Finding Confidence and Comfort: Post-Mastectomy Solutions

Even before my multiple breast cancer surgeries, I wasn’t a fan of either bra or bathing suit shopping. I’m sure many of you can relate! After my double mastectomy, though, shopping for bras and bathing suits became a nightmare. My initial reconstruction failed, and I was too traumatized to pursue additional surgery for years.

Here I was, 42 years-old with two toddlers at home and no breasts. Many women choose to remain flat-chested post-mastectomy, and some of them opt for beautiful tattoos. We’ll feature some of those tattoos in a later blog. I hadn’t made up my mind about how to proceed. At that time, I personally felt more confident using some type of breast form to give the appearance of still having breasts.

Initially, while still healing from the multiple surgeries I had due to complications post the double mastectomy, I used very simple cotton inserts in a post-surgery undershirt. I called the cotton inserts my “puffs”. They looked nothing like a real breast, but provided me with some semblance of normalcy. 

Breast Prostheses

As my healing progressed, and I became more active, I wanted something more natural looking – and feeling. With guidance from a breast cancer specialty shop, I was introduced to the world of breast prostheses, bras, and many other post-mastectomy products. Be sure to ask your doctor for a similar store near you. I was truly amazed at how much some of the prostheses looked like real breasts. There are even custom breast forms.

 I was astonished – and enormously grateful - to learn that a large portion of the costs of both the bras and the prostheses were subsidized by my insurance. 

While these breast forms were great for everyday use, they could get very hot during the summer heat and humidity and during exercise. Some newer models include ventilation to help offset the heat, but be sure to research and ask about the cooling properties incorporated into any prosthesis you’re considering. Another drawback of everyday prostheses is that they can be heavy, especially for women who have larger breasts.

Mastectomy Lingerie

Today, you can find many mastectomy bra options online. I recommend going to a specialty store near you first, to consult with someone who is trained in custom fitting and knowledgeable about insurance coverage. 

These bras have inside pockets that the prostheses - or even the “puffs” - can slide into.

Mastectomy Swimwear

Another drawback to everyday breast prothesis, is they can get quite soggy when swimming. Breast cancer had taken a lot from me, but one thing I wouldn’t forfeit was my love for swimming, especially in the ocean. After much trial and error and a few instances of makeshift boobs popping out of my swimsuit in public, I stumbled upon a much lighter, water-proof type of prosthesis designed to be worn during exercise and swimming.

These were a game changer for me and helped significantly in my long journey back to feeling some normalcy. 

I was only 42 at the time of my mastectomy, and I wanted a bathing suit that made me feel young, active, and dare I say, even sexy. While there were a few options for swimsuits with pockets for breast forms back in 2008, they were definitely geared towards a much older audience. It was nearly unbearable to imagine myself on the beach in a swimsuit that was clearly designed for the age group of women most likely to have a mastectomy, 65+.

Enter Lands’ End - my savior for mastectomy swimwear. Even back then in 2008, they were offering swimwear that was far more youthful. Today, Lands End continues to offer cute and youthful mastectomy bathing suits for women of all ages. 

Team PX Empower did some research and found a few other resources and options for mastectomy swimwear online. 

Amoena is a leading post-surgical breast care company. Their website is a wealth of knowledge with articles, advice, training for medical professionals, and there’s even a chat feature while shopping. In addition to mastectomy bras, clothing, prostheses, they have a fantastic selection of swimwear.

Swimwear Galore  For a mainstream swimwear store, we were impressed with their selection of mastectomy suits to accommodate breast prosthetics and their inventory of waterproof breast forms. 

I’m thrilled to see more companies and options for women with breast cancer to feel beautiful and confident. If you have favorite resources or products I didn’t share, please let me know so we can add them to our breast cancer resource list.