Pain From Bras

[Taylor5 98]

Hey Ladies!

I have not been around much lately, but it looks like everyone is doing great! Congratulations on your continued success! I am personally feeling pretty well for the most part. I am still dealing with my chronic pain issues, which are exacerbated by my reignited flame (the gym, lol). But I am having an issue and wondering if anyone else has had and can share advice?

I am having bra issues. Some of it is just the typical stuff that everyone is going through with trying to find new bras...figuring out what is the right size now...adequate support...and of course comfort, without spending a small fortune - especially considering the size could change again (I have refrained from buying so far with the exception of a couple sports bras and a couple wire-free comfort bras).

The real problem I am having is that Every Single Bra I wear compresses on my diaphragm area - which I guess they typically do - but it is really uncomfortable (often seriously painful) since the surgery. The pain seems to be worse in the center, so I don't know if it is pressing on the area at the top of the sleeve and it's still just sensitive (6 1/2 months out though...), but I am serious when I say it gets bad.

I have always been an underwire girl. At my highest weight I wore a 48DD. I'm down around a 38DD/40D right now (hard for me to find that perfect fit), so you would think there would be LESS pressure now than ever! Especially since my stomach is smaller too! But it doesn't matter if I am wearing underwire, or a firmer/non-underwire sports bra, or even these stretchy super-comfy no-seams no-wires leisure bras (back closure), I still end up with the pain, especially toward the evening/after dinner, when I often need to unhook my bra or even take it off.

I'm sure many of you can relate when I say that going braless is not the most comfortable feeling right now - my boobs are not tiny but they are definitely hanging lower! And since a lift or any other kind of reconstruction is probably not in my future, I really need to get this figured out. (My husband offered to walk behind me all day holding them up, haha - I mentioned scaffold, lol).

Any ideas on what the pain is, how to avoid/eliminate, and good bras/good places to get, are much appreciated!

Thank you

[GreenTealael 25,609]

Hey Ladies!
I have not been around much lately, but it looks like everyone is doing great! Congratulations on your continued success! I am personally feeling pretty well for the most part. I am still dealing with my chronic pain issues, which are exacerbated by my reignited flame (the gym, lol). But I am having an issue and wondering if anyone else has had and can share advice?
I am having bra issues. Some of it is just the typical stuff that everyone is going through with trying to find new bras...figuring out what is the right size now...adequate support...and of course comfort, without spending a small fortune - especially considering the size could change again (I have refrained from buying so far with the exception of a couple sports bras and a couple wire-free comfort bras).
The real problem I am having is that Every Single Bra I wear compresses on my diaphragm area - which I guess they typically do - but it is really uncomfortable (often seriously painful) since the surgery. The pain seems to be worse in the center, so I don't know if it is pressing on the area at the top of the sleeve and it's still just sensitive (6 1/2 months out though...), but I am serious when I say it gets bad.
I have always been an underwire girl. At my highest weight I wore a 48DD. I'm down around a 38DD/40D right now (hard for me to find that perfect fit), so you would think there would be LESS pressure now than ever! Especially since my stomach is smaller too! But it doesn't matter if I am wearing underwire, or a firmer/non-underwire sports bra, or even these stretchy super-comfy no-seams no-wires leisure bras (back closure), I still end up with the pain, especially toward the evening/after dinner, when I often need to unhook my bra or even take it off.
I'm sure many of you can relate when I say that going braless is not the most comfortable feeling right now - my boobs are not tiny but they are definitely hanging lower! And since a lift or any other kind of reconstruction is probably not in my future, I really need to get this figured out. (My husband offered to walk behind me all day holding them up, haha - I mentioned scaffold, lol).
Any ideas on what the pain is, how to avoid/eliminate, and good bras/good places to get, are much appreciated!
Thank you [emoji4]

You need to be professionally fitted, not by a 20 yr old in Lane Bryant (forgive them they know not what they do) but an old Lingerie shop owner from the old world , you get my point... I believe you are in an incorrect band size, no reason your under wire should be on your diaphragm, it should sit up significantly higher. I was once in a 44 H now a 36 DDD, 38DDD, 38DD or 40DD depending on the bra type and manufacturer. There's a lot of variation.

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 169

[TakingABreak 2,733]

I wish I could offer advice. I still haven't found a good bra since I've lost weight. Last month, I went to Lane Bryant who fitted me as a DDD, which is what I was before surgery, I about died laughing at her. My boobs have DRASTICALLY gone down. I think Lane Bryant has some serious vanity sizing in their bra department. I wear a 38D at Walmart.... and I'm not hanging out in the slightest.

[MIZ60 1,291]

For me, the most comfortable bras right now are some underwire camisole ones that are considered Shapewear but I wear them all the time. They tuck in to your panties and create a smoother line and there is no pressure around the band or fat roll below the band. Maidenform, Spanx and others make these but I usually find them at stores like Ross and SteinMart or on eBay. A little hard to get into (step in and PULLLLL up) but once on they are quite comfortable and eliminate the muffin top phenomenon with pants or jeans.

I have a couple of these right here that I love called Slim Cognito from Spanx. I did a quick search and apparently you can get them online from WalMart….who knew??

Edited July 17, 2018 by MIZ60

[TakingABreak 2,733]

10 minutes ago, MIZ60 said:

For me, the most comfortable bras right now are some underwire camisole ones that are considered Shapewear but I wear them all the time. They tuck in to your panties and create a smoother line and there is no pressure around the band or fat roll below the band. Maidenform, Spanx and others make these but I usually find them at stores like Ross and SteinMart or on eBay. A little hard to get into (step in and PULLLLL up) but once on they are quite comfortable and eliminate the muffin top phenomenon with pants or jeans.

I have a couple of these right here that I love called Slim Cognito from Spanx. I did a quick search and apparently you can get them online from WalMart….who knew??

I can't tell from the picture, is this a full body shaper? or just the camisole?

I buy all my shapers from Walmart, I buy the Cupid brand. I mostly wear briefs though. They wash really well!

[MIZ60 1,291]

7 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

I can't tell from the picture, is this a full body shaper? or just the camisole?

I buy all my shapers from Walmart, I buy the Cupid brand. I mostly wear briefs though. They wash really well!

Just the camisole.....snap crotch stuff gives me flashbacks to bodysuits I wore in high school or kids' onesies

[TakingABreak 2,733]

Just now, MIZ60 said:

Just the camisole.....snap crotch stuff gives me flashbacks to bodysuits I wore in high school or kids' onesies

I only have one that is full body and I reserve it for outfits that I need that extra squeeze. Do you feel like the camisoles roll up? that would be my only fear.

[MIZ60 1,291]

I tuck them into my regular panties if I am wearing jeans or capris. If I am wearing dress pants, skirts or dresses (work) I pair them with a pair of Shapewear bike short that end a little above the knee. Everything stays put and easier to go to the bathroom. I do have a couple of shapewear slips and full body suits that I only wear with my fancy dresses on a cruise or other vacation since they are not as comfortable.

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

I love my Spanx cami bra, Kohls has neen out of stock for it for awhile now, good to know Walmart has them online, thanks!

Ah geez - get my hopes up - just looked ' out of stock' 'or no longer making' - was what I got on websites.

Edited July 17, 2018 by Sosewsue61

[Taylor5 98]

3 hours ago, MIZ60 said:

I have a couple of these right here that I love called Slim Cognito from Spanx. I did a quick search and apparently you can get them online from WalMart….who knew??

These look nice, thank you. I will definitely look into them. Huh, I guess options are opening up at Walmart? !

[Taylor5 98]

1 hour ago, Sosewsue61 said:

Ah geez - get my hopes up - just looked ' out of stock' 'or no longer making' - was what I got on websites.

Dang it!

[Taylor5 98]

4 hours ago, Tealael said:

You need to be professionally fitted, not by a 20 yr old in Lane Bryant (forgive them they know not what they do) but an old Lingerie shop owner from the old world , you get my point...

I've actually had that done years ago. The size they recommended was uncomfortable to me. I understand the "science" behind it, so to speak, but measuring under the crease of the bust (36" for me right now) always ends up with a # for band width that feels much too constricting. Then I measure around the fullest part and counting up one cup letter for each inch - (4 1/2-5" for me right now) takes me to a 36D-DD, but the 38DD or 40D (dep on manufacturer, as you mentioned) seem to fit better.

As for the underwire being near my diaphragm...the underside crease of my breast is about an inch above the center of my diaphragm. Since all the bras I wear right now are causing the pain, it's not necessarily the underwire causing it but definitely the pressure from the bottom of the bras - which always hits just above that area, especially when sitting. I'm sure the weight of the girls themselves isn't helping, but even my best bras can't seem to alleviate the problem. And while my stomach isn't exactly flat yet, it's much closer than it used to be.

I've felt discomfort from bras before, but never right in this spot repeatedly and to the point of having to take my bra off before bedtime because it is so uncomfortable. I just thought maybe others had experienced this as well. It has to be surgery related because as I type this I'm realizing how close this all is to the top center incision line. Maybe coincidence, maybe not...

[GreenTealael 25,609]

I've actually had that done years ago. The size they recommended was uncomfortable to me. I understand the "science" behind it, so to speak, but measuring under the crease of the bust (36" for me right now) always ends up with a # for band width that feels much too constricting. Then I measure around the fullest part and counting up one cup letter for each inch - (4 1/2-5" for me right now) takes me to a 36D-DD, but the 38DD or 40D (dep on manufacturer, as you mentioned) seem to fit better.
As for the underwire being near my diaphragm...the underside crease of my breast is about an inch above the center of my diaphragm. Since all the bras I wear right now are causing the pain, it's not necessarily the underwire causing it but definitely the pressure from the bottom of the bras - which always hits just above that area, especially when sitting. I'm sure the weight of the girls themselves isn't helping, but even my best bras can't seem to alleviate the problem. And while my stomach isn't exactly flat yet, it's much closer than it used to be.
I've felt discomfort from bras before, but never right in this spot repeatedly and to the point of having to take my bra off before bedtime because it is so uncomfortable. I just thought maybe others had experienced this as well. It has to be surgery related because as I type this I'm realizing how close this all is to the top center incision line. Maybe coincidence, maybe not...

I have also experienced this type of discomfort until I was in the right bra, you may just have to try on a lot different of types until it feels right again, but don't count out another fitting...

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 169