My Pillows Lost Their Stuffing

A mastectomy, a new normal, and the wardrobe I never asked for

My pillows lost their stuffing, and somehow I’m holding up just fine. Plot twist: I had a mastectomy with reconstruction. Not the most glamorous detour, but a real one. And yes, it came with a whole new wardrobe I never asked for.

I’m not the first to go through this and I won’t be the last. I don’t want a mastectomy to feel like something we only talk about quietly or when we have to. So I’m going to start sharing more about it here, just as part of real life, including how it’s impacted me and, of course, my style.

Some of it will be practical. Some of it will be honest. Some of it might even be funny, because that’s how I get through most things.

Also, in case you’re wondering, yes, I went through an almost unreasonable number of compression bras, workout clothes, and everything labeled “mastectomy-friendly.” I tested more brands than I can count trying to figure out what actually worked. Spoiler: you don’t need nearly that much. Every body is different, but hopefully this helps.

So to start, I’m sharing what did and didn’t work, and what actually made a difference. I can’t do underwire anymore, so comfort and support are everything.

If you’re going through this or just starting to look into it, feel free to reach out. Happy to share anything I’ve learned.

Best Compression Bra:
Prairie - by far the highest quality and most comfortable I found. I wore it daily and had one in the color fawn and one in black.

Best workout bra post mastectomy (consult your doctor):
Beyond Yoga Racerback Cropped Tank - once my doctor cleared me to move from compression bras to workout bras, this is where I had the most success. They’re soft, have great elasticity, and really hold up over time. I had one Beyond Yoga bra for nearly 10 years before finally stretching it out post-mastectomy expanders.

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