Fitting a brassiere is just as important as fitting a prosthesis, if not more so. Bras come in a variety of styles and materials. Because tastes differ, you should have several types of brassieres available when fitting a prosthesis and bra.

Customer preference, physique, amount of remaining natural tissue and the type of surgery will help determine the correct brassiere style for your customer. Offer her choices that match her already established tastes. If the bra does not fit well, judge whether the style or size - or both - need correction.

We recommend measuring your customer before you begin fitting her bra and prosthesis. Often times the woman has lost or gained weight since her surgery or a previous fitting. Her natural breast in turn will change with the loss or gain of weight. We believe this gives you the best starting point in the fitting process.

If she has any open skin areas that are draining, DO NOT FIT HER AT THIS TIME. Explain that she should be completely healed and free of any skin breakdown before you can fit her.

Measuring for the correct band size...

• With a bra on, take a snug measurement from the center of the breast bone around the body under the natural breast.
• If the measurement is uneven (29”, 31”, 33” etc) then add 5” to this measurement. Example: 31” around the body + 5” = 36”. She would probably wear a 36 band bra. If the body measurement is 39” or more add 3” instead of 5”. Example: 39” + 3”=42”, or a 42 band bra.
• If the body measurement is even (30”, 32”, 34” etc) add 4”. Example: 32” + 4” = 36”. Do this on all even measurements.
• Any measurement that falls between an inch should always go up to the next inch.

This is the bra band or girth size. You may need to go up or down a size because this measurement is only a guideline.

• Measure from the center of the chest around the fullest area of the natural breast to the center of the back.
• Take that measurement times 2. Example: 19” x 2 = 38”
• If this measurement is:
  the same or up to 1” larger than the bra size......A cup
  1” - 2” larger than the bra size..........................B cup
  2” - 3” larger than the bra size..........................C cup
  3” - 4” larger than the bra size..........................D cup
  4” - 5” larger than the bra size..........................DD cup

This is the correct cup size (again, this may vary if you have to go up or down a size on the band size. Example : a 36C cup fits like a 38B cup.)

The correct bra and cup size for the bilateral (double mastectomee)...

• Measure around the rib cage as described above. That is her bra size.
• She can be any cup size. Ask her what cup size she was before surgery. She may wish to stay the same size.You are only allowed to explain the benefits and complications of too small or too large breast prosthesis.
• Consider height, weight and figure type. If the customer is 5’10” tall will full hips, generally do not fit her in an A cup bra. Use your best judgement.

When choosing a breast form for your customer it is important  to replace the weight lost after surgery so she is able to maintain proper  balance and posture. Selecting the proper shape and size breast form begins with  determining the type of surgery your customer has had and the best style of bra that fits her remaining breast. As you choose a breast form, take into consideration the type of natural breast tissue that is  remaining, the skin, and tissue firmness.

Choose the styles and sizes from the charts below: All suggested chart sizes are only a guideline to help begin a fitting.  A different style or size may be needed to insure a proper fit

NEARLY ME® Fitting Guide for numerical sized forms

NEARLY ME® Fitting Guide for bra-sized forms

Home

Products

Fitting Guides

Education

Consumer Q&A

Contact Us

Promotional Items

Company Policies

Links