I have DD38 breasts. Since before my surgery, and more so now, I cannot wear a bra. The pain over my shoulders and in my incisions(underarm) is too intense. Does anyone have any ideas for an alternative. I find that the pain in my pectoralis mucsles is almost too much to bear. The Dr. says that he thinks that a breast reduction is a good idea for me, but it will be at least a year before I can even think about anything like that. I need a solution for now that does not involve a regular bra. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks Tracy

Hi Tracy, I also have extreme pain from bras - can't bear to wear a standard one. I gave up wearing one around the house years ago. For when I absolute must leave the house, I found a few options. Don't know if these will help, as I'm only a 34B - but I found a few options. First, a body shaper - looks like a tank top but is stretchy and has light support in the bust area -the other is a little bralette I just love, made by "Wacoal" - shaped kind of like a sports bra but very light, not compressive at all. The bottom is a stretchy, comfy lace band and the straps are also stretchy lace. (Of course, comfy as it is, I still strip it of the minute i get in the door.) Found it at Nordstrom's. Again, may or may not work for you, but it's worth a try. Also, I remember on the old Braintalk forum there was lengthy discussioin on this topic - and one highly recommended alternative bra for the fuller gals. I don't remember what it was but hopefully some others with better memories will come along. Good Luck.

Hugs & Happy Thanksgiving,
Nolina

hi...

have you thought about tensor bandages you can wrap whre it does not hurt and they could support whre needed.....just a thought.....hey models use duct tape....lol...but they are usually an A cup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you can get some relief somehow!

take care,
Victoria

Oh gosh - the one that was recomended on the old forum....
like a bustier - no straps- corset type

I have spoken to a couple of people today that have recommended I look into a steel spring overbust corset. But, can you imagine paying over $350.00 for one and then having to wear it everyday? Even my mom says it is a good idea. She says she wore one when she was younger, and it gave great support. I'm going to go to a store that deals with bra fitting. They do a lot with masectomy patients. I hope they can find something for me.
Tracy

Victoria, i like your bandage idea - never thought of that! though one might go through quite a bit of it. even so, i imagine i could buy quite a bit of tape for the $350 it would cost for the aforementoned corset. (I did a quick search and it appears i could get 5 yds of 2" tensor bandage tape for $1.95)

Tracy, i don't mean to make light of your situation - i truly am serious about the tape as a potential solution for myself. I do hope you can find something relatively comfy that doesn't break the bank. This is an issue with which most of us ladies here on the board struggle, I'm sure.

-Nolina

Nolina, I never took that as making light of my situation. Every little bit of advice helps. I am going to try the tensor today. When I go to the bra store they will probably laugh at me, but if it gives even 10% relief I will be happy.
Any other ideas would be helpful too.
Thanks all,
Tracy

I'm a 36C, and I buy the convertable bras from victorias secret. They can be worn with or without straps, and they are the only strapless bras I have ever found that actually STAY where they belong without having to pull them up and adjust them all the time.

The other thing I buy is those tanktops that have the built in bras or shelf bras. The tank tops have straps, but the straps of the tank top are not like bra straps (they do not pull on my shoulders or cause any pressure).

Ideally is a mid corsett. I never could wear anything built like they would make for my size. Also a front hook would be best. There is a woman out our way, that makes corestts, but I would not pay the bucks for something I am not going to feel like a light second skin in.

I found a few bras with wide gel straps, they have no weight on the shoulders. Platex makes a wrap back front enclosure I just bought. I saw it adverstised in an Avon cataloge, extremly comfortable.
Walmart make a few strapless comfy too.

http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb...2&type=Product
Playtex Eighteen Hour Posture Bra #4379 with Rebat

A bra that stands up to more than just your day. A smooth back support system offers all-over support and lasting body comfort which promotes better posture. Sheer mesh LYCRA® spandex fabrics and 100% cotton back panels are cool and comfortable. Hidden front closure and cushiony adjustable straps. White. 34 to 42B, C, 34 to 44D. Not available in 36D. Style # 4379

I am not sure on this one if it is it, it would have a wrap back and front closure if it is...


About brest reduction, the same thign was said to my daughter for her 38 Dd, that it would help her back. It did nothing to help the TOS, but she loves going braless and fitting in nice clothes. I have 40 DDD. I won't have reduction, I saw what hers looked like and not happy at all.

But, the plastic surgeon did not do a keyhole type reduction, he cut under the breast from arm pit to arm pit. Removed the nipples, resized them and replaced. There are no feeling in them, different shaps and size, the stiching looked like Frankenstein. No inside stiching, big whips across the underside.

Also, this small built doc must have like tiny boobies as her big ones she wanted at least a heafty B to good C cup left, she wore padded bras to make her look like she had a boob for a while. I would never reccommend him. His one remark after surgery was she got rid of the load off ehr chest she should do something about the butt!

Many people are real happy with reductions, but it has to be for ther eduction in clothing choice or braless days. It did not help there TOS symptoms at all.

When consulting, have them show you before and after pictures and make sure they will use a key hole inceision (like the hole for a skeleton key opening) This goes from underside of the breast , up and around the nipple. The underside is reduced and drawn together with one thin line from nipple to chest wall.

good luck,
Dianne

Thanks for the pics. I can't put anything on over my shoulders. I tried several different things yesterday at the bra store. Anything that had a shoulder strap reduced me to tears even at its loosest. I did find a really good bustier that does up with hooks down the back. My dh has to get me into and out of it, but it does relieve some of the pain in the pectoralis area. Now I am looking at having a corset made for me. There is a store in Edmonton that does custom corsets. They are expensive, but they will help. My doctor thinks he can my insurance to pick up some of the cost. He seems to think that if he prescribes it as an orthotic device, and a possible alternative to reduction surgery, they will pick up some of the cost.
At any rate I won't stop my search until I find something that works. I can't exactly walk around braless, LOL. People would really think I was odd then.
Tracy