The A, B, Cs of post-surgery bra fitting

Mary Forte stars in a supporting role for women who have had breast cancer surgery. She's a registered nurse and a certified mastectomy fitter.

"Everyone comes in so scared, not knowing what to expect," she says of bra clients at A Personal Touch Boutiques, shops she co-owns in East Northport, West Islip and Southampton (apersonaltouchboutiques.com). "They walk out feeling so good about themselves, feeling they got their femininity back."

Earlier this month, Forte offered bra and bathing suit fitting consultations at "The Uplifting Event," a gathering of breast reconstruction patients of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Great Neck. The evening featured a jaunty red-carpet fashion show of the newly fitted garments.

For the tentative, post-surgery bra shopper, Forte offers these A, B, Cs:

The ideal time to shop for a bra is six weeks after surgery, when swelling has abated.

Get a list of certified mastectomy fitters from your primary care physician, oncologist, breast surgeon or plastic surgeon. With a doctor's prescription, most insurance policies will pay for post-cancer-surgery bras, sometimes requiring a small co-payment. Medicare, for instance, will pay for six bras a year.

Look for a snug fit. "Ninety percent of women wear the wrong size bra, and in most cases, they're too big," Forte says. Remember that bras tend to stretch with washing and wearing.

Recognize that what's in your lingerie drawer is unlikely to still fit. Lumpectomy patients often need silicone "balance products," available in many shapes, that can be inserted into one cup. Breast reconstruction patients may find a better fit in bras designed to be flatter in the front.

Surgery can create new safety and comfort considerations. Some surgeons advise women with breast implants to avoid bras with underwires or other stiff support, for instance. Women whose range of arm motion has been reduced by surgery might prefer front-closure bras.

Never buy a bra without trying it on. Once fitted, buy one bra and "break it in a little," Forte advises. If you're happy with the size, then consider "a bra wardrobe" - an everyday bra, a sports bra, a camisole, a leisure bra and a date-night bra "when you want to feel a little sexy."