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For people who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy, finding the most comfortable clothes — from mastectomy bras to tops — can take a bit of work. And finding the best mastectomy swimsuits? That’s an even bigger task. Finding articles of clothing that support and cover as needed, offer space for healing areas, hold a breast prosthesis (if that’s desired), and that actually look cute and like clothes you’d want to wear can feel like a hefty wish list.
But it’s 2024, and more and more brands are rising to the challenge by creating clothes that are comfortable and desirable for people with different bodies. The options for mastectomy swimsuits are likely way better than whatever you might be envisioning, which means people living with breast cancer and survivors can hit the pool, beach, or waterpark feeling confident and comfy.
“I’ve loved seeing patients of ours and other women who’ve had mastectomies and other breast cancer surgery looking absolutely amazing in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoots,” Dr. Anne Peled, M.D. breast cancer surgeon and co-director of the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence at Sutter Health, tells SheKnows. It is such an incredible illustration of how far we’ve come in breast cancer treatment.”
If you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help.
According to Dr. Peled, who is a breast cancer survivor herself, there are a couple things to keep in mind while shopping for swimwear. “The top things I’d recommend for getting a swimsuit post-mastectomy are to find something that will ideally stay in place well when moving around, has the option to put padding or prostheses in, and has UPF protection.”
The Lands’ End Tugless One Piece, for instance, is a swimsuit Dr. Peled recommends. “It has UPF protection plus has higher coverage around the neck and arms if people are concerned about covering up scars.”
She also shouted out the Amoena Wire-Free Bikinis, which she says her patients have been really happy with. “Having a wire-free option is great because you can still get good support, but don’t need to worry about discomfort or healing issues from underwire in the months after surgery.”
One she has personally used herself? Athleta’s sleeveless UPF rash guards. “These offered great protection to cover up all of the areas where I’d had radiation and surgery that were sensitive to the sun, but still made me feel confident in how I looked on the beach,” she said.
We’ve scoured the Internet for the best mastectomy swimsuits on the market that will suit people of all body types who have had a mastectomy. Read on for our favorite 10 selections that might be a fit for you or someone you love.
A version of this story was first published in October 2021.
This article was originally published on sheknows.com.
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