Post surgical bras
Your women surgical patients judge their surgery by the comfort (or otherwise) of the recovery period. That comfort calls for a postsurgical bra. Today, you can prepare your patient with expert advice.
The literature shows that breast-surgery patients value personalized presurgical education 1,2. In this population, psychological distress is a significant factor 3,4. And there is already evidence that, in subpopulations at least, long-term effects such as fatigue are ameliorated by exercise—for which a comfortable bra will be essential.5
Presurgery: PREPARE THE PATIENT
Before surgery, you and your staff will be telling the patient what to expect. You will want to include advice so that she can take time before the surgery to obtain the right bra, which will be a specialty sports bra:
- Will she have limited arm movement? She needs a front-closure style.
- Will there be sensitive areas? Seamfree cups will help.
- Might lymphedema occur? Some sports bras have built-in compression.
- Will there be size changes or a prosthesis? A professional fitting is desirable and free at x-chrom.com.
These sports-bra features are in the marketplace, but most patients don’t know where. (A woman is unlikely to ask the young man at Sportmart how to best meet her post-surgical needs.)
THE FORGOTTEN WOMAN
If the patient is not informed, she will not be heard as a consumer. The more empathy a physician shows in regard to a woman’s post-surgical needs prior to the procedure, ultimately, the better the market will respond to patients’ needs. And the happier the patient will be with her surgical outcome.
THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Hi-tech Fabrics Fabrics like Lycra® have been recognized to help reduce swelling and help “even-out” a bustline that has been altered by a surgical procedure. CoolMax® is known to increase comfort with improved breathability.
- The Grace Bra by Moving Comfort® In the year 2002, women’s activewear manufacturer, Moving Comfort®, developed the first sports bra specifically for the post-surgical woman, including features like built-in pockets for prostheses.
- www.X-chrom.com This web site features over 35 different sports bra styles including the Moving Comfort® Grace Bra.
- One surgical group even has its nursing staff keep a supply of the bras in the office. Nurses demonstrate features and sell the bras as a service to patients.
The marketplace has by no means met all postsurgical needs. But, today, the post-surgical woman is not forgotten.
You can measure yourself, but getting measured by a professional can really help. If you are in the Chicago area, feel free to get measured at X-chrom.com. Call to make an appointment. If you can’t make it to the far west side of the city, let us know and we’ll try to come to you.
Your Trusted Sports Bra Source ~ We Support Every Body
Reference List
1. Stephens P, Osowski M, Fidale M, Spagnoli C. Identifying the educational needs and concerns of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer after surgery. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing [serial online]. April 2008;12(2):253-258.
2. Dell DD, Weaver C, Kozempel J & Barsevick A. Recovery after transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction surgery. Oncology Nursing Forum April 2008; 35(2):189-96.
3. Schnur J, Montgomery G, Hallquist M, et al. Anticipatory psychological distress in women scheduled for diagnostic and curative breast cancer surgery. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine [serial online]. March 2008;15(1):21-28.
4. Harmer V. Breast cancer. Part 3: advanced cancer and psychological implications. British Journal of Nursing (BJN) [serial online]. September 25, 2008;17(17):1088.
5. Winters-Stone K, Bennett J, Nail L, Schwartz A. Strength, physical activity, and age predict fatigue in older breast cancer survivors. Oncology Nursing Forum [serial online]. September 2008;35(5):815-821.
