Somewhat silly question for the ladies who've had a Neph

In particular an Open surgery:  how long before you could wear a bra? Sealed.  I'm, ahem, large busted and cannot stand being braless.  I'm concerned that my open scar will prevent me from donning undergarments.  How far up the side does the incision go?  Can I wear a front closure style?  I gather pulling clothes over my head will be painful, so that rules out sports bras, and no way am I asking my family to help me wear the back closure ones.  Any insight to share?

 

 

Comments

  • Suekub
    Suekub Member Posts: 137
    I had a midline incision

    From just under breasts to about 4 cms under navel (about 30cm) and didn't have any trouble with a bra after about a week. Hope this helps. Good luck with your surgery.

     

  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member
    Suekub said:

    I had a midline incision

    From just under breasts to about 4 cms under navel (about 30cm) and didn't have any trouble with a bra after about a week. Hope this helps. Good luck with your surgery.

     

    Open nephrectomy and bra

    I had an open neph just under my diaphragm going down my left side. I don't remember having a lot of issues for short term wear. I did buy bra extender hooks because I wasn't sure if I would be swollen after. They did come in handy to keep it more comfy. The roughest is your first week, after that dressing etc. can be easily managed. God bless.

  • mom2two
    mom2two Member Posts: 48
    flank incision

    I have had a lot of surgeries including a partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy with a midline incision. It was a difficult surgery bc I lost a lot of blood . which left me very week. I also have a lot of pain in the pancreas area...but not so much incisionally. I never had trouble putting on a bra.

    I am thinking that with a "side" or "flank" incision it is going to be a whole other ball game. I actually just was wondering the same thing. Most sports bras do go over your head, and that doesn't sound very appealing with my side cut (including muscles). So I bought a Warner's (?) Barely There in a band size bigger so it will be looser. 

    I think this is a great question, and I hope someone will weigh in that has had the side or flank incision. Thank you though for the input.

     

    Take care,
    Kathy

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
    mom2two said:

    flank incision

    I have had a lot of surgeries including a partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy with a midline incision. It was a difficult surgery bc I lost a lot of blood . which left me very week. I also have a lot of pain in the pancreas area...but not so much incisionally. I never had trouble putting on a bra.

    I am thinking that with a "side" or "flank" incision it is going to be a whole other ball game. I actually just was wondering the same thing. Most sports bras do go over your head, and that doesn't sound very appealing with my side cut (including muscles). So I bought a Warner's (?) Barely There in a band size bigger so it will be looser. 

    I think this is a great question, and I hope someone will weigh in that has had the side or flank incision. Thank you though for the input.

     

    Take care,
    Kathy

    Amazing..!

    Yes Amazing that I am the first guy to volunteer to hold those babies up for you while you heal...!  Glad you got a real answer from some of our better "halfs" in here.. Good Luck..!!

    Ron :)

  • Eims
    Eims Member Posts: 423
    hi rainsandpours, no issues

    hi rainsandpours, no issues here either for bras but what i did get was nice comfy yoga pants to wear afterwards and nice lose tops.  they were my saviour...about a week or so after the surgery my side started to itch like crazy with the healing and they helped.  i was wearing a bra a day or two after the op because the way i looked at it was...i might look like shite but i want something to look ok!!!  honestly its not painful and if you just fasten them at the front and turn it around i promise you will be grand....

    eims x

     

    ps...trust you ron Wink

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
    Eims said:

    hi rainsandpours, no issues

    hi rainsandpours, no issues here either for bras but what i did get was nice comfy yoga pants to wear afterwards and nice lose tops.  they were my saviour...about a week or so after the surgery my side started to itch like crazy with the healing and they helped.  i was wearing a bra a day or two after the op because the way i looked at it was...i might look like shite but i want something to look ok!!!  honestly its not painful and if you just fasten them at the front and turn it around i promise you will be grand....

    eims x

     

    ps...trust you ron Wink

    Hi Eims.. trust me..?? ha ha

    Hi Eims.. trust me..?? ha ha ha...  you are funny..!  OK, guess the real point is that the pain for me, and most is down low... not up high, as I recall..  I had no issues with my arm movements or putting on T Shirts.

    Ron

  • rainsandpours
    rainsandpours Member Posts: 136
    GSRon said:

    Hi Eims.. trust me..?? ha ha

    Hi Eims.. trust me..?? ha ha ha...  you are funny..!  OK, guess the real point is that the pain for me, and most is down low... not up high, as I recall..  I had no issues with my arm movements or putting on T Shirts.

    Ron

    Thank you for the replies!

    Thank you for the replies! It's a relief to know the "girls" will be supported hehe.  I've already got a bunch of yoga pants and leggings, which I live in currently anyway.  They came in handy when I had my Lap gallbladder removal in May.

     

    Good idea about buying a bit larger- I think I'll pick up a few without underwire.

  • TillieSOK
    TillieSOK Member Posts: 252

    Thank you for the replies!

    Thank you for the replies! It's a relief to know the "girls" will be supported hehe.  I've already got a bunch of yoga pants and leggings, which I live in currently anyway.  They came in handy when I had my Lap gallbladder removal in May.

     

    Good idea about buying a bit larger- I think I'll pick up a few without underwire.

    I had no problems with

    I had no problems with putting on a bra, cause my surgeon was good enough to put the top two lap incisions low enough the band doesn't/didn't bother me.  However......he put the largest incision vertical smack dab across my waistline!  So I bought lots of cheapy yoga pants and shorts with the roll down waist band.  It has healed, more or less, but I still can't wear anything tight around my waist.  Thank God for the "big shirts", empire waist dresses, and yoga pants! LOL