Shortly after my mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery my doctor informed me that on release from the hospital I would need to wear a sports bra for a period of time 24/7. He was clear that the bra was to have no wires or heavy cutting elastic. I needed the support but due to the need for the new muscle and tissue to take hold, it should not be constricted by wire or elastic.
One can easily find very colorful and exotic sports bras (with matching shorts) (kind of like the 1970’s era aerobic outfits) for young girls. But a basic sports bra for women over 35 years old is another story. Since I was in the hospital, a friend of mine who knows my tastes and preferences offered to get several for me. Never did we think the search would literally take days (with the clock ticking to my proposed discharge date). Eventually she found some bras from Marks & Spencer which are sports bra style in that they fit over the head but still have to be hooked in the back after first pulling over the head. They worked in allowing me to be discharged. These sports bras had no metal wires, no tight bands of elastic but were not a perfect fit. As a result I called my son in the States.
There are so many stores in the States where one can enter and find a wide selection of choices, styles and colors of sports bras. My daughter-in-law was easily able to identify several styles in my size which rather than have to pull over the head, I put on like a shirt and they hooked in the front, similar to a cropped t-shirt with padding but no wires or elastic. They were ideal and oh so comfortable and best yet, I was able to take them on and off without assistance. After a mastectomy and particularly when lymph nodes are removed, it can result in very limited movement of one arm for awhile. Therefore when using the sports bra that pulls over the head, I required assistance in getting it on and off.
Given how the Kingdom has usually been so good in catering to womens needs when it comes to clothing and accessories, I was quite surprised to find that a sports bra falls under the “impossible to locate” item. I wonder if it also because sports bras are most traditionally associated with working out such as high impact aerobics and jogging which is not as popular here? And I will point out that in addition to sporting goods stores, womens lingerie and underwear stores, medical supply stores, we also asked around at the few women’s gyms for sports bras. At least in adult sizes, sports bras are not an in-demand item yet in the Kingdom.
Filed under: Health, Saudi Arabia, Sports, gender
On, but off, but on, but off subject….This makes me wonder, as far as shipping, what is the fastest way to order and receive something like this safely? Is DHL better than regular post..being door to door? I almost feel violated when I just think about my luggage being rifled and/or boxes being opened with the potential of my personal property simply being kept or tossed at a whim. Luggage aside what’s the cleanest way to order clothing or other items that have to be shipped, I wonder? As far as luggage goes, if the ‘powers that be’ decide they don’t like something I’ve packed, do I have the option to go to an in-airport postal center and ship MY property back home?
Oh! And try http://www.enell.com. Front closure, and absolutely NO bounce even if you run.
The important thing is that you’re recovering from the surgery alhamdulilah
You could probably make a new line of business for americanbedu.com; selling sports bras lol
Andrea,
DHL, FEDEX, UPS, TNT are among the courier services available here in KSA. They are relatively fast and reliable but expensive. Delays can occur when items are stuck in customs for “normal inspection” and of course the inspection for “religious content.” Another good venue for shipping which I use and find equally reliable, timely and more cost-effective is the services through Al Thayer Travel (located on Takhusseessee in Riyadh). Many travel agencies will also provide shipping services for sending items OUT of the Kingdom.
I’m not aware of an airport postal center where one would have an option of sending items rejected as unsuitable for entry to the Kingdom.
I hope this post will also let me gauge the need, demand and interest in sports bras in KSA. Thus far based on availability there really does not seem to be a market for them.
And yes, al humdillah, I am recovering well! (-:
Thank you Carol for including my Blog on your blogroll… but I think it would be more correct to put the following link http://www.minjid.com/profiles/blog/list?user=22o1zl3o21azr (my blog) as http://www.minjid.com is to the Social-Network I’ve created for people living in the Kingdom… Simply due to the context (BlogRoll) it would be better to put my blog link I think
thanks again
Ali
Hey there…
I just wanted to let u know that I saw sports bras in various sizes at the NIKE store on Olaya Street. Next to the Aldo, Massimo Dutti etc. Of the size there does not work, I would be glad to order it for u if you are still in need of them… I have an Aramex shop and ship account, and I can get things here to me in about a week… pls lemme know!
Om Lujain
On another note… I remember after my grandma had her surgery, her doctor at aramco gave her some customised bras that were specially meant for her post surgery.
Ali — correction has been made – thanks!
Om Lujain – I did visit the NIKE store as well but had no luck. Again the catering is more for pre-teen and teens. But thanks to my son and daughter-in-law, I’m all set. Thank you for your offer of assistance! That is also so nice that your grandmother’s doctor provided some bras. I wonder if that also highlights that they are indeed a difficult item to find Kingdom wide?
I find it very difficult to find a good sportsbra even in the Netherlands. Haven’t got one which is really good enough, I wear two on top of each other when riding.
I suppose because women are not supposed to sport there is little demand.
Perhaps a niche for a new business? Women’s gym combined with sportsclothing shop!
(including bras)
Andrea: that link looks excellent! If only I can figure out my size in American I am defenitely going to try one!
Ali: in The Netherlands the eclips was almost total, only a small rim at the top was showing, was it the same in KSA? In the photo’s it seems not so.
Bedu, I am glad your recovery is going well.
I had a friend who passed due to breast cancer, so I often avoid the subject (just as I giggle incontrollably during funerals). I am happy to hear you’re recovering!
Aafke, I think just convert to inches..or was it centimeters?http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm The bra is fantastic, and feels like 15lbs instantly off the midback..
As far as exercise in the Kingdom, I was sad to hear during my interview that the grass isn’t always greener. I visualized everyone there healthy and anti-inflammatory, eating lamb and brown rice and fish and perfect in all ways. How sad to be told there’s as much obesity and diabetes as I deal with here in the states. Sounds like a mission to accomplish is exercise classes mandatory for my female Chiropractic patients!
aafke,
the lunar eclipse reached at peak approximately 70-80% i believe… but my video/pictures weren’t taken at that time… thanks for stopping by my blog though
Ali, I liked your blog, and the recitation was very beautiful to hear, and very interesting to watch as well. You were late!
Well, I can’t believe you found one even in the US. If you have big boobs, a good sports bra is very hard to find even in the USA.
I have a chest. I want to exercise without putting out an eye. Is that too much to ask?
I’m glad that you seem to be recovering and you found what you needed.
It seems where I live only b cups are smaller should expercise according the bra makers in Kentucky.
I hope you are bouncing back.
Tirz
Aafke,
I’m also learning sizes as I am accustomed to the US sizes. For example a US Size 6 is the same as a UK size 8. But I have been told that in regards to bras, US and UK sizes are the same. In measuring for a bra, measure around the breasts in inches for that is how US bras are sized. Sorry, but I’m not sure how to explain though how to determine cup size (fullness of breast). Maybe an internet site can explain or have diagrams how to measure appropriately for a bra.
You’re right; there is a market opportunity for ladies fitness programs and sports clothes but one will have to do a lot of proactive PR to get individuals interested and willing to exercise…after all, don’t forget…young girls and women do not even receive PE in schools (unless a private international school).
I’ve enjoyed everyones comments!
This becomes especially problematic for women with large breasts. Sports Bras
tell me, Tirzahlaughs, every time I go into a lingerie shop they manage to make me feel like an utter freak! They draw the line here at C or D.
And I have not yet found a sports bra actually good enough to do sports.
And english sizes are different from european, and french is different again!
Funny anecdote: a few years ago a young Dutch army luitenant had to order clothes for the army and thought if he just order a lot of c-cups it would probably sort of fit all the female personnel.
Men!
The female soldiers were not amused.
LOL — I can easily imagine the reactions of the female personnel!
Further contemplating the comments received and it seems to me that functional sports bras for adult athletic women are not easy to find anywhere!
While, I cannot offer you my expertise on this subject because I live in the U.S. I just wanted to say that I am very, very happy that you are recovering!
Thank you Mai!
you could try http://www.figleaves.com they have a mestectomy section
That’s an excellent site, Anon. Thank you!
Aafke,
Try ShockAbsorber brand in the UK, and possibly other European countries. They have bras in larger sizes and have put a lot of research into making their sports bras. I will try to post more about sports bras soon (or on a more recent posting on sports bras here if there is one). There are other brands I would recommend for someone living in the US and/or Canada (due to availability in stores, etc). Of course, there’s always buying through the internet, but with something such as a bra where fit is very important, I’d recommend seeing what you can find in stores first.
I also want to chime in and advise that if in the event anyone has had a mastectomy it is imperative to be fitted by a professional mastectomy fitter.