Apr 23

Apr 23 My Favorite Everyday Bra After a Mastectomy

True & Co. True Body Convertible Strap Bra in Desert / Bra photo via Amazon

After a mastectomy, your bra needs and preferences change. So when I was preparing for my prophylactic double mastectomy and direct-to-implant breast reconstruction three years ago, I did a lot of research on the best bras to wear after a mastectomy. I rounded up most of my favorite bras to wear after breast surgery in an article on Everyday Health, but I have one more favorite for everyday wear: True & Co’s Women's True Body Triangle Convertible Strap Bra.

True & Co is a fan-favorite in the breast cancer survivor and previvor community, and for good reason: Their bras are extremely comfortable, while still being fairly supportive — and they’re wire-free!

There’s a rumor going around — which I haven’t been able to definitively confirm or deny — that you’re not supposed to wear underwire bras after a mastectomy. First of all, the wire could irritate your scars, especially early on in your recovery. And, because you likely lose all or some sensation in your breasts after a mastectomy, and therefore wouldn’t notice if an underwire broke free from a bra and stabbed you, it could result in injury.

I’m 48 years old and I have never been stabbed with a rogue underwire in my life so I’m not sure how much weight this argument holds, but I did not need a reason to toss my old underwire bras and only wear the much more comfortable wire-free ones going forward!

When it comes to wire-free bras, True & Co has so many different styles and colors to choose from. I love their True Body Triangle Convertible Strap Bra for everyday wear, and when I say everyday I mean it: I wear this bra EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

It’s a little low-cut and it took me several times of adjusting the straps to make sure that I don’t spill out of it, but once I got the right adjustment, it’s been secure ever since. Convertible straps can be worn standard or racerback style, and this bra has removable pads, which I keep in.

This bra comes in a wide range of shades from neutrals to bright colors: I have it in Black, Mink, and a skin-tone shade called Dulce that is so worn out from use that I need to replace it! [Edited to add: I just got my nude-colored replacement bra in the shade Desert.]

There are no uncomfortable closures, which is a plus. But note: Since you have to pull on this bra over your head, it’s not appropriate to wear while you’re still recovering from breast surgery and have limited range of motion in your arms.

I prefer low-cut bras, but if you want more coverage True & Co has plenty of options, like their True Body Scoop Adjustable-Strap Bra and this True Body Lift Scoop-Neck Bra, to name a few. And if you want sexy bras, True & Co has those, too — like this racerback bra with pretty lace detail.

One more note: As I mentioned, I had implant reconstruction, and can only speak from my personal experience. I imagine that the comfort level and fit of this bra would probably be pretty similar for those who’ve had autologous reconstruction, such as DIEP flap, but for people who have aesthetic flat closure, have chosen not to have their breasts reconstructed, and don’t use breast prostheses, the fit of this bra may vary.

Buy It: True & Co’s Women's True Body Triangle Convertible Strap Bra ($15-$49) on Amazon.com

For more of my mastectomy and reconstruction tips and post-breast surgery bra recommendations, read: