Surgical Modesty Garment and Support Bra

Abstract

A modular brassiere that serves as both a modesty garment and an easily-donned support garment. The modular bra includes an elongated support band that is preferably made of elastic material. Hook-and-loop type of engaging panels are used to secure the band around the user's chest. A separate strap assembly may be added to transfer load to one or more of the user's shoulders. The support band includes a proximal end and a distal end. A pocket is preferably included, proximate the distal end. The user can place one or more fingers into this pocket to assist in donning the device. A grip panel is preferably included as well. The grip panel includes a strap loop which the user can employ to also assist in donning the device.

1 . A method for applying a support garment suitable for use in a surgical procedure and post surgery, said garment configured for use on a patient user having a chest, a first breast, a second breast, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a first hand, and a second hand, comprising:
 (a) providing a support band made of elastic material, including,
 (i) a proximal end, 
 (ii) a distal end, 
 (iii) an outward facing surface including a hook-compatible covering, 
 (iv) an inward facing surface, 
 (v) a pocket proximate said distal end on said outward facing surface, said pocket configured to receive at least a portion of said first hand of said patient user, 
 (vi) a first cup formed in said support band, said first cup configured to receive said first breast, 
 (vii) a second cup formed in said support band, said second cup configured to receive said second breast, 
 (viii) a first hook panel located on said inward facing surface of said support band proximate said distal end, 
 (ix) a grip panel configured to be gripped by said second hand of said patient user, said grip panel being connected to said proximal end of said support band; 
   (b) wrapping said support band around said chest of said patient; and   (c) engaging said first hook panel on said inward facing surface of said support band to said loop covering on said outward facing surface of said support band, thereby securing said support band to itself.   
     
     
         2 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) cutting said proximal end of said support band, thereby forming a new position for said proximal end of said support band;   (b) providing said grip panel with a second hook panel; and   (c) placing said grip panel in said new position for said proximal end of said grip panel by engaging said hook panel on said grip panel to said loop covering on said outward facing surface of said support band.   
     
     
         3 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) providing a first relief notch in said support band proximate said first cup, said first relief notch including a first pair of lateral edges;   (b) providing a second relief notch in said support band proximate said first cup, said second relief notch including a second pair of lateral edges;   (c) providing a third relief notch in said support band proximate said second cup, said third relief notch including a third pair of lateral edges;   (d) providing a fourth relief notch in said support band proximate said second cup, said fourth relief notch including a fourth pair of lateral edges;   (e) wherein said first pair of lateral edges are joined together;   (f) wherein said second pair of lateral edges are joined together;   (g) wherein said third pair of lateral edges are joined together; and   (h) wherein said fourth pair of lateral edges are joined together.   
     
     
         4 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said joining of said pairs of lateral edges is accomplished by stitching. 
     
     
         5 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 (a) providing a center relief in said support band in the form of a slit located between said first and second cups, said center relief including a fifth pair of lateral edges; and   (b) wherein said fifth pair of lateral edges are joined together.   
     
     
         6 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) providing a strap assembly, including,
 (i) a first strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (ii) a second strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (iii) a first hook panel, and 
 (iv) a second hook panel; 
   (b) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said first hook panel, said first strap, and said support band; and   (c) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said second hook panel, said second strap, and said support band.   
     
     
         7 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  6 , further comprising:
 (a) providing on said strap assembly,
 (i) a third strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (ii) a fourth strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (iii) a third hook panel, and 
 (iv) a fourth hook panel; 
   (b) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said third hook panel, said third strap, and said support band; and   (c) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said fourth hook panel, said fourth strap, and said support band.   
     
     
         8 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said first and second straps are configured to be cut to a desired length in order to fit said patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said first hook panel and said second hook panel are detachable so that they can be placed on a newly cut proximal end. 
     
     
         10 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 1  wherein said support band is made of elastic material configured to stretch in two perpendicular directions. 
     
     
         11 . A method for applying a support garment suitable for use in a surgical procedure and post surgery, said garment configured for use on a patient user having a chest, a first breast, a second breast, a first shoulder, a second shoulder, a first hand, and a second hand, comprising:
 (a) providing a support band made of elastic material, including,
 (i) a proximal end, 
 (ii) a distal end, 
 (iii) an outward facing surface including a hook-compatible covering, 
 (iv) an inward facing surface, 
 (v) a first cup formed in said support band, said first cup configured to receive said first breast, 
 (vi) a second cup formed in said support band, said second cup configured to receive said second breast, 
 (vii) a first hook panel located on said inward facing surface of said support band proximate said distal end, 
 (viii) a grip panel configured to be gripped by said second hand of said patient user, said grip panel being connected to said proximal end of said support band; 
   (b) wrapping said support band around said chest of said patient; and   (c) engaging said first hook panel on said inward facing surface of said support band to said loop covering on said outward facing surface of said support band, thereby securing said support band to itself.   
     
     
         12 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 11 , wherein:
 (a) cutting said proximal end of said support band, thereby forming a new position for said proximal end of said support band;   (b) providing said grip panel with a second hook panel; and   (c) placing said grip panel in said new position for said proximal end of said grip panel by engaging said hook panel on said grip panel to said loop covering on said outward facing surface of said support band.   
     
     
         13 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (a) providing a first relief notch in said support band proximate said first cup, said first relief notch including a first pair of lateral edges;   (b) providing a second relief notch in said support band proximate said first cup, said second relief notch including a second pair of lateral edges;   (c) providing a third relief notch in said support band proximate said second cup, said third relief notch including a third pair of lateral edges;   (d) providing a fourth relief notch in said support band proximate said second cup, said fourth relief notch including a fourth pair of lateral edges;   (e) wherein said first pair of lateral edges are joined together;   (f) wherein said second pair of lateral edges are joined together;   (g) wherein said third pair of lateral edges are joined together; and   (h) wherein said fourth pair of lateral edges are joined together.   
     
     
         14 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said joining of said pairs of lateral edges is accomplished by stitching. 
     
     
         15 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 (a) providing a center relief in said support band in the form of a slit located between said first and second cups, said center relief including a fifth pair of lateral edges; and   (b) wherein said fifth pair of lateral edges are joined together.   
     
     
         16 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (a) providing a strap assembly, including,
 (i) a first strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (ii) a second strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (iii) a first hook panel, and 
 (iv) a second hook panel; 
   (b) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said first hook panel, said first strap, and said support band; and   (c) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said second hook panel, said second strap, and said support band.   
     
     
         17 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  16 , further comprising:
 (a) providing on said strap assembly,
 (i) a third strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (ii) a fourth strap having an outward facing surface with a loop covering, 
 (iii) a third hook panel, and 
 (iv) a fourth hook panel; 
   (b) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said third hook panel, said third strap, and said support band; and   (c) attaching said strap assembly to said outward facing surface on said support band by an engagement between said fourth hook panel, said fourth strap, and said support band.   
     
     
         18 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said first and second straps are configured to be cut to a desired length in order to fit said patient. 
     
     
         19 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said first hook panel and said second hook panel are detachable so that they can be placed on a newly cut proximal end. 
     
     
         20 . The method for applying a support garment as recited in  claim 11  wherein said support band is made of elastic material configured to stretch in two perpendicular directions.