Lands' End Women's Mastectomy Flutter Scoop Neck Tankini Top

Before I ordered this top I read some reviews and one in particular said how disappointed she was in what Lands' End had done in changing their mastectomy bra. I didn't understand exactly what she meant, but ordered it anyway because the overall features were exactly what I wanted. Now I know exactly what she was trying to convey because I'm able to compare this mastectomy bra to one I have in a Lands' End tank suit that's 4-5 yrs old. Before my surgery, my go-to swimsuit was Lands' Ends' tank suit with a "shelf bra" (just a bandeau of elastic material - no "soft cups", when little breast support is required). Now to compare the old with the new: In the white photo, you can see stitching across the top, down the center, and another "cup" stitched within each side providing a secure nesting for the prosthetic. In the new incarnation (blue photo) it looks as tho L/E has taken their shelf bra and given it one stitching line down the center dividing it in two - that's IT. The result is just a LARGE pocket with zero to keep the prosthetic exactly where you want it. If you're using a large prosthetic, (not as likely with a size 8 suit) this may not be an issue, but for me, I'm very concerned about actually swimming with this top unless I tack or tape the prosthetics in place (not practical when you have several suits) because I'm certain my prosthetics will NOT stay exactly where I placed them initially. So, I'm with the reviewer I read earlier - very disappointed in Lands' End - that they took what appears to be a cost-cutting short-cut on their mastectomy bra diminishing its viability seriously. This is SO too bad too as the swim top is otherwise a really nice, well-made, great-fitting suit. I hope L/E is paying attention here and make positive changes for the future. (full disclosure here, I bought this top and a blouson top at the same time. I used the blouson for the "blue" photo as the lighter color showed the stitching (or lack thereof) better than the black of this top - but the bras are identical in construction).

When there are only a couple of places to purchase mastectomy bathing suits, it is very disappointing to buy what I always felt to be a well made suit, to purchase these new ones that do not sew the appropriate stitching to hold the breast forms in place. So sad when it is hard to find these suits anyway. I certainly don't want to buy one that LE must that makes me feel even more uncomfortable than I already am. At least, put the stitching in and around all sides to hold the forms in place!