Hi, after a breast reduction: 1. Underwire questions a. When is it 'safe' to wear an underwire? b. Is wearing an underwire only about comfort or is there a medical reason one should not wear underwire for a certain length of time? 2. Bra fitting a. I understand the shape will continue to settle over around 6 months, but will a bra 'size' continue to change over that time as well? b. One month post-op, do you think going to get a bra fitting is still too soon or is the size close to final?
Answer: When is it safe to wear an underwire and for how long after reduction will bra 'size' be final? Thanks for your very good questions. As far as waiting to wear an underwire bra, the primary reason for that restriction is to save the incisions from undue fretting and irritation, which could impact the healing and post-operative scarring. The time frame varies from surgeon to surgeon, based on what they have experienced with their own patients. Some allow patients to wear them after just one week, while others recommend waiting up to six weeks to allow the incisions ample time to heal completely. Your breasts may remain swollen for many months after breast reduction surgery and will continue to “settle” for a period after that in many cases. With the changes that the breasts can undergo for up to one year or more, it is best to wait to be fitted for new bras until you know the breasts won’t be changing significantly. Your surgeon will be able to advise you on this as well. If you are okay with changing your bra size a few months after your initial fitting, it is completely acceptable to purchase new undergarments whenever you are ready. Best wishes on a healthy and speedy recovery process! - Edmund Ek, MBBS
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Answer: When is it safe to wear an underwire and for how long after reduction will bra 'size' be final? Thanks for your very good questions. As far as waiting to wear an underwire bra, the primary reason for that restriction is to save the incisions from undue fretting and irritation, which could impact the healing and post-operative scarring. The time frame varies from surgeon to surgeon, based on what they have experienced with their own patients. Some allow patients to wear them after just one week, while others recommend waiting up to six weeks to allow the incisions ample time to heal completely. Your breasts may remain swollen for many months after breast reduction surgery and will continue to “settle” for a period after that in many cases. With the changes that the breasts can undergo for up to one year or more, it is best to wait to be fitted for new bras until you know the breasts won’t be changing significantly. Your surgeon will be able to advise you on this as well. If you are okay with changing your bra size a few months after your initial fitting, it is completely acceptable to purchase new undergarments whenever you are ready. Best wishes on a healthy and speedy recovery process! - Edmund Ek, MBBS
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October 23, 2017
Answer: Breast Reduction Questions Hello,There is no standard as to when it is “safe” to wear an underwire bra. I don’t like underwire bras in the first 6 months because they tend to dig into the skin at the newly created suture lines and I have seen problems along the suture lines from the bras. Final bra size will be able to be seen after swelling goes down, which is usually within a couple of months. I would recommend discussing these questions with your breast reduction surgeon. I usually tell patients that they must wait at least 6 months before one can say that the result is “final.” Best of luck!
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October 23, 2017
Answer: Breast Reduction Questions Hello,There is no standard as to when it is “safe” to wear an underwire bra. I don’t like underwire bras in the first 6 months because they tend to dig into the skin at the newly created suture lines and I have seen problems along the suture lines from the bras. Final bra size will be able to be seen after swelling goes down, which is usually within a couple of months. I would recommend discussing these questions with your breast reduction surgeon. I usually tell patients that they must wait at least 6 months before one can say that the result is “final.” Best of luck!
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