How Nicole de Havilland Transformed Post-Surgery Care with Reco Bra®
Meet Nicole, founder of Reco Bra® and managing director of Reco Heart Ltd. With over 25 years of experience as a clinician and Lymphoedema Practitioner in the NHS and private sector, Nicole has always had a passion for helping people. But it was her close work with breast cancer patients that sparked an idea and eventually, a whole new career path.
“I saw there was a need in the post-surgery bra market for a seamless bra product. As a therapist working with breast cancer patients that had just had surgery; I witnessed firsthand the issues that seamed-styled post-surgery bras were causing for patients”. Nicole found that the UK needed a branded ‘named’ bra so that patients could find an ‘immediate recovery bra’ easily prior to going into hospital for their surgery.
It all started with a simple sketch. Nicole’s firsthand experience with patients gave her a unique insight into what a recovery bra should offer. She knew exactly where wound sites would be for various surgeries and understood the challenges patients faced, including swelling and the need for targeted support. “The first step was finding the right manufacturer,” Nicole explains. “It was essential to partner with a company that could create a seamless design while understanding the specific needs of medical textiles.”
This attention to detail ensured the Reco Bra® met the unique needs of patients recovering from surgeries like mastectomies, breast reconstructions and even heart bypasses.
It took 4 years to find a suitable manufacturer, keeping her going was “passion, determination and the unconditional love I had for my ladies,” she says. Even while navigating the challenges of product development, Nicole was running busy clinics full-time, which kept her deeply connected to the people she was working to help.
The emotional side of her work was always a challenge, though. "It’s heartbreaking to see what some patients go through, both physically and emotionally," she shares. Losing patients she’d formed bonds with was especially hard. "Some ladies really touched my soul”.
Our Q&A with Nicole:
Could you share how your experience at the NHS and institutions like The Princess Grace Hospital shaped your approach to patient care?
“The NHS gave me the initial experience and knowledge as I used to see so many patients in a day and worked under contract three days a week, in that time I got sent such a variety of different cases. The Princess Grace was different at times with regards to patient care as we are permitted to recommend more things to help the patients, which may involve them paying for things themselves that would help their conditions. My treatments were enhanced in the private hospitals and Harley Street Medical Chambers as the Deep Oscillation ™device was permitted as part of my treatment protocol, which was extremely helpful to patients”.
How can the post-operative care market be improved to better support patients recovering from surgery?
“All hospitals, Clinics and in particular the NHS should receive a post-operative bra as part of their treatment. I feel very passionate about the NHS giving a free bra to patients in theatre/on the ward as standard practice. Alternatively, a bra being on prescription from their GP prior to going into hospital. Some years back I even wrote a letter to Jeremy Hunt, the Health Minister (at the time), suggesting that this idea needed to be funded! I received a very nice letter declining to help. My idea did at least get put forward by my caring local lady MP who discussed the idea in the
Houses of Parliament, following our conversations. One house of parliament female member ordered our product for her breast cancer surgery which we had couriered over to the houses”.
What drew you to sponsor the Future Dreams charity, and how does it align with your values and Reco Heart Ltd?
“The relationship formed some years back when we discussed bras and surgery to try and find a way to provide bras after surgery. FD aligns perfectly with both of our goals which is to help breast cancer patients from diagnosis and beyond. They really are the best charity, I have a lot of time and respect for the team members and Sam who runs it, there is a special almost unspoken bond. I love supporting them, as well as sponsoring their biannual lunch at the Savoy, we have just donated a box full of bras to the Future Dreams House for anyone that needs them via their lovely Lingerie Ambassador Monica Harrington”.
Nicole’s advice to other is – “If you see a problem that needs fixing, don’t wait for someone else to solve it”. Nicole’s journey proves that with a bit of creativity, a lot of determination and a whole lot of heart, you really can make a difference.
Find out more about Reco Heart here: https://recoheart.com/
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