Securing the girls
July 29, 2015 8:02 PM   Subscribe

I just had gallbladder surgery and the idea of a conventional bra sounds uncomfortable at the least; painful at worst. I am largish and need something to wear under clothes (when I go back to work) that would minimize jiggling or wobbling. Help me hack this? Extra points: I don't have hours of time and energy to go shopping. Name brands and personal recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.
posted by intrepid_simpleton to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
I like Bali Comfort Revolution bras with smart sizing. So comfortable! The wire free ones are the most prevalent (I've always got ten them at Kohls).
posted by cecic at 8:08 PM on July 29, 2015


In the same situation, and after breast reduction (scars underneath breasts) I very much liked Decent Exposures bras. The velour are the most supportive and also very soft and comfortable. Velour can be kind of warm, but it provides more firm support than their cotton bras. These are made-to-measure, and I recommend calling them; I got my best bras from them when I spoke to someone on the phone about how to measure. These won't give you the smooth line of a conventional bra but they're very comfy and get the job done.
posted by not that girl at 8:12 PM on July 29, 2015 [1 favorite]


Yeah, I suggest some sort of wire-free bra that has a hook in the back.

I know following my surgery there ain't no way I could raise my arms to pull something on like a sports bra. Also, are you feeling discomfort due to the excess nerve pain and air in your abdomen? If so, that goes away within two weeks so you shouldn't have too long to deal with it. I wore a regular bra after going back to work at 2 weeks post-op but I'm also a petite lady.
posted by Crystalinne at 8:15 PM on July 29, 2015 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Crystallinne, I've felt that air. Yikes. This is more for my overall comfort.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 8:18 PM on July 29, 2015


I love this bra:

They're wire free sports bras, but in conventional sizes, and with hooks and eyes in the back so you're not having to stretch scarring to get a normal pull over sports bra over your head. The price point is pretty good, and it comes in about a billion colors. They're Amazon prime eligible, and my size had free returns.
posted by joycehealy at 8:18 PM on July 29, 2015


Me too, less than 24 hours ago! High five, sister in surgery. Was yours keyhole or open? I wore a bra home today, and put it on carefully (h-cup, 18-20 Australian) and took it off as soon as I got home (but that's my habit anyway). I also didn't try (never do) to do it up with hands behind my back, so I did it in front of a mirror (gah!) so I could see where the holes were, and it wasn't horrible.

One other thing, my surgeon was full on (but sweet) about me getting lots of walking. So I I managed 6 loops of corridor arternoon of surgery and 1.2 km round the corridors this morning, and I swear, it's had an amazingly positive effect on pain management, so I recommend that. Feel free to me-mail if you would like mutual commiserations.

Oh and fuck that nausea. Google says it might last for ever, but my lovely surgeon said to expect it for a week, and then start worrying.
posted by b33j at 8:29 PM on July 29, 2015 [3 favorites]


Moving Comfort has some sports bras that don't have underwires and hook in the back, like Maia, Fiona, and Jubralee.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 8:30 PM on July 29, 2015


i got a couple of longline surgical bras after my boobectomy and they're so comfortable that I have yet to make the transition back to regular bras. I'm a D now so the medium size is the most supportive but I have a large for sleeping.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:59 PM on July 29, 2015 [1 favorite]


I used a bikini top for the same purpose, one of those with preformed cup with large cloth straps that tied around the back and behind the neck. That way I could ease some pressure by loosening the strap a bit when I was sitting at my desk, without taking the hole thing off.
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 12:19 AM on July 30, 2015


I personally find yoga or dance tops like this really comfortable - the bra part just has a wide elasticated band rather than a normal hook and eye band, so it's much more forgiving.
posted by tinkletown at 4:04 AM on July 30, 2015


Surgical veteran here. I second the rec for decent exposures.
posted by Dashy at 6:01 AM on July 30, 2015


I very much like Wacoal's b natural bralette. I'm a 34D (34DD depending on manufacturer) and find this bra very comfortable and more than supportive enough for work-day activities. They're under $20, too!
posted by crush-onastick at 7:14 AM on July 30, 2015


Maybe a front closing sports bra? I far prefer front closing bras to back closing ones. So. Much. Easier. And this style tends to be both comfortable and adequately secures things.

Best of luck.
posted by Michele in California at 10:44 AM on July 30, 2015


I got a couple of those short tank top type bras, similar to the Aah-bra. I only needed them till about 2 weeks post surgery. In hindsight though, I should have just stayed home till I could wear a proper bra. YSickLeaveMV.
posted by kjs4 at 7:49 PM on July 30, 2015


Is this just for when you're healing? I had gallbladder surgery earlier this year and I don't really see how a different bra would help -- just hug a pillow whenever you sit or stand for a week or so. IMO by the time you could get a new bra you'll probably be far enough along in the healing process that you won't need it anymore.
posted by Jacqueline at 9:48 PM on July 31, 2015


Response by poster: One Kohl's trip later with Auntie, who is apparently the brassiere expert of the Western World, and I am set! Thank you.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 9:05 AM on September 7, 2015


« Older non-ipod mp3 player with on-the-go playlist...   |   A "Novel Cure" for anxiety about the future? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.