WE WANT TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS

At Carefix, we understand that you may have questions about our products and services. That is why we have created this FAQ page to provide you with the information you need to make informed choices about your postsurgery recovery.

On this page, you'll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive about our postsurgery bras, sizing, shipping, returns, and more. We've done our best to provide detailed and accurate information, but if you can't find the answer to your question here, please don't hesitate to contact us.

PLEASE HELP US IN HELPING OUR USERS

We hope that this FAQ page will be helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team. We're here to help you find the perfect postsurgery bra for your needs and to ensure that you have a comfortable and successful recovery. Also, please let us know if you have additional questions you believe other people could benefit from knowing the answer to. We will then include your question here.

WHAT IS A CAREFIX POST-OP SUPPORT AND COMPRESSION BRA?

A Carefix post-op support or compression bra is a specially designed bra to be used right after breast surgery and throughout recovery. The bra provides support and compression, while protecting scar and wound area. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF POST-OP SUPPORT AND COMPRESSION BRAS?

Post-op  bras are recommended by many medical professionals as part of the post operative care after breast surgery. They are used with aim of reducing postsurgical bleeding and swelling, by compressing the breast and surrounding structures, while supporting tender and sore skin, contributing to the healing process and provide safety throughout the important postsurgical mobilization period.

Compressive bras are used with the aim of promoting circulation to decrease the swelling and reducing the inflammatory process to help reduce pain during postsurgical recovery. They should provide support and control to protect the scar areas at sudden uncomfortable movements — i.e. when sneezing or coughing — which is especially important during the immediate post-surgery stage.

Providing the optimal conditions while healing will provide the best circumstances for a good postsurgical outcome, a comfortable recovery and a best possible looking result of a breast reduction, breast augmentation or after mastectomy.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUPPORT AND COMPRESSION BRAS?

As many different breast surgical procedures have evolved, both surgeons and users have different requirements for post-op bras. When choosing a post-surgical bra for support, compression or comfort, it is important that the bra is appropriate for the particular surgery. That is why the Carefix assortment carries a wide range of bras to choose from. In this way, you can always be sure that there is an appropriate bra for the specific surgery, you will go through. Each Carefix post-op bra has been designed to specifically fit the different indications. 

WHY CAN’T I JUST USE A REGULAR BRA FROM MY LINGERIE STORE OR A TIGHT FITTING SPORTS BRA?

Medical compression and support bras are designed to provide targeted compression and support to the surgical site, which is not the case with a standard bra or a tight fitting sports bra of any kind. After surgery, you need a bra that is specially designed to compress the skin for surgical purposes and provides comfort for the length of your recovery.

When using a medical post-op bra, you can be certain that the product is specially designed to be used with the surgery you have had. The bra is designed to reduce some of the complications and risks that a surgery can cause, by e.g offering seamless design to avoid any wound irritation, elasticated 4-way stretch to make the bra adjust to your body contour through the entire recovery period, and targeted compression zones to provide you the right amount of compression and support to the surgical site at all times.

There are vast differences between a sports bra and a medical post-op bra. For example, a post-op bra from Carefix offers a higher compression and support level than a sports bra. A sports bra typically has the same level of compression/support in the entire bra, whereas a post-op bra from Carefix has compression/support targeted at the exact right places.

Our post-op bras are designed to last. Professionally constructed medical bras do not break or loose functionality after consistent everyday use. As long as product care handling instructions and instructions for use are followed, the medical post op bras are designed to be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for up to 6-8 weeks without losing functionality.

PLEASE NOTE: Always follow the advice of your doctor or surgeon when purchasing a compression bra after surgery.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES A POST-OP BRA FROM CAREFIX FROM OTHER BRAS FOUND ON THE MARKET?

Postsurgical healing stages can be extremely uncomfortable which makes it even more important to use a compression bra that provides wound protection and takes tender skin and postsurgical swelling into consideration, resulting in an optimum surgical result. Due to the seamless design, post-op bras from Carefix are comfortable and will not aggravate the healing of incisions.

The chest band of the bras has been made wide to provide more support under the breast and improve comfort. Zippers, velcro and hook-&-eye closures are never in contact with the skin. All our compression bras are Oeko-Tex certified and latex free.

WHAT IS THE FABRIC CONTENT OF A POST-OP BRA FROM CAREFIX?

As the compression bras offer different features according to the specific indication, the fabric content in the bras varies. However, it goes for the entire postop bra range from Carefix, that you can be sure to buy a certified medical product tested for harmful substances, carrying a seamless design for minimum wound and scar irritation and developed and designed to offer you optimum comfort. 

All our compression bras have a fabric content that offers a smooth, comfortable feeling, at the same time as protecting tender and sore skin. The fabric construction guarantees that the bras never lose support and compression integrity at continuous use and as long as washing procedures are followed. All postop bras from Carefix are latex free.

I AM NOT ALLOWED TO REACH MY ARMS BEHIND MY BACK OR PUT THEM OVER MY HEAD - CAN I USE YOUR BRAS?

Most of our compression bras have front opening and front adjustable shoulder straps. The post-op bra range from Carefix consists of bras with different features and you can always find one that accommodates your special needs. Post-op bras from Carefix are certified medical products, specially designed for the needs after breast reduction or breast augmentation, because we know that some movements are prohibited after breast surgery.

FOR HOW LONG SHOULD I WEAR A POST-OP BRA?

In general, it’s up to your surgeon to decide for how long you should wear a post-op bra. Each surgeon recommends a different amount of time to wear your compression bra. It also depends on the surgery and the extent of surgery performed. Typically, wearing period ranges from anything between 2-12 weeks. For breast cancer surgery you typically need to wear the bra for 6-8 weeks, and for cosmetic breast surgery like augmentation, reduction or lift, you typically will have to wear the bra for 2-6 weeks, however, some surgeons recommend using the bra for 12 weeks.

After breast reconstruction, you typically wear a post-op bra for 8-12 weeks. In general, you have to wear the compression bra both day and night during the first weeks, but after that, daytime use may be sufficient. However, some surgeons recommend using a post-op bra both day and night for 12 weeks. Conclusion is that you always have to ask your surgeon for advice on wearing period.

HOW DO I LAUNDER MY COMPRESSION BRA?

All the post-op bras from the Carefix bra portfolio are machine washable and can be tumble dried at low temperature. Care instructions are located on the inserted “Instruction for use”, that comes with your compression bra. We recommend that you always follow the care instructions for a longer lasting product. To ensure the product’s durability and function, do not use bleach or products containing bleach.

HOW SHOULD I PROTECT THE SURGICAL SITE, WHILE MY BRA IS BEING WASHED?

We recommend that you purchase duplicates of your post-op bra to make sure you always have a back up. One of the keys to a successful surgical result is consistent compression/support. For an optimum healing process and recovery period, the surgical site should always be protected and secure.

WHAT SURGERIES ARE POSTSURGERY BRAS SUITABLE FOR?

Our recommendations for bra use are as follows:

• Right after surgery: fully openable post-op bra for accommodating the restriction of arm movement or protection of surgical site
• Breast cosmetic: post-op bra for optimal contouring of the operated breast
• Lumpectomy: post-op bra for extra support of the operated breast
• Mastectomy: post-op bras w/pockets for breast forms
• Radiation: post-op bras without metal parts
• Comfort: comfort bras when there is no restrictions on arm movement

Post-op bras are recommended for time spans between 0-3 months following surgery. If complications or reconstruction surgery after breast cancer occur, the need for post-op bras may be prolonged.