi M.A breast reconstruction using a breast prosthesis and capsular flap for a lymphocele patient.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(10):e1534. Published 2017 Oct 24. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001534
Bradbury C, Parvaiz MA, Sircar T.Innovative postoperative bra for patients with drains following breast surgery.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014;96(3):241. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2014.96.3.241
Breastcancer.org.Mastectomy.
Lee CH, Chung SY, Kim WY, Yang SN.Effect of breast cancer surgery on chest tightness and upper limb dysfunction.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(19):e15524. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015524
Hansdorfer-Korzon R, Teodorczyk J, Gruszecka A, Wydra J, Lass P.Relevance of low-pressure compression corsets in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1177–1187. doi:10.2147/PPA.S108326
Khan SM, Smeulders MJ, Van der horst CM.Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(10):CD007258. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007258.pub3
American Cancer Society. TLC.Hair loss and mastectomy products.
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