There are many different types of breast reconstruction and so advice on which bra to wear varies accordingly. Each consultant and/or hospital will have their own guidelines on post-operative bras. That being the case, you should ask your reconstruction nurse or surgeon which type of bra you'll need and when to start wearing it.

A number of high street and online stores stock post-surgery underwear and swimwear. These include M&S which offers a wide range of post-surgery underwear as well as pockets for prostheses which can be used in regular bras. M&S lingerie staff are trained to help those who have had or who are facing breast surgery and reconstruction.

John Lewis also sells some post-surgery bras, as does Bravissimo, while you can also try Nicola Jane at: www.nicolajane.com who are mastectomy and post-surgery bra specialists. Other online options include Trulife at: www.trulife.com which also produces prosthetics and other breastcare aids, and Lipoelastic at: www.lipoelastic.co.uk which produces post-operative compression garments. Amoena - at www.amoena.com - also produces breast forms, post-surgery bras and swimwear, as does Silima - www.silima.co.uk - which sells breast forms and prosthetic nipples as well.

Meanwhile, The Bra Ladies - www.thebraladies.co.uk - offer specialist bra fittings for everyone, especially before and after breast surgery, and they hold in-person clinics in Norwich.