| Fitting
There is never one bra to suit everyone. Each person has a different body shape. You should be properly fitted for a mastectomy bra. Poor shape, posture and comfort is often due to a poor choice of bra.
Measuring is done before your are fitted with a bra and prosthesis. Often you have lost or gained weight since your surgery or a previous fitting. Your natural breast changes with this change of weight. So a fitting is always recommended.
If you have any open skin areas (eg from areas that are draining), DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET FITTED AT THIS TIME. You should be completely healed and free of any swelling, tenderness and skin irritation or breakdown before you can proceed.
When choosing a breast form you need to consider the weight of your previous breast(s) so you are able to maintain proper balance and posture. Selecting the proper shape and size breast form begins with the type of surgery you have had and the best style of bra that fits your remaining breast. As you choose a breast form, take into consideration the type of natural breast tissue that is remaining, the skin, and tissue firmness.
Breast forms companies have their own sizing charts. You always purchase breastforms by your bra band size and the cup size you would like to achieve.
Take a soft tape measure and measure around your body where your bra band sits on your body (wearing your bra may help).
Looking in the mirror helps.
Pull the tape snug but NOT tight.
Make sure the tape is even all around your body and not hanging down in back.
When you take this measurement, round to the closest whole inch either up or down.
Example: If your measurement is 33 3/8", round to 33". If your measurement is 33 1/2" or more, round to 34".
Bra bands come in even numbers. If the rounded measurement you come up with is an even number, add 4". If the rounded measurement you come up with is an odd number, add 5".
Band size - Example: Uneven 33"+ 5" = 38........Even 34" + 4" = 38.
Another way to measure for band size - measure around your body, above your chest at your underarm level. If this measurement is an odd number, add 1" which will give you your approx. band size.
If measurement is less than 33":
- Add 5" if measurement is an odd number
- Add 4" if measurement is an even number
If measurement is 33" to less than 38":
- Add 3" if measurement is an odd number
- Add 4" if measurement is an even number
If measurement is 38" or more:
- Add between 0" to no more than 2" (to reach an even number)
** Please note - this is an approx. band size to start working with.....there are always exceptions.
As the band size increases, so does the cup size of the bra. Therefore a 38C is going to be smaller in the cup than a 40C. You would then try a 40B to maintain your similar cup size. This works the other way as well. If your 38C was too large in the band, then you would try a 36D to maintain your cup size. End result is 40B, 38C, 36D would all wear the same breast form size.
Your bra should fit you snug but not tight.
When purchasing your new bra, you should be doing it up on the center set of hooks.
If you can only comfortably do it up on the first set of hooks, making the bra fit the largest, then you need to go up in the band to 40 and down in the cup to a B.
If you are doing your bra up on the third set of hooks, making the bra fit the smallest, then you need to go down in the band to a 36, but up in the cup to a D.
Your bra band should be even all around your body and not raised up in back.
If it is, the fit is not good, make sure you adjusted your shoulder strap length first and if
it is still raised in back, you need to try a different bra style
Your breast forms should be positioned and fit half way between your elbow and your shoulder for a natural look.
The center of your bra should fit against the sternum of your body.
-
The correct cup size...
- Measure from the center of the chest around the fullest area of the natural breast to the center of the back.
- Take that measurement times 2. Example: 19” x 2 = 38”
- If this measurement is:
the same or up to 1” larger than the bra size......A cup
1” - 2” larger than the bra size..........................B cup
2” - 3” larger than the bra size..........................C cup
3” - 4” larger than the bra size..........................D cup
4” - 5” larger than the bra size..........................DD cup
This is the correct cup size (again, this may vary if you have to go up or down a size on the band size. Example : a 36C cup fits like a 38B cup.
Choose the styles and sizes from the charts below: All suggested chart sizes are only a guideline to help begin a fitting. A different style or size may be needed to insure a proper fit
NEARLY ME® Fitting Guide for numerical sized forms
|
32
(70cm) |
34
(75cm) |
36
(80cm) |
38
(85cm) |
40
(90cm) |
42
(95cm) |
44
(100cm) |
46
(105cm) |
48
(110cm) |
50
(115cm) |
A |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
B |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
C |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
D |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
|
DD |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
|
|
Please note this is a guideline only.
|
