In general, most surgeons will be more interested in the kind of bra you wear than the clothing that covers it, so I think actual clothing is more your choice, and it will be determined more by your physical and emotional comfort. Your surgeon will have the best recommendations about bras at this point. For your information, though, I can tell you that in my practice I ask ladies at this point to wear a comfortable, very lightly supportive bra without wires, pads, or "push-ups." I don't really want a very firm or highly compressive bra, especially if we have textured implants. I want there to be some natural effect of gravity to guide the implant and the shaping of the breast envelope, and an overly compressive bra may hinder this. Research has shown that one of the most frequently identifiable factors in capsule contracture appears to be a very compressive bra postoperatively. Thus, I am of the mindset that, with a properly and meticulously performed operation, we only need the minimum amount of support to keep the implant position under control and to prevent excess stress on the tissues, and anything more than that is probably counterproductive. Following this logic, my own patients don't usually have a problem finding garments that "fit over" or "hide" their bras, because we aren't using a particularly bulky bra that is out of the norm with most "normal" bras. On a practical note, bras that fasten in front are good for the first week after surgery when you might be more sore and swollen, but I typically start my patients performing controlled range of motion exercises for their shoulders and pectoral muscles the day after surgery, so that they reach overhead within the first week - gently of course! Thus, overhead bras aren't typically a problem for my patients either, as long as comfort and range of motion allow, and the bra is put on with care. I believe that carefully getting people back to "normal life" in all respects as soon after surgery of any kind is best. I think many postoperative protocols needlessly delay this. With regard to the actual clothing that's worn over your bra, again, you can stick more to front fastening blouses and tops as comfort dictates, but as soon as you can adequately reach to put on overhead tops or rear fastening tops, as long as you put them on with care, it shouldn't be a problem. Beyond this, you will have to assess the "fit" and the appearance of the garment over whatever bra you are wearing. As always, I am sharing my ideas here with you and the experience that my patients have in my own practice, but this may not be consistent with your own surgeon's instructions. Before making any changes to the instructions you have been given by your own surgeon, be sure to check with them first and get their guidance. Best of luck.
