Breast Implants: Q&A

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Sports Bra and Tighter Bra After Breast Implants?

I'm post-op breast augmentation from a 34AA to full C (400cc). I want to know how long do you wear a sports bra and would a tighter one be best apposed to a comfortable bra?

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by antands1 in Corpus Christi

Doctor Answers (13)
Community Comments (2)

Bra after implants is individual

The decision to wear a bra immediately after breast augmentation is an individual one and you should discuss this with your surgeon. In my practice, I encourage my patients to wear a sports bra to give support to the added weight from the implants to give gentle compression to help reduce any swelling. Good luck.

To Bra or not to Bra, there is no right answer

There is no right answer that has been investigated in a scientific manner. Most surgeons have their own routine, though none can prove they are right. Personally, I ask my patients to switch to a tight, elastic sports bra with a wide lateral strap on the day after surgery and to wear it for several days or longer. My theory is that the pressure reduces some of the swelling. After several days, this should no longer be effective. I then tell them that they can switch to any comfortable... more

Ask your surgeon regarding post-op care

There is no standard to post-op care is concerned. Some situations need more support and some require less. Ask your surgeon. Most of the time, if the surgery went according to plan, I will have my patients do what is comfortable and often suggest going without a bra to allow the soft tissues to accommodate more naturally around the implant and allow gravity to help the implants shape the breasts while instructing use of a sports bra when exercising or doing sports.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Follow advice of surgeon about bras post op from breast augmentation.

You should follow advice from your PS regarding which kind of bra is good for you in your unique situation. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Every surgeon has his own protocols

As our answers to your question demonstrate, there is no one right protocol for bra use after breast augmentation, and you should listen to your surgeon's plan and follow it carefully. Personally, I use a bra that has an adjustable band that sits across the top of the implants, so as to help keep the implants from riding up. I place may patients in this right after surgery and they wear it night and day for a few weeks. I have found it very helpful in keeping the implants where I want... more

Ask your surgeon

There are so many variables that must be considered in order to answer your question, that you would be best served by asking your particular surgeon the question you posed. In some cases, I have a patient wear a bra, and in some I specifically may advise against it. Sometimes, I may not have the patient wear a bra and may even put an elastic strap across the top of the chest to "seat" the implants. see video

Bra or not?

Corpus Christi, This is a question that only your surgeon should answer. Every surgeon has his/her own protocol for bra use after breast augmentation surgery. You should follow the instructions that your personal surgeon provides. If he/she has not told you what to wear, call their office and ask. Good luck!

Not enough info?

I usually place the implants under the muscle. It usually takes ~3-4 weeks before they start to drop into place. I won't let patients wear a bra until the implants are where they need to be and things look the best they will look. This may take months. Additionally, I have my patients wear an uncomfortable band to push the implants down for several weeks after surgery. I never want a bra to be uncomfortable, or worse, painful, as this can cause serious problems. Discuss this with your... more

Bras After Breast Implants

One should wear what is comfortable whether it’s a sports bra, no bra, or camisole. I generally do not recommend wearing an underwire for the first month. After that, one can do what they like as the shape and symmetry have been determined.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Bra and sports bra after surgery are mainly for support

The main issue immediately after surgery is to wear a bra that provides good support for the breast tissues and implants to allow proper healing during the first several weeks that the capsule is forming and maturing. This can be a sports bra or not, but with a sports bra I usually recommend only ones with cups and not the compressive bandeau kind of sports bras initially. This is because the bandeau really doesn't guide the implants and it may push them in a direction we don't... more

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Comments (2)

Leslie Shay 17 Mar 2013

we have the same body build i got 455ccs n my bra is very tight n also to tight to breath so what i do is wear a wrap w my bra so its not to tight on u

Beachie 26 Feb 2013

I have a question. I just had a Capsullhaphory revision keeping my same implant. I was wearing an Under Amour Compression Bra 32D before the surgery - it keeps my breast from moving at ALL. Totally holds them in place. This is what I brought to surgery and am wearing. The band around my rib cage is very tight but not super uncomfortable. The top part holds me secure in place so breasts are pushed into place.. not up nor down. I also have the mesh support. I am just worried that I should have a looser bra. This one feels great but will it impact my shape? It certainly has helped with pain as the breasts don't move so I experience way less pain than I did with the surgical bra. I'm 5 days post op and just now worrying because I have square looking boobs and hoping the bra isn't causing it.

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