I'm 7 weeks post op. Do I still need to wear a sports bra?

Question

Hi there, I am 7 weeks post op and was wondering if I still have to wear a sports bra? My scars have healed lovely and I feel very comfortable wearing an under wire bra now but I don't want to ruin the shape? Thank you

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I often recommend that patients find a sports bra that opens in the front and that is comfortable to wear.  They can take breaks during the day and I also encourage breast massage after a week.  It is important for your implants to move around and develop a comfortable space (or capsule) within the breast.  After six weeks, I tell my patients that they can start wearing their regular bra.

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Every surgeon will have his/her own preferences as to recovery for specific procedures. I have patients wear a soft bra after breast augmentation for a few weeks to splint everything, and at that point the scars are generally very stable and we move to normal bras (or none) and long term scar management.

The best person to advise you on this is your specific surgeon.

The best person to advise you on this is your specific surgeon.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Typically I tell patients to wear a sports bra for 6 weeks. Each surgeon varies in their post operative instructions. Please ask this question to your chosen surgeon. Best of luck.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not necessary to wear a sports bra at seven weeks after surgery.  If you find it to be uncomfortable, it is not helping you.  An underwire bra would be acceptable at this point.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

I usually ask patients to wear their compression bra for two months, day and night after their breast augmentation surgery. However, it is always best to follow up with your surgeon and ensure he/she is okay with you removing the bra.

William Townley, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Hi there. I'm glad everything seems to be going well. An underwired bra should have no effect on breast shape at this stage. The main reason for avoiding it early on is to avoid pressure on the healing wound. As always, I'm sure your PS would be happy to give his own take on this issue too. Good luck!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

In my practice you would not be expected to wear a sports brawl religiously seven  weeks after breast augmentation. However, this is a matter of opinion and you should follow the instructions of your own surgeon.

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

I typically like my patients to wear a sports bra for one month after surgery and then move to a regular bra if healing is going smoothly.  Every surgeon is different so it would be best to check with your surgeon.  ac

Alexander G. Nein, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Every surgeon will have his/her own preferences as to what type of bra to wear and how long to wear that bra after surgery. That recommendation will be based on his/her experience in patient care and any specific factors related to any particular individual. Although I rarely have my patients wear a bra after surgery, it is at times beneficial.The person who can best advise you on wearing a bra this late after surgery is your surgeon. He/she was there at the time of surgery, is aware of any nuances in your procedure and recovery and ultimately has your best interest in mind. I would seek their recommendations and follow them carefully.

Ernesto Hayn, MD · Answer

In my practice the time required to wear a sports bra varies per patient.  It is used mainly as a transition mechanism between your old bra size and your new bra size.  The sports bras are used to allow for the edema to subside in your soft tissue and thus be able to determine what your new bra size is will be.  As always ask your surgeon what his/her opinion is.