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For women who exhibit excessive laxity of the skin and breat envelope preoperatively and for whom I believe may be at a higher rate for breast ptosis (sagging), I have recommended that they wear a sleep bra that provides gentle support and prevents the breasts from sliding outwards at night.During the day I frequently recommend an IPEX style or Biofit bra without underwire. Jogbras are also excellent. Probably the most important factor is comfort so that the patient complies with bra use. I do believe it provides some protection against recurrent sagging but this is only my opinion and not scientifically validated.
I prefer that the patients wear no bra for 1 month after surgery to allow the wounds to heal. Any pressure on the healing wounds can be a problem.
It’s not unusual for patients to undergo breastaugmentation and breast lift surgery in combination. When these procedures areperformed together we typically have patients wear a compressive surgical supportbra for three weeks following surgery. After three weeks, patients are switchedto an athletic sports bra that’s worn for an additional three weeks. In theearly post-operative period, bras are worn day and night. After six weeks,patients are switched to an underwire bra which is only worn during the day.After six weeks, we generally don’t recommend the use ofa bra at night following this type of surgery. Occasionally we see patients whoare more comfortable when they wear a sports bra while sleeping. When thissituation arises we have no problem with the use of a sleep bra. It’s importantto understand that each patient’s situation is unique. It’s therefore importantto discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon.
I recommend that my patients wear their post-surgical bra every day and night for the first 8 weeks after their surgery. This provides support for the breasts and minimizes the risk of "bottoming out". A soft cup, wireless sports bra is good, or the compression bra recommended by your surgeon. Either should have hooks in the front, so that you don't have to struggle when putting it on.
Every surgeon will have a different postop plan and will tell you different things. I can only tell you what I recommend.I generally have my patients wear a surgical bra/sports bra for about 4-8 weeks. I also have them wear sports bra to bed for the first 4 weeks. After that there is no need to wear sports bra to bed.However, I always recommend the use of a sleep bra (it has a bit less support and more comfortable) to help prolong the youthful results as much as possible.
Wearing a sleep bra may offer you more comfort at night, especially during the first 6 weeks afterward. Then, I would avoid any undwire bras for at least one year as this may place pressure on part of your incisions and irritate them.
There are a couple of schools of thought on this, but no real scientific basis on which to make a recommendation. I do suggest that patients wear a sleep bra after breast surgery, because the extra support can't hurt and might help over the long run. Whatever bra type is comfortable is OK, but some types of sports bras tend to flatten too much which isn't ideal.
A sports bra or surgical bra would probably be sufficient to wear at night. If you want extra support, however, you can get a sleep bra if you prefer.
I typically recommend my patients wear a surgical support bra for 6 weeks, day and night following surgery. This provides good support to the implant during the healing process and reduces some of the weight of the implant from the skin. As for brands, that should be left to the preference of your surgeon.
Congratulations on having undergone the breast augmentation procedure. The question regarding the use of bras is surprisingly common on this website; there is no “standard” when it comes to the use of specific bras or garments after breast surgery. In other words, different plastic surgeons may have different practices when it comes to postoperative dressings/bras. Therefore, best to check with your plastic surgeon. For example, in my practice, patients wake up with a surgical bra in place. This surgical bra, although not attractive, is supportive and used for about one month after surgery (some of my patients have been known to burn the bra ASAP). Then, patients transition to a soft sports bra. Wired bras are used when breast implants have reached their “final position” and patients have full sensation along the breast skin. Best wishes; hopefully, you will be very pleased with the longer-term outcome of the procedure performed.