The Best Postmastectomy Swimsuits for Feeling Cute and Secure in the Water

Whatever swimwear you choose postmastectomy, the most important factor is feeling comfortable and confident in it.

Before my double mastectomy, I never put much thought into swimsuit shopping. I always felt like my out-of-shape physique never measured up.

When I got breast cancer, suddenly, belly fat and bumps mattered less. I was proud of my imperfect body.

I spoke with others who experienced cancer about their favorite bathing suit styles after either a double or single mastectomy. I’ve included our insights below.

There are so many options out there, but honestly, anything that you feel good in is truly the perfect fit!

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Comfort and range of motion are key

The bathing suit style I wear most is similar to this one from Amazon, a lined, patterned one-piece with a little padding and no underwire.

If you really look, you may notice the marks from my lymph node dissection under my right arm and that one of my breasts is larger than the other. But the suit is comfortable, and more importantly, I’m comfortable in it.

Dr. Anne Peled, who experienced breast cancer herself, is also a breast cancer surgeon, co-director of the Breast Care Center of Excellence at Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center, and on the board with The Breasties. She suggests a postsurgery swimsuit that is versatile and hassle-free.

“The top things I recommend for getting a swimsuit postmastectomy are finding something that will ideally stay in place well when moving around, has the option to put padding or prostheses in, and has UPF protection,” Peled said.

She’s a big fan of the Lands’ End Tugless One-Piece swimsuits, which have UPF protection and more coverage around the neck and arms — great for anyone concerned about concealing scars. 

Peled also says many of her patients like the Amoena wire-free bikini tops, which are great choices for anyone healing from surgery but still wanting a fun option. 

Looking for full coverage? When Peled herself was healing after radiation treatment, she wore Athleta sleeveless UPF tanks and rash guards. She loved how the guards provided more sun protection, especially for areas affected by radiation and surgery.

They “still made me feel confident in how I looked on the beach,” she said.

The best swimsuit for you

After her bout with breast cancer, advocate Jessica Baladad founded Feel For Your Life, a free mobile app that provides resources on self-exams, when to get screenings, and more. Her outlook since her double mastectomy has been, “The best swimwear is whatever you feel comfortable wearing!”

For Baladad, less is more. Due to the pandemic, she had to wait 2 years for reconstruction and was proud of her flat chest.

“Most of the time, I didn’t wear a top, and it was absolutely liberating,” she said.

After radiation, her skin was much more delicate and tender. To protect those areas, she wore a light cotton T-shirt. But it was never about hiding her scars.

“My scars were proof I fought for my life,” she said, “and I wasn’t ashamed to show them off.”

Since her deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction surgery, she’s worn traditional bikini designs that show her scars, including those from her drains.

“I’m very comfortable in my body, and I’m proud of what I’ve endured because it didn’t break me,” Baladad said.

Upgrading your favorite suits

Advocate and style expert Anna Crollman says that while there are many great swimsuits on the market for postmastectomy, she prefers to purchase swimsuits she likes and take them to a tailor or seamstress to get them modified.

Crollman says swimsuits designed for postmastectomy wear can be pricey. Instead of buying suits with prosthetics, she suggests taking any cute suit you have your eye on and having someone sew in pockets for the inserts.

This is big for me because one of my reconstructed breasts is bigger than the other. When I am in the mood for a more symmetrical look, I just put an extra pad into the top of my preferred suit.

Crollman recommends keeping a few things in mind when shopping for swimsuits after a single or double mastectomy.

“High neck swimsuits are great during the expander phase or in between reconstruction surgeries,” she said.

Accents such as patterns or ruffles can help conceal asymmetry, bumps, or scars.

Candice C. had a single mastectomy and agrees that there’s no need to spend money on a fancy postsurgery swimsuit.

“I just have a regular bathing suit and just make sure there’s no underwire because it hurts my mastectomy side,” she said.

Don’t forget to have fun

There’s no reason why bathing suit shopping postmastectomy shouldn’t be fun.

Like Crollman, I advise anyone who is uncomfortable trying on bathing suits in the store to consider purchasing online.

I’ll order a dozen or so from a retailer with flexible return or exchange policies. That way, I can see how they fit in the comfort of my own bedroom with my latest curated Spotify playlist blasting.

Takeaway

There are so many choices, and the fact is — anything can be worn as a bathing suit.

Just take your time and choose what makes you feel your best. And remember, your imperfect body is strong and so freakin’ beautiful.