After Exchange Surgery Do You Have to Wear a Bra?

Dgmlmax: IF I can paraphrase your question, "Is it necessary to wear bras after breast reconstruction?" Some physicians are draconian about cosmetic patients using underwire bras. Others are more laissez-faire-ist.  In my breast cancer reconstruction patients, most elect to wear conventional bras, instead of any specialty items, because it restores a sense of "normality" to their lives.  Many patients who were reconstructed prior to the era of skin sparing/nipple sparing mastectomies with Alloderm support have experienced implant displacement, as the size and weight of the implants needed to provide symmetry stretched the mastectomy flaps.  They are being revised with placement of Alloderm capsulorrhaphy/slings. 

Nipple reconstruction should not affect your need to wear a bra to conceal them.  Most nipples which are reconstructed with random flaps do not tend to be overly projecting.  Hope this helps.  good luck. 

I recommend a bra for a week or two after surgery just for comfort and protection.  If there is any reconstruction done that involves the inframammary fold, such as surgery to raise or recreate the crease under the breast or surgery to raise an implant then a bra is mandatory for at least four weeks, preferrably one that has underwire support.  In the absence of fold surgery the bra is worn only for patient comfort.