Underwire Bra After Breast Reduction.....How Long Should I Wait?

Every board certified plastic surgeon will have their own post op protocol to follow. I advise my patients to return to wearing underwire bras at 6 weeks post op.

Every doctor has different post op instructions so you should ask your surgeon what would work for you. The dressings vary from patient to patient. Some patients may be placed in a sports bra; others will wear a stabilizing elastic support strap. Your doctor will decide after surgery and in subsequent weeks, which dressing will suit your needs

We generally
avoid using underwire bras for six to eight weeks following breast reduction
surgery.In the immediate post-operative
period an underwire bra has the potential to irritate a fresh surgical
incision.An inframammary incision would
be directly beneath the underwire and this might irritate the incision.After six to eight weeks wound healing would
no longer be an issue.In most breast
reduction patients it’s reasonable to resume the use of an underwire bra at
this time.

I agree that it is best to ask your plastic surgeon on their preferences.  I personally prefer my patients to wait 3-4 weeks, or untill the incisions are completely healed and an under wire can be worn comfortably. 

Kindest regards,

Neil J. Zemmel

Recommendations as to when to be able to wear an underwire bra varies among plastic surgeons. You should inquire of your operating plastic surgeon to determine what his/her approach is. Typically, my patients will wait several weeks, often around a month, before wearing one.