Finding comfort after Surgery
Finding new comforts after my breast reduction surgery
Back in 2012, I was working at a Wonderbra store as a sales associate and bra fitter. I loved this job! I just really loved to help to find a solution. There were so many options available - smoothing, lifting, two or three cup sizes up, strapless, wired, non wired, seamless, sports, low and high impact.. the list goes on and on.
Comfort levels seemed to be the talking point when day-to-day bra fitting. There were lots of regular customers. There were a few who had come in to be re-fitted from scratch, which were for all sorts of reasons. The one that caught my interest was women’s own stories about having a breast reduction. Five years after leaving this particular job, I would be on that same journey.
This is what I want to talk with you about.
I wasn’t ever really that comfortable up until the day of my surgery. I just built tolerances. Even when fitted in a supportive bra, there were not a lot of style options available at my size. I believe that having more choice has created more comfort since recovering fully from having a breast reduction…and uplift- yay!
Mid 2017 – my life changed completely. I moved back home and changed my work/life balance with a new job and career path.
Early 2018 - I promised myself that I would take action! It was the perfect time.
I went to my doctor and asked for advice on having a breast reduction. I gained recommendations and booked consultations. Meeting the surgeon face to face made it very real, and it was truly exciting to have finally arrived.
My chosen surgeon calmly asked me why I wanted a breast reduction? It was pretty simple. I just felt ready and balanced. It was a want and need.
He showed me examples of women who had had breast reduction surgery – before and after. We discussed the procedure, recovery time, and aftercare. We also talked about my ideal new size. I did a lot of reading and research and felt prepared with the process and had all my questions answered.
My surgeon is a member of BAAPS, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He specializes in breast reconstruction. I was really fortunate enough to have a friend who worked with him as a nurse in recovery. She really helped secure my decision from her own experience of working with him. I had envisioned most of the moments of this process, and just feeling safe. There was a complete feeling of trust.
With all the backing information, I booked the surgery. This was done privately. During my final consultation, my surgeon said I would need to order the Classic support Sports bra by Shock Absorber in the agreed final size.
Shock Absorber commissioned scientific backing and research from the Breast Health Research Group at the University of Portsmouth. The group has a specialist biomechanics laboratory, which uses motion sensor technology, to show and assess the range of movements of the breasts inside a bra. The methods they use help increase knowledge and help brands better understand product design, performance, fit and comfort.
Using the Classic support Sports bra after surgery gave me comfort because the design of the sports bra supported my breast weight. It also decreased movement of my breasts during the critical first few weeks of healing. Although of course, I wasn’t running or even walking much, just the motions of getting up from my bed to standing needed as much support as possible. This bra really held me – it has a great balance of allowing breathability, but also prevents too much movement by working with you.
The day had arrived!
So on the 8th august 2018, my life completely changed. Before you go into surgery, the anesthetist meets with you to run a medical check. The surgeon then marks you up and you are ready to go – I did look like an abstract piece of art!
Whilst under general anesthetic, over 2-3 hours, I had excess tissue removed through the lower parts of my breasts (hence all the abstract art). Nipples are then repositioned to fit the new shape and size of my breasts. Finally – the skin was reshaped before stitches are closed and bandaged.
The scarring is very minimal. It’s kind of in the shape of an anchor. The scarring does not bother me and does not alter what I wear. Nearly three years on, the scars are barely noticeable and I am still so happy to see the result of my decision! They finally look like mine.
Lets go shopping!
So, I would love to tell you about different Lingerie and sports bras I tried once I got the all ok from the recovery nurses and my surgeon. I was wearing the Shock Absorber fully for 3 weeks after surgery. Due to its brilliant design with backing research from the University of Portsmouth’s Research Group in Breast Health – it lived up to its designed feature list.
This particular sports bra comes with a wider underband, which prevents chafing. It has breathability, mesh panels and moisture wicking high performance fabrics too. I had my surgery in the heat of the summer, so wearing something that decreased breast tissue movement, and allowed my skin to breathe was fab!
After about six weeks, I tried a couple of pull on; ribbed, seamless crop tops bras. The comfort factor really came from thick and stretchy fabric that recovered back to its original size every time. I have a couple of these from the brand HIIT – bought through ASOS. The comfort was provided through the coverage I received. Having a longer depth all around, gave a wrapped, hugging feel. For the first few months, I couldn’t get the bras on myself easily. I did manage to pull these seamless ribbed crop tops up my body instead of over my head!
As my mobility and the ability to stretch and walk further increased, I decided it would be great to try a non-wired bra. I picked out the non-wired deco bra by Freya. It was a bit firmer than I was used to, but it gave me a good lift and some cleavage too. I know I was a lot more sensitive to pressure after surgery as my tolerances had changed. The molded cups provided a lot of support and it felt like it gave the lift a shape of a wired bra.
The next non-wired bralette I tried was the Alice non-wired full support bra by Boux Avenue. Being a bit of a vintage/1950s style fan – I got fitted for this and bought the set! I loved that it was non-wired and the triangular shaped cups gave support around the sides of my breasts. The thicker fabric and fuller coverage within this plunge triangle style bra really gave me support and it was comfortable.
I have found that non-wired styles really work for me. I stumbled across Tutti Rouge – The fuller bust company through ASOS. The first bra I tried from them was the Tuttie Rougette Hallie Bralette. The great design in this bra allows it to be dual cup-sized. For example FF/G. It’s all about flexibility. Think about how much boobs can change over the month? After surgery – I had a lot of swelling which was perfectly normal. They were pretty rock hard for a month or two and started to soften after that. So thank you dual sizing!
This bra has no hooks or fastenings, it slips over your head, comes with adjustable straps and a wide elasticized underband. I was finding that the new comfort I was feeling, was from bras or crop tops that had a balance all over. The weight and thickness of the fabrics felt the same on my body. I love Tutti Rouge and have gone on to buy quite a few more of their products including the Hallie Body. They have beautiful design and continuity. It is comfort I complete trust all day.
I didn’t really get round to wearing a wired bra for about a year after surgery. I did try on a few but found the wires to be very harsh and hard against my skin. I bought one about a year after surgery, which is the Deco bra by Freya. I believe the comfort for me with this bra is that it has molded cups and the quality of its straps feel strong and plush against my skin.
2021 – I found myself WFH even more than the year before and turned to lounge comfort. I found this zip unitard by South Beach on ASOS. It has a bodycon fit; it gives that all over support and hugging feel. I just pop on a crop top underneath this, with a pair of joggers for WFH.
Although it’s completely different to corsets, if you have ever worn a corset, it gives you the hug and support all over. I feel I do get more support and comfort from fuller coverage underwear like bodies, unitards, and strappy tops with built in support too!
Most recently, I purchased a front fasten sports bra by Dorina – again through ASOS. I had a guess and got a size 12, which fitted well. The thick fabric and zip just makes me feel ready to go. There is good coverage all over and the strap width is well balanced – not too thin or wide. It gives me unrestricted movement with its stretch and elasticized underband. I love a racer back design within the bra; it feels a little more secure, gives me variation and provides me with balanced comfort.
I have different bras for different days. At work I would wear a fairly high impact sports bra, but by 4pm, I am home and like to change into something a little more lightweight. Having the options is a huge comfort factor for me.
I have found comfort in the beautiful lingerie and underwear that is now out there in my size. I feel free to try lots of styles and in an array of designs. I always feel I have options.
On 8th August 2018…. I arrived at the hospital at a size 30KK and went home a 30FF. 0.5kg removed from each breast. Mentally, emotionally, physically… my life is full of even more opportunities because of the changes I chose to make. I would like to thank every person I ever talked to about this journey and I would also like to thank everyone involved in creating better booby support and comfort with fantastic products!