In the Dressing Room

After a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, your f(oo)bs don’t require the same kind of bra style or support they used to. Same for the flat and fabulous ladies out there. Underwires are now ill fitting, and oftentimes very uncomfortable. Not to mention, underwires often can cause unnecessary pain after breast surgery.  Different reconstruction options yield different results, so molded cups that leave gaps and puckering are no longer a viable option. So, what’s a girl to do? 

Meet your new BFF: The Wirefree Bra. Wireless, cupless bras are the new essentials to your lingerie drawer, because they work for you if you have two breasts, one breast, or no breasts at all.

Unfortunately, our doctors don’t exactly give us style advice on pretty bras to wear after a single mastectomy, and post-op care doesn’t come with a catalogue on what bras will flatter our natural boob and flat side simultaneously. Is it really so much to ask for a little bit of guidance on how to ensure our self-confidence will heal along with our surgical side?! It’s enough to make anyone crazy, frustrated, and uncomfortable.

By now we’ve accepted that our doctors are the experts in cancer, not lingerie options. Fortunately, our team at AnaOno has seen it ALL, and have you covered (literally and physically), so you can find a unilateral bra that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Guest Post: Katharine Doughty

When I found a lump in my chest in early 2010, I was ten years into a series of 26 self-portraits with four 4 images to complete. A theme of reclaiming runs throughout the project: reclaiming of self-representation, of our personal and collective stories and the power of visual image. Be it ten years or ten minutes, the essential gift is the same: focused discovery and reflection via the arts allows us to be a witness to ourselves. To hear and respond creatively to our bodies with our bodies is to reclaim a role in the healing of our bodies.

With the start of another new month, comes a new theme: RECOVERY. Recovery is crucial for our bodies, minds and overall health. It’s the time to give your body a break so that you can heal faster. However, as many of us know, recovery isn't just for after surgery. It's a constant. Once you've been through it, you are always trying to heal, rest, find a new version of yourself, and try styles and solutions that help you along the way. Here’s some helpful recovery tips and suggestions to keep in mind for your recovery.