Sports Bra and Tighter Bra After Breast Implants?

This is a very common question and a very good one! With regard to garment usage during the post-operative period you will find many variations of surgeon practices. I request my patients remain in a sports type bra for 4 weeks post-operative which allows for support and compression. The goal is not to be uncomfortable due to the tightness of the garment rather to provide support and help control swelling during your post-operative care. I typically will request my patients remain in their garment day and night only removing to shower for the full four weeks following surgery where upon week five they are able to transition into any bra they are comfortable with. If at any time you are concerned your bra is not the right size or possibly is too tight i would advise you to follow up with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. One of the many reasons why I prefer to provide two post-operative garments to my patients as part of the personalized post-operative kit is to assure the proper fit.I do hope you have found this information helpful and I wish you luck! 

This is a very relevant question!
I usually ask my patients to wear a postoperative compressive bra after breast augmentation for 4 weeks day and night, and move on to regular sport bras during weeks 4 to 6.

This is a great question. I recommend wearing a supportive/compressive bra for 4-6 weeks. This helps stabilize the implants and minimize swelling. No underwire bras for 6 weeks. You want it tight but not uncomfortable. Hope this helps. Ask your physician if you have any questions. 

This is a very important question with probably different answers by different surgeons. Bras are usually used for a few different purposes
compressing the breast to reduce bleeding
hold the implants in position after surgery
reduce pain
In my practice of breast augmentation, the implant is placed in the subfascial plane, with no cuts in the pectoralis muscles. The overall bleeding in these cases is less than 2-3 cc per breast with no drain placement. The fascia holds the implant in place while proper hemostasis prevents the need for compression to reduce bleeding and hematomas. Therefore, I do not make the patients wear any bras in the immediate postoperative period. If they want to, they can wear a sportive bra for support. However this is not mandatory. Since sleeping on the breasts is forbidden for a minimum of 6 weeks, use of a bra at nights can help prevent any unwanted trauma to the breasts.
Hope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

I recommend my patients wear a sports bra for 6 weeks, 24/7 after surgery. I ask then to get one with a looser chest than normal (if you wear a 34, get a 36 inch), and cups that are way too small (B or C Cup sizes). This means that you can still breath (as the chest is not being squeezed by the lower part of the bra) and the breasts are being compressed - this means that swelling might be reduced, and the risk of bleeding and infection is also likely to be reduced. Pain is also less when wearing a good bra.
By the way, buying more than one of these bras is a good idea - that way you can still wear one and wash the others - things won't be pleasant if you wear the same bra for more than a few days!
I also ask my patients to continue to wear a support bra 24/7 even after the first 6 weeks. I am convinced that this fights off the 'enemies of the breast' - Time and Gravity. It is ok to wear no bra, or a less supportive bra occasionally, but for everyday use, a good supporting bra is really important.
Think of your sports bra as being like a garage for your car - your car will last a lot longer of it is stored indoors, but the odd night parked in a rainy field won't destroy it!
Thanks, and all the best.

You only need to wear a sports bra or surgical bra for the first month after surgery- and it does not need to be tight. The bra will not add anything to your final outcome. Find a bra that is comfortable and does not have an underwire during the first month.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Generally it is advised that patients follow their performing plastic surgeons post operative instructions due to different protocol routines per surgeon as well as case by case considerations.It is not a huge need for your bra's to be tight,but it is necessary for you to have proper consistent support and comfort after the first 3-4 weeks out surgery.

I place my patients in a loose fitting comfortable bra postoperatively and do not feel compression is necessary.  I feel a light sports bra is fine but not mandatory.  My patients can use an underwire in 6 weeks and I begin implant displacement exercises within the first week

Every surgeon has their own recipe for when it is appropriate to work out, wear an underwire bra and so forth.I generally like my patients to wear a sports bra for the first 2 months.  This is a comfortable sports bra which is not too tight.  After 4 weeks, I allow my patients to resume full activity, including going to the gym.  I do ask my patients to wear a tight supportive sports bra when they are at the gym.After 2 months is when patients are allowed to wear an underwire bra.Hope that helps.

It's a great question and every surgeon has their own specific protocol. For the first week my patients don't wear any bra. I simply don't want them to be constricted by anything that is tight or comfortable. There only dressing is a tiny waterproof Band-Aid. After one week they go in for a custom bra fitting. These bras are meant to be comfortable and give some gentle support and coverage as they return to work and their activities. By following certain principles of implant sizing, performing the surgery in a very specific way, and exercises during the recovery we can get most patients back to their day-to-day activities within one to two days.

Every plastic surgeon is different with regard to their post operative bra routine. It is always best to ask your surgeon and follow their instructions. I personally tell my patients to use a non-underwire sports bra or a front closing surgical bra for the first 6 weeks. The sports bra will help to reduce swelling and most patients say they have less pain when they have a bra on. The front closing bras are easier to put on for the first few weeks. Underwires are not recommended since you don't want to be putting pressure on the lower pocket of the breast especially if you have an incision in the breast fold. If the implants are under the muscle, you don't want to wear underwire bras for several months because you don't want to be pushing the implants any higher.