No, the Compressure Comfort® Bra is NOT a mastectomy bra. Mastectomy bras are designed to hold prostheses securely in place. The Compressure Comfort® Bra does much more. It is a compression garment for the truncal area, which is defined as the torso, with or without breasts. (We call it a bra simply because it can comfortably accommodate breast tissue if it is present.

Absolutely. But it’s important to remember that while the Compressure Comfort® Bra makes an effective and comfortable prosthesis holder, a mastectomy bra cannot substitute as a compression garment. (Analogy: while you can wear high-tech running shoes to the supermarket, you cannot run a race in a pair of high heels!). Regular “compression” sports bras are designed to flatten the breasts against the chest wall in order to help minimize their movement during exercise.

From the first hint of any symptoms of truncal lymphedema onwards. (Please see below for more about the symptoms of truncal lymphedema.) The bra can also be worn simply to increase comfort following surgery or during radiation treatment. After surgery, patients can use the Compressure Comfort® Bra as soon as drains are removed in order to increase support of swollen tissues while healing is taking place.

Yes. Many private insurance companies are covering it.

Compression is a standard part of the treatment of lymphedema, and helps to keep lymphatic fluid from building up in the truncal area. The fluid build-up can be very painful, so the Compressure Comfort® Bra can make an enormous difference in patients’ quality of life.

There are 26 different over-the-counter sizes. Band sizes go from 32 to 48. Our three distinct cup sizes are A/B, C/D, and DD/E.

Mastectomy bras are the best choice for a breast form. They have pockets in the cups to hold the breast form in place and are cut wider under the arm and across the chest for full coverage. Fuller cut fashion bras are acceptable, but do not provide as much security.

Post-mastectomy (or simply mastectomy) bras resemble regular bras but with one important difference - they have spandex stretch pockets on the inside which help hold and keep the breast prosthesis in place. Mastectomy bras can be purchased at specialty shops or mastectomy boutiques. A certified mastectomy fitter, who is trained and experienced, can assist you in selecting and fitting the appropriate prosthesis and mastectomy bra that meets your individual needs.

A mastectomy bra (sometimes referred to as a surgical bra) is a bra with pockets sewn into the cups to hold the breast prosthesis in place. These bras are available in many styles and colors.

There's nothing more unselfish a gift you can give than your time to make a mastectomy bra for someone you care about. Or it may be for yourself. You can make the bra to fit a store-bought prosthesis or you can make your own from layers of Fusible Padding F-995, begin by cutting two layers of the upper and lower cup from similar weight scrap fabric. Sew the cup seam together, then find the bust point (it's the area with the greatest curve at the middle of the cup).

There are many mastectomy boutiques and specialty shops that carry all types of prostheses and post-mastectomy garments. Most specialty shops employ certified fitters who are specially-trained to fit women for breast prostheses. Many mastectomy shops are owned by women who have had breast cancer themselves. your first fitting appointment, remember to wear a garment that fits properly (possibly a knit top), so that you can see the shape of your breast when trying on your new prosthesis.

Great question! We practice a proprietary holistic method of fitting that is focused on more than just the right size—we teach women how to wear a bra, how to eliminate back fat, how to wear and care for a bra to "double the life" of a bra, but most importantly, we select the right styles and the right fit to provide comfort, improved shape and overall body appearance and the types of bras for every wardrobe need.

You will need to wear you sports bra for about a month. There are also compression garments that can be purchased or given to you by your plastic surgeon. These garments will help to shape your new breasts - contouring of the breasts is a continual process.

You can go without a bra with either placement at any time. Just remember that even under need support. The longer and less often you go without a bra the more susceptible to sagging you are, no matter what. The entire breast envelope is not supported with any placement, only the breast implant can be somewhat supported with full sub-muscular placement. However this doesn't mean you can forgo your bras forever once you heal from your surgery.

Follow these simple, yet critical steps for perfect sizing in a custom bra. First remove your clothing down to your best-fitting bra. Keeping the tape measure level and flat, take a snug measurement of the rib cage directly under the bust. Make it snug but not tight. To this measurement, add either 4" or 5" to bring it up to an even number...after all, bras come in sizes 32, 34, 36, not 33, 35, or 37. This number will be your bra band size.

There are alternative breast cancer treatments to mastectomy (total breast removal). In the past 20 years, significant advances have been made in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, which makes "breast conserving therapy" possible.

Yes. This is referred to as "immediate reconstruction". Some of the best aesthetic results are accomplished when the reconstructions are performed at the time of mastectomy in conjunction with a skin-sparing mastectomy. The total surgical time is unchanged because the breast surgeon and the reconstructive surgeons work together at the same time.