Lumpectomy is a procedure to remove cancer or other abnormal tissues from the breast. It is also called breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision since only a portion of the breast is removed. A person who had a lumpectomy is recommended to wear a wireless bra 24 hours a day for the first week or two as prescribed by the doctor. Some may ask how long do you wear a sports bra after lumpectomy. Although most persons who had lumpectomy prefer to wear a surgical bra, there will come a time for them to use a sports bra or other bras types.
What Bra to Wear After a Lumpectomy
What types of bra are recommended to use after lumpectomy? How long do you wear a sports bra after lumpectomy? Those are some of the questions that most people who will undergo a lumpectomy or who had a lumpectomy.
A bra’s need will automatically change after surgery, as the bras used before may not fit. The requirement may change after a person has breast surgery until the operation’s wound is cured and set to go back to the regular bra, which the people use before the surgery.
After breast surgery, a person will recover in three phases (three sets of time). During these phases, a person who had breast surgery will gradually shift from wearing special tops to regular bras. Following are the three phases:
Phase 1: Week One
Day one is the surgery day to 6 days after the surgery. At this time, a person will wear special tops (surgical bra) to heal the operation’s wound. The surgical bra has a facility for the breast drains to ensure that the person will be comfortable.
Phase 2: Week Two to Five
At this time, a person can start wearing regular bras again; however, if there is even a slight feeling of soreness in the breast area, it may be too soon to go back to using regular bras again. Some women will prefer to continue wearing a camisole, surgical bra, or wireless bras comfortable to wear.
Phase 3: Week Six and Onwards
At this time, the person’s breast/chest may still feel a little swollen and tender. To ensure that wearing a new bra will be more comfortable, wait for six to eight weeks after surgery.
Following are the things to remember when planning to get to fit a new bra:
- Try to look for a bra-fitter trained in lumpectomy clothes since they are the perfect person to find the correct bra.
- The bra must be fitted for the larger breast.
- The cost of a bra-fitter varies.
Wearing a Bra Eight Weeks After Surgery
Any bra can be used at this time with or without prosthesis as long as the bra has the right fit and can hold the breast prosthesis in place (if you have one). So the question on how long do you wear a sports bra after lumpectomy has been addressed. You can wear a regular bra for six to eight weeks as long as it does not have a wire, and it is soft and comfortable.
Wearing a Sports Bra After Lumpectomy
More often than not, people who had lumpectomy will likely have radiation treatment. People who are having radiation treatment would want a bra that will soothe their skin. When exploring for a bra to wear following the lumpectomy and radiation treatment, ensure that you choose a bra without underwire, bra with the softest material possible, with seams that do not irritate the breast’s most delicate areas.
There are times that doctors allow the wearing sports bra after a lumpectomy because it holds everything in place. Sports bras are useful and comfortable for some people during the healing process.
Sports bra are excellent to use after lumpectomy as it fits snugly around the breasts, holds the breasts in place, and to a remarkable extent, stops the breasts from moving. The sports bra has soft fabric that provides excellent comfort to a person who had a lumpectomy.
On the question, how long do you wear a sports bra after lumpectomy? You may use a sports bra immediately after the operation, even when you go to sleep, and continue wearing them even after the wounds are healed. Here’s how to learn more about sports bras.
Conclusion
A sports bra after lumpectomy can be of great help. Questions like how long do you wear a sports bra after lumpectomy is not a concern. As long as you’re comfortable, you can wear sports bras after lumpectomy.