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cancer update

The Most Comfortable Bra Made For Any Breast Including Mastectomy

The Perfect Bra Made For Any Breast Including Mastectomy
Bra: c/o Sophia Rose Intimates (20% off with code ‘WELOVERACH’)
Sweatpants: Uniqlo
Cami: Target

I will admit that pre breast cancer diagnosis, I never really cared about my bra. As long as it was on sale, I’d buy a few and that would be that. That mentality was because I was small chested. I was a 32A and still couldn’t fill in the bra. So as long as my chest was covered, I was fine. I actually embraced my small chest.

Sophia Rose Bra

Sophia Rose Bra: The Most Comfortable Bra Made For Any Breast Including Mastectomy

My Reconstruction

My mentality about having good support changed after my bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. In fact, my breast went from a 32A to a 32C. Many have asked me if I requested to go larger, and the answer is no I didn’t. As I mentioned above, I loved my small chest and didn’t care to go bigger. So when my plastic surgeon asked me what size of implants I wanted, I told her whatever will retain the size I have. However, they didn’t make implants as small as mine (go figure haha!). So she suggested to go with 250cc. That size happened to be one of the smallest and also filled in as much space as possible post-surgery to avoid having any saggy or loose skin.


About My Mastectomy

If you’re not familiar with mastectomies, here’s a little background about mine. First of all, it should not ever be used synonymously with breast augmentation. They are two completely DIFFERENT surgeries. Definitely a major pet peeve when my mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is compared to a “boob job”.

For my surgery, they took out everything in the chest area: breast tissues, nerves, and muscle (can you see how that is different from a breast augmentation?). Fortunately, they were able to spare the nipple and skin due to good margins. However, when all of the aforementioned was taken out, the 250cc implants were needed to fill in the empty space and provide a proper fit with the spared skin. Therefore, I woke up 9 hours later with a 32C.

Sophia Rose Bra for mastectomy

After my foobies healed and I was given the okay to wear normal bras, I noticed I struggled finding the right bra. What I thought worked, didn’t. I noticed the wires were cutting into my implants, the band was too snug, and there was an abundance of push-up bras (which I didn’t think I needed anymore). The only type of bra that I felt was the most comfortable was bralettes. I love bralettes! Unfortunately, they didn’t provide the coverage and support I needed.

The Most Comfortable Bra

This bra is made for any breast

It wasn’t until I went to the Young Survival Coalition Summit in March that I learned there are several assistance and support groups for women who were and are diagnosed with breast cancer. By learning about those groups, I felt a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. It was here that I learned about Sophia Rose Intimates.

Sophia Rose Bra for mastectomy

I was initially drawn by the blush color and lace fabric. So beautiful! It wasn’t until I found the courage to speak with Sophia Rose co-founders, Adelene and Carolyn, that I TRULY learned about the line. Sophia Rose intimates was inspired by the journey of breast cancer survivors. The journey is close to home for them because their mother is a breast cancer survivor and they saw first hand the frustration with shopping for a bra after a mastectomy. They noticed the options were limited and the styles & aesthetic didn’t always make women feel beautiful.

Therefore, they decided to change that and create a line that meets the needs of women post-mastectomy. Actually, the needs of any type of breast: mastectomy, reconstruction, natural breast, or anything in between while maintaining an elegant and beautiful collection.  Basically, a lingerie line that makes women feel beautiful. When going through cancer, sometimes feeling beautiful or feeling yourself is hard. For me, it was hard to feel beautiful. I didn’t feel feminine. The changes all over your body make it hard to feel like it is your own.

Why Sophia Rose?

Sophia Rose Bra for MastectomyWhen I tried on a Sophia Rose bra at the YSC Summit, I was amazed!! I was blown away by how comfortable the bra was! It felt as comfortable (if not more) as a bralette while providing maximum support. I was jumping for joy that I found the right bra. I can walk around all day in their bras and still feel comfortable. It’s so soft and cozy.

I also loved the style and look of the collection. The colors (bright peony and deep violet) are so pretty! The scallop lining and lace fabric are so feminine. Although no one would ever see these garments, I felt so feminine. It gave me some confidence and that helped me feel beautiful.
One of the main reasons why I think their bras are so comfortable is because the bra is wireless. This means no-dig band. Below is a more detailed description on the construction of Sophia Rose Intimates.

Comfortable Mastectomy bra


Optimized for Comfort

Sophia Rose Optimized for Comfort


Designed for Beauty

Sophia Rose Designed for Beauty


Engineered for Support

Bra Engineered for Support

This is seriously the perfect bra! Without a doubt it is worth trying out. So if you are considering it, try it out for 20% off by using the code ‘WELOVERACH‘. This is such a great deal and I promise you, you will love it!

Their sizing is a little different, so I highly recommend that you follow their bra sizing guide. They carry the sizes 34B, 34C, 34D, 36C, 36D, 38B, 38C, and 38D.  If none of these sizes are yours, no worries! . Remember how I mentioned I’m a 32C? Well this means I fit in their 34B bra and it fits perfectly! If you have any questions about sizing,  you can contact them at [email protected] 


Made for Mastectomy

 

Bra Made for Mastectomy

Aside from comfort and support, this Sophia Rose bra is also made for women who only underwent a mastectomy (bilateral or unilateral). Therefore, their bras have pockets for breast prosthesis. They also offer a breast form size guide as well!

As I previously mentioned, if you are not ready to pay full price, you can get it for 20% off. Just make sure you use the code ‘WELOVERACH’.


Afterthoughts on the Journey with My Body

The Perfect Bra Made For Any Breast Including MastectomyYou probably noticed I am exposing quite a bit of skin in these photos. Since this brand is also about feeling beautiful, I wanted to show you guys that I felt so beautiful in this line that I felt comfortable showing some skin! However, it did take me a long time to get to this point. It’s not always easy feeling good in my own skin and it took a lot of work to get to this point.

Cancer treatments and the journey take a toll on you physically and mentally.  I definitely will share more about this when I am ready. I’m almost there but not quite. I still need to feel comfortable sharing those details. But I wanted to share with you guys that although I’m not 100%, the fact that I can feel this way again is a good sign and is good progress. Just wanted to share this with you guys and let you guys know I am getting there. 🙂

xo RD

 

Keep on reading...
8 Ways To Support A Friend With Cancer8 Ways To Be A Good Friend To Someone With Cancer
What To Wear After A Mastectomy Without Losing StyleWhat To Wear After A Mastectomy Without Losing Style
Chicago Pregnancy Announcement - Having A Baby After CancerWe Are Having A Baby!!!

Comments

  5. Andrea Nine says

    I'm glad you're making progress and how incredibly great to share this so others can be inspired and know they will feel good again. A beautiful collection shared by a most beautiful gal!! xo

    Reply

  10. Oh to Be a Muse says

    These photos are so lovely. It's so nice that you've found a bra that works for you after your surgery. And I didn't know people thought mastectomies were the same as augmentations. They're completely different!

    Reply

  11. Kim says

    So glad you found a bra that worked well for you after your surgery! Thanks for explaining the differences between a mastectomy and breast augmentation too. That was really interesting to read, since I have never learned that before! I never really cared about my bra before, but now I'm thinking that maybe I should!!

    Kim
    Simply Lovebirds

    Reply

    • Rach DiMare says

      I'm glad I did too! Unfortunately, people assume that since implants are involved they assume it is the same as boob job. Thanks so much for taking the time to read. If you ever try this bra, please let me know!

      Reply

  19. Stephanie Whitman says

    This post is so beautiful! Not only do I love the stunning bras, but I love your courage in sharing your journey and your body! It shows your beauty on the inside as well as the outside! You're an amazing individual, and I admire you so much!

    Reply

  36. Janet McCausland says

    OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for this post! I was just complaining (vehemently) about the horrible, ugly, non-sexy bras I’ve been forced to wear since my mastectomy. I chose not to get reconstructive surgery, so finding a pretty bra that accommodated the prosthesis was an unsuccessful chore. So thank you so very much! And as soon as I get these beautiful bras, my husband will thank you, as well! LOL!

    Reply

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