How to Measure for a Mastectomy Bra: An Anita Care Fitting Guide

How to measure for a mastectomy bra is much the same as measuring for any bra: one measurement under the bust for the band, and one around the fullest part for the cup. What changes is how the cup, the pocket and the breast form are matched to each other, and that is where a fitting helps most.

We fit Anita Care bras in our lingerie department, and we take real time over it. Fitting is free and you do not need to book.

At a glance

• Every Anita Care bra is wire-free, with a soft pocket on both sides
• Measure over a soft, well-fitting bra without underwires
• The cup is matched to your other breast, and the breast form to the cup
• Anita grade each bra C1, C2 or C3 for light, medium or firm support
• Front-fastening cotton bras are made for the first weeks after surgery

• How to measure for a mastectomy bra
• Pockets and breast forms
• Anita Care support levels
• The Anita Care bras we stock
• Frequently asked questions

How to measure for a mastectomy bra

Anita suggest taking your measurements over a well-fitting bra, ideally one without underwires. A soft bra you are comfortable in after surgery is fine. You will need a soft tape measure.

• Measure snugly around your ribcage, directly under the bust. This gives your band size.
• Measure around the widest part of the bust, keeping the tape level across your back.
• Work out the cup from the difference between the two, using our guide to how to measure bra size.

After surgery on one side, the cup is chosen to fit your remaining breast. The breast form then goes into the pocket on the other side to match it. After surgery on both sides, the cup and the forms are chosen together, to the shape you would like.

Anita are clear that a measurement is only a guide. The right size is the one that feels right when you try it on, and that is the part we can help with in the shop.

One sizing note. Anita is a German brand and uses single cup letters, so past a D the letter on an Anita bra can be one higher than your usual UK size. A UK DD is usually an Anita E.

Pockets and breast forms

The pockets sit inside each cup and hold a breast form securely against you. Because they are on both sides, the same bra works whichever side your surgery was on.

Anita advise that the pocket should match the size of the breast form, so the form sits snugly and does not move. Pockets come in cotton, soft stretch fabric or fine tulle, depending on the style.

In the first weeks after surgery, many women wear a soft, lightweight textile form. Anita make these for early care, and they can be adjusted with a little medical fleece. A silicone form usually comes later, once your scar has healed. Your breast care nurse is the best person to ask about timing.

Anita Care support levels

Every Anita Care bra carries a support level after its style number. It is a quick way to see how much hold a bra gives.

• C1 is light support, in lightweight, soft fabrics. Lotta is C1.
• C2 is medium support, with supportive fabric throughout. Allie is C2.
• C3 is firm support. That means a firmer cup, a reinforced back or wide, padded straps.

Lighter support often suits the early weeks and sensitive skin. Firmer support suits a fuller bust and long days on your feet. Some styles are also marked by Anita as suitable during and after radiotherapy.

The Anita Care bras we stock

These are the ones we keep in the most sizes and colours. All are on our mastectomy bras page.

• Allie has cotton pockets and a cup divided across the middle, with flat bands at the neckline and arms. We stock it in white and black, from a 32 to a 42 back and A to E cups.
• Safina is wire-free with timeless embroidery over a soft lining, in white, black, sand, crystal and shadow blue.
• Tonya has lightly padded cups, which give a smooth line under fine tops. We have it in black, maritime blue, champagne and skin.
• Havanna mixes floral stretch lace with soft tulle, in dark red.
• Lotta is a soft bustier with moulded cups and removable pads, sized XS to XXL rather than by cup. It is the softest of the bras we keep.

We also stock Anita Care swimwear with pockets built in, so you can swim with your breast form in place. Kista has a skirt, and Dirban comes in navy or black with white.

Come in whenever you are ready. A post-surgery fitting is free, you do not need to book, and nobody will hurry you. We are at 30 High Street, Shaftesbury, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm. If you would like to talk it through first, ring us on 01747 852444.

See our mastectomy bras

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure for a mastectomy bra?

Wear a soft bra without underwires and use a soft tape measure. Measure snugly around your ribcage directly under the bust for the band, then around the widest part of the bust with the tape level. The difference gives the cup. After surgery on one side, the cup is fitted to your remaining breast and the breast form is matched to it. Treat the result as a starting point, because the right size is the one that feels right when you try it on.

What is a mastectomy bra?

A mastectomy bra has a soft pocket inside each cup to hold a breast form securely. The Anita Care bras we stock are all wire-free, with soft edges and wider straps for comfort. Pockets on both sides mean the same bra works whichever side your surgery was on. From the outside, most look just like an ordinary bra, in lace, embroidery or plain cotton.

Can you wear an underwired bra after a mastectomy?

Anita Care bras are all made without underwires, because a wire can press on tender areas and scar tissue. Whether and when you can go back to an underwired bra is a question for your surgeon or breast care nurse. Many women find a well-fitted wire-free bra gives them all the support they need.

What do C1, C2 and C3 mean on Anita Care bras?

They are Anita's support levels. C1 is light support, in soft, lightweight fabrics. C2 is medium support, with supportive fabric throughout the bra. C3 is firm support, with at least one of a firmer cup, a reinforced back or wide, padded straps. The level is printed after the style number, so you can see at a glance how much hold a bra gives.

Which bra is best in the first weeks after surgery?

A soft, light support bra is usually most comfortable while you heal. Anita make front-fastening cotton bras for this stage, and some styles are marked as suitable during and after radiotherapy. Of the bras we keep, Lotta is the softest, a stretch bustier sized XS to XXL. Your breast care nurse can advise on timing, and we can help with the fit.

Where can I get fitted for a mastectomy bra in Dorset?

We fit post-surgery bras in our lingerie department at 30 High Street, Shaftesbury. The fitting is free, you do not need to book, and we will take as long as you need. We are open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm. If you would like to talk it through before you come in, ring us on 01747 852444.