How long after breast augmentation can you switch from your sports bra to a regular bra?

I absolutely do NOT want my patients to wear a sports bra full time after breast augmentation, but that's because of how I dissect my patients' central pockets near the breastbone cleavage area. Most patients want the cleavage area as "tight" or close as possible, and they usually hate a wide or "Grand Canyon" cleavage. This means making the pockets relatively close, and that means wearing a sports bra all the time can stretch or tear these remaining fibers and cause or worsen symmastia (unaboob).
However, other surgeons don't try to make a close cleavage, and in fact leave it an inch wide or more, which means wearing a sports bra full time can stretch or tear a few fibers without causing symmastia. However, if fibers do NOT stretch or tear, then a wide cleavage will automatically result. Not good either.
Bottom line: ask your surgeon. (Or look in the mirror and see how close your implants are right now.)  If they are close, I would advise against wearing a sports bra "all the time." Wearing a regular bra may also have something to do with how high or low your implants end up (too high, or bottoming out).
Bear in mind that implants almost NEVER stay where surgeons put them (unless they are textured, as these are designed to stay in place). Since complete healing takes 6-12 months, it is incumbent for us as surgeons to understand this and so inform our patients. Otherwise, an augmentation patient who looks great at 3 months post-op and thinks "everything is OK, wear any bra you wish" will find that she can adversely influence implant position in ways she never anticipated. Unfortunately, I've done enough breast augmentation over my 3 decades in practice, and revised any number of patients from other surgeons (as well as a few of my own, but not from THIS problem), that I've seen just this scenario occur. Not good.
Apparently a few patients have as well, as my number one answer (in the Q & A section on my RealSelf surgeon's page) is on just this topic, with 120 "like" votes. You can read more by clicking on the web reference link below. Something to think about. Ask your surgeon. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Each surgeon has their own specific post operative instructions they ask their patients to follow. It is best you ask your chosen surgeon. Regards, 

Thank you for your question. Every surgeons post-op care will vary but in my practice we have our patients wear a sports bra for 6-8 weeks after surgery. Please ask your surgeon what his protocol is at your follow-up appointment.