The hospital staff sent me home with a pink velcro bra for the first few days and weeks after my lumpectomy. While it did the job, it was scratchy, stained from the post-surgical site and stitches. As a 36DD, I knew I pretty soon would need a better option.

Like a lot of women, I’ve had some trouble finding the best post-surgery bras for my lumpectomy in the days and weeks following immediate recovery. My doctor had suggested finding a front-closure bra post-surgery (to limited reaching and twisting).

I set out to find the perfect front-closure bra for week 2-8 after my lumpectomy that would replace the flimsy hospital velcro bra for a comfortable, supportive, post-surgery bra.

(Every woman is different. Even every lumpectomy surgery can have different needs. Some of us, after our lumpectomy, need compression bras for weeks, and others are out in no time. Since I know, personally, how difficult this journey can be, I wanted to share my experience, as a 65-year old woman, still recovering from a lumpectomy.)

The Best Post-Surgery Bras for Lumpectomy Recovery

Your doctor should give you plenty of guidance on what to wear after your surgery, and I definitely recommend taking their advice – they’ll know what’s going to be beneficial for your recovery most.

But, based on my experience, I’d recommend putting one thing first: comfort. You’re going to be incredibly tender, and have limited mobility in your arm and chest area, so prioritize:

• Front Closure: For a few weeks post surgery,  you absolutely shouldn’t be reaching behind your back to open and close your bra. A front-closure bra is absolutely necessary for post lumpectomy.  Front-closure bras come in a range of styles though

• Soft Material: Soft, smooth material is going to make a huge difference here. Make sure it’s breathable, as you can sweat a lot during difficult recovery stages. Avoid any bulky seams where possible too (as they can rub against your surgery site). 

• Consider Compression: Personally, compression was only necessary for me for the first week or so. I’ve had other friends who needed compression bras for up to 4 weeks. This is a mix of compression bras after lumpectomy and non-compression bras. Ask your doctor whether they think compression might be able to help with the pain.

• Wireless Design: You’re (probably) going to be wearing your bra 24/7 after surgery – even when you’re sleeping. Wires can really dig in over time, and cause irritation around the surgery site, so I’d recommend avoiding them.

With that out of the way, let’s dive into some of the top picks I’ve tried. 

My First Attempt: Silverts Adaptive Front Snap Bra

★★☆☆☆

My doctor recommended looking for “adaptive bras” to help with my recovery – as they’re usually designed for people who need simplicity and comfort. Silverts was one of the first companies I found on Google, and their “Adaptive Snap Closure” bra looked decent enough. 

It didn’t offer any compression – but I wasn’t too worried about that to begin with. What it did have was a front-closure (with buttons instead of clips), and a wire-free design. The wide straps are decent for reducing shoulder pain, and there’s no padding that rubs against your skin. 

I also really like the soft, breathable fabric. But honestly, this bra wasn’t ideal for me. It doesn’t really make me feel supported, and the buttons can occasionally pop open when I’m moving around. This might be a good option for sleeping during late-stage recovery, but that’s about it.

My Second Attempt: Masthead Elizabeth Pink

★★★☆☆

Masthead is one of the few companies I found that actually specializes in some of the best bras for post-surgery recovery. It’s founder is actually a radiation oncologist who went through a surgery herself, so she understands exactly what women need. 

The Elizabeth Pink surgical bra is a fantastic option for any kind of breast surgery, particularly during the early stages (around the first six weeks). It’s made with a special fabric that offers a little compression, without rubbing against your skin. 

The great thing about this bra is that it also comes with adjustable side openings, and strategically placed loops to hold JP drain bulbs. It’s definitely a handy bra, but it’s only something you’re going to wear during your initial recovery (you won’t want those rings dangling by your waist for long). 

Also, the Velcro front closures are handy, but they’re not 100% reliable. I was a little worried that my bra was going to come undone from time to time.

My Third Attempt: Marena Caress 

★★★☆☆

Marena is another great company specializing in adaptive bras and post-surgery clothing. One thing I like about this company is that their bras don’t look overly clinical – they’re still pretty and modern – they’re just designed for those of us who have a few special requirements.

The Marena Caress bra is one of the company’s low-coverage option, which offers targeted compression, and plenty of adjustable elements. You can detach the straps, for clinical viewing purposes, and the locking front-zipper closure makes it easy to get your bra off on and on.

There’s also a “flex fit” cup, that can help to reshape your breast a little after you’re done with the initial recovery period. I really like this bra – particularly for the outward facing seams. However, I did find it a little expensive, and less supportive than I would have liked. 

My Fourth Attempt: AnaOna Rora Pocketed Front Closure Bra

★★★★☆

Founded by another breast cancer survivor, AnaOna offers a brilliant range of bras for mastectomy and lumpectomy patients. My absolute favorite option is the Rora pocketed bra – designed specifically for comfort and practicality. 

It was even voted one of the best post-surgery bras for lumpectomy recovery by InStyle magazine. Like most of the options here, it comes with a front-closing design, an extra-wide back bridge for fantastic support, and soft, irritation-free material. 

There are also pocketed cups, so you can add modesty pads, breast forms, or prostheses as needed. What I really love about this bra is how soft and comfortable it really is. It also looks and feels a lot like a standard sports bra, so I don’t feel like I’m wearing something I picked up at a clinic. 

The front closure is a little tricky though, as it still relies on clips, rather than buttons, or Velcro. So if you have painful fingers like me (blasted arthritis), this might not be the best pick. 

My Winner: The Liberare Comfort Sculpt Bra

★★★★★

While Liberare doesn’t design bras specifically for people recovering from breast surgery, it does offer comfortable, easy-to-wear and adaptive bras for people with all kinds of needs. The Liberare Comfort Sculpt Bra became my go-to option both during and after my recovery for a few reasons:

It doesn’t offer compression– but again, that wasn’t something I really wanted during my recovery.

What it does give you is the EASIEST front closure post surgery bra to put on. I hated the snaps, the zippers and the velcros on the other ones. most buttery-smooth soft material you can imagine, combined with a really innovative front-closing clasp. 

The clasp features magnets which help to guide the front sections of the bra together, so you can clip everything into place without struggling. Don’t worry, the magnets aren’t responsible for holding your bra closed on their own, they’re just there to help with the clips.

This bra also comes with removable cups, for a little extra shape, extra wide straps, and a large back panel for seamless coverage. All that, and there are no wires to worry about either. For me, it’s the perfect comfort bra. 

 

I saw a woman post-lumpectomy review Liberare's other bra that I wanted to try but as a 36DD, it was too small. It is a good showcase of how the bra works.

 

The Best Post-Surgery Bra for Lumpectomy Recovery

Honestly, all the bras I tried above have something to love about them, whether it’s an easy front-closure, or just super-soft material. I think all of us women need to go through a little bit of an “experimental phase” when we’re trying to find the best bra after surgery.

Hopefully though, I’ve given you a useful insight into what really works for me, so you can start your search without feeling completely overwhelmed. Good luck with your recovery, and I hope you’re feeling happy, comfortable, and confident again soon!