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Camisole, after surgery An after-surgery camisole is an optional product that typically contains a compartment for "stuffing" and drains. It is worn during the recovery period following a mastectomy.

Contact prosthesis According to Karen T., "It really does stay stuck to your body so you don't get any of that wandering or crashing into your body (I have a concave chest now and the concave shape of my previous prosthesis meant that every time I ran it would slap--sometimes audibly--into my chest). Neither does it pull your bra or swimsuit forward when you bend down. This is really great--but, as with anything else, there are some down sides: You have to wait for two years after mastectomy to ensure that your skin is strong enough to support it. Also, it also does not perform so well in hot climates or when you are doing something 'sweaty' like dance or sport."

Low necks may not be the best idea, just in case the bra peeks out and shows prostheses. This can be solved by wearing another layer, of course, under the low-cut shirt. There are also "stickers" made to keep clothing in place.

Pockets for prostheses are a good idea. Just popping a prosthesis one in a normal bra is not always the best idea. With the weight of a prosthesis, it's apt to fall out. One member recalls a lady she knew whose prosthesis popped out when gardening outside! Many ladies have similar stories. Pockets are the solution!

Sports bras Bras can be comfortable! Carol purchases "sports bras, the kind that hook in the front. The cups are double material, so I put a small slit in the inside piece, creating pockets for the prostheses. The manufacturers of the prostheses might say such a bra is not good for longevity of their product. They warn about tight cups and underwire bras, but this has worked very well for me." Karen T. likes sports bras, too. "Many sports go up to the collar bone! They are extremely supportive and very attractive. They come in a range of colors." Additionally, she says, "I found that the sports bras are supportive enough not to need a pocket, as long as it is a good fit and designed for impact sport. Most sports bras are designed to eliminate any 'bounce' in breasts during physical exercise and I find that this includes a prosthesis. They also greatly reduce the chest slapping by the prosthesis so that it is only noticable during repeated high jumping."

Swimsuits According to Martha, Land's End's mastectomy suits "are comfortable, well-made, and well-designed. They look 'natural' and hold the prosthesis securely in place. I have found them far superior to suits that cost more than twice as much." Karen T. has found that she likes using "triathlon swimwear. The triathlon is a sports event that includes running, cycling, and swimming. What that means to us is that we can get swimwear that is as supportive as a sports bra that goes to the collar bone. They appear to only come in 'sporty' styles and are difficult to find, but well worth the effort."

If you're going swimming and don't have a swimming prosthesis, C.W. passes along a tip given to her: "The little net scrubbers (for the bath) work well for a swimsuit. They don't hold water and stay in the swimsuit without pockets (maybe not if the suit is very low cut?!). It worked for me."

The above presents the personal views of Flattops visitors. Your experience may vary. Brand names are based on members' experience, and do not indicate endorsement by any party.