Proper care of your mastectomy bra will maximize the life of your garment.
Any liquid detergent may be used to clean your garment. Never wash your mastectomy garments in water hotter than your hand can tolerate. Warm water is recommended over cold water because cold water will not extract body oils from the fabric and it is body oils that break down the elasticity of the garment.
Hand washing and air drying will further prolong the lasting comfort and fit of your garment.
Fabric softeners should be avoided when the bra contains CoolMax fabric.
In 1967 Stella Chavos and her husband James F. Chavos founded Newport Center Orthopedic. Since then Stella Chavos has been helping Post-Mastectomy patients recover and return to their regular lifestyle by finding and properly fitting her patients with mastectomy bras and breast forms.
Stella wanted wanted to reach out to friends and family outside of Southern California who were looking for assistance in finding the proper intimate apparel following cancer surgery, and that is when she founded NuLife Medical. With her over 40 years of experience, Stella guides her trained staff with her vast knowledge and trusted expertise in the field of mastectomy care products. Many patients ask Stella HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT MASTECTOMY BRA.
Here are some helpful tips on finding the proper mastectomy garment for you:
- Not all bras fit all figure types and not all bras are designed for every need.
- Just as every woman needs a clothing wardrobe to compliment her life, every woman needs an intimate apparel wardrobe to compliment her activites.
THERE ARE FIVE CATEGORIES OF BRAS:
Post Surgical Garments: This is a woman's main garment while she is healing from surgery. This garment is designed to be worn home from the hospital. A post surgical garment looks like a camisole, has built in pockets for drain pouches and pockets for fiber filled soft forms. This garment can be stepped into for easy dressing. Post operative garments are soft and breathable and give shape to a mastectomy patient immediately following surgery. Wearing a specially designed post operative garment makes a difference because the breast area where surgery has been performed is supported. A post operative garment has pockets to contain and hold the pouches so that nothing pulls on the incision site.
Leisure Bras : The leisure bra gives shape and confidence to a mastectomy patient during healing. These garments open in the front for ease and are made of soft cotton for comfort. Leisure bras have pockets for breast forms. This bra is ideal for a woman who is not yet ready for a traditional bra but one who is beginning to return to her normal activites and lifestyle. Some mastectomy patients use leisure bras for night wear.
Traditional Bras : A traditional bra is usually worn 6 weeks post operatively based on a doctor's authorization. Building an intimate wardrobe to include more than one trational bra will ensure that one is on hand while the other is being laundered. Stella's advice is, NEVER BE WITHOUT A GOOD BRA TO WEAR! NuLife Medical offers 2 bra sets at a discounted rate to allow you to always have a good bra on hand. It is never a good idea to go without your prosthesis and mastectomy bra. By keeping it on at all times, your body stays in balance. Not wearing your prosthesis and mastectomy bra can contribute to bad posture, since the weight of the breast keeps the chest cavity expanded.
Athletic Bras: An athletic bra is designed for maximum support in conjunction with an active lifestyle. A sports bra offers comfort and security with full coverage and durable elastic by design, while microfiber fabric and mesh panels ensure breathability.
Fashionable Bras: Fashionable bras lend an extra feminine feeling by utilizing lace and trims without comprising comfort and security. Many fashionable bras are complemented by a coordinating panty.
