Mastectomy lingerie

[Kenourio]

Hi all. Long-time lurker, first time poster. I'm hoping that in this large and friendly community there may be someone with experience who can help.

My wife underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer a while back, with one breast being removed completely. She is quite a large-breasted woman and so needs to wear a prosthesis constantly. We looked at getting plastic surgery to even things up, but for various reasons, not least her health (she also has lymphodema), it's not a good option.

Before the operation, I used to regularly buy her sexy lingerie. I really enjoy spending time working out what models her body best, and she likes getting it as a surprise gift and doing modelling sessions. I'd like to do this again for us (unfortunately we had to get rid of a lot of our collection) but the mastectomy makes it quite tricky to shop for anything involving her breasts. Anything without firm support is going to either need to be paired with a mastectomy bra, which seems like it'll be fairly uncomfortable, or will look very lop-sided, which kind of defeats the purpose. Anything with firm support, on the other hand, probably doesn't come with a prosthesis holder, and so, again, it runs the risk of being uncomfortable. There is specialist mastectomy lingerie out there, but it's fair to say that the manufacturers don't seem to have sexiness in mind.

I'm wondering if we have any breast cancer survivors here who have a similar issue (or friends/partners of survivors), and if so if you have any recommendations you can make, for shops or brands? We live in the EU so would prefer shops based there, but tips and ideas from other countries are also welcome.

 

[IrisAlthea]

Hi all. Long-time lurker, first time poster. I'm hoping that in this large and friendly community there may be someone with experience who can help.

My wife underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer a while back, with one breast being removed completely. She is quite a large-breasted woman and so needs to wear a prosthesis constantly. We looked at getting plastic surgery to even things up, but for various reasons, not least her health (she also has lymphodema), it's not a good option.

Before the operation, I used to regularly buy her sexy lingerie. I really enjoy spending time working out what models her body best, and she likes getting it as a surprise gift and doing modelling sessions. I'd like to do this again for us (unfortunately we had to get rid of a lot of our collection) but the mastectomy makes it quite tricky to shop for anything involving her breasts. Anything without firm support is going to either need to be paired with a mastectomy bra, which seems like it'll be fairly uncomfortable, or will look very lop-sided, which kind of defeats the purpose. Anything with firm support, on the other hand, probably doesn't come with a prosthesis holder, and so, again, it runs the risk of being uncomfortable. There is specialist mastectomy lingerie out there, but it's fair to say that the manufacturers don't seem to have sexiness in mind.

I'm wondering if we have any breast cancer survivors here who have a similar issue (or friends/partners of survivors), and if so if you have any recommendations you can make, for shops or brands? We live in the EU so would prefer shops based there, but tips and ideas from other countries are also welcome.

Helped my mother look online when she was newly operated.
There is a brand named Amoena, that specializes in post-op lingere.
I had to look it up to remember the name and it looks like some of the fashion online shops like Zalando have options from brands like Triumph, Anita, etc.

 

[GreenandGolden]

Hey,
I’m not a survivor myself but I work in cancer care so we recommend companies ourselves

I’m UK.

Amoena is good, and really reasonably priced too.

If you’re looking for something more decadent ‘love rose lingerie’ is gorgeous gorgeous, but pricey.

Pinkribbon lingerie too

If she has a dedicated breast cancer nurse they will be able to recommend, and actually Macmillan are super helpful so you could look at their website or even get in touch with them and see if anyone is free for a chat!

Sorry to hear things have been rough for you both, but you sound like a super supportive partner!

All the best,
G

 

[Kenourio]

I can't thank you enough - that's given us a lot to play with!

Sadly our country doesn't quite have the support system that exists in the UK (and as a male partner I'd be nervous taking up Macmillan's time), but your recommendations are exactly what I was hoping to find.

 

[tristantrotsky]

Be proud. Be open.
He will love and desire you.

 

[Kenourio]

Be proud. Be open.
He will love and desire you.

That part was never in doubt

 

[UtilityCurve]

Helped my mother look online when she was newly operated.
There is a brand named Amoena, that specializes in post-op lingere.
I had to look it up to remember the name and it looks like some of the fashion online shops like Zalando have options from brands like Triumph, Anita, etc.

All I can say is that there was a bra shop in New York associated with Sloan-Kettering. On the East Side.

My wife said the bras they sold her were, notwithstanding her prosthesis, the most comfortable she ever wore.

I miss her. Miss her bras. All that. But I am SO fucking proud that when we were dating, I didn't tune her out when she complained about how uncomfortable wearing a bra was. I used this thing called the Internet to learn how they should be sized, etc. The fitter in New York said she was impressed that my wife knew her correct size. My wife was too embarrassed to tell her her husband was responsible.

They killed her, those breasts. But before they did, I made damn sure they were better treated in my (metaphorical and literal) hands than anyone else's.

Good luck to you. Lymphoedema is a tough opponent.

 

[Kenourio]

That's such a lovely message. I'm sorry for your loss, and glad you celebrated her in life that way. We've cheated the cancer of a victim for years now, but I try not to ever forget that it could have gone the other way.

 

[albertaboy]

There is a terrific little shop here in Winnipeg, Manitoba called "The unexpected gift" The owner went through breast cancer and started the business to help women with things like lingerie.

Not sure what her web presence is but she is an angel, name is Tara

 

[Lady2020]

I won't get graphic, but I will never forget the day my grandmother showed me her mastectomy scars. She had her surgery when it was just remove the breast and that was it. She looked like she had been in a war.

 

[L1511p]

Another general answer - there are several uk and polish handmade lingerie brands, because everything is hand made, mastectomy lingerie is never an issue. edgeobeyond is entirely uk based, making in the uk too, avocouture is in poland, but most of the polish brands operated a make to order system so again, not really a problem. Lace Lingerie is based in the UK Germany and Denmark, and pretty much cover the world of makers. You may need to call them for advice, but my bet is they will too.

 

[Hipshot1554]

I won't get graphic, but I will never forget the day my grandmother showed me her mastectomy scars. She had her surgery when it was just remove the breast and that was it. She looked like she had been in a war.

Oh God Yes! I wish I could unsee that!