How Long After Breast Augmentation Surgery, Will I Be my Final Bra Size?

Patients undergoing breast augmentation can anticipate significant swelling in the immediate post-operative period. This swelling resolves quickly with the vast majority being gone in about three weeks. Almost all of the visible swelling is gone in 4 to 6 weeks, but small amounts of residual swelling may be present for up to 3 to 4 months following surgery. For these reasons, it's appropriate to assume that you've reached your final bra size three months following your procedure.

 Thanks so much for your question. That’s definitely a question that gets asked all the time. I typically don’t have my patients get sized for bras for the first three weeks following surgery. It sounds like you’re at that point now so I think that it would be safe to go invest in some bras and be measured so you know your final size.

You are early in the healing process. Allow your body to heal which may take 3-6 months. At that time, you will be able to purchase a bra for your final result.

Give your breasts about 3-4 months to settle and for the majoirty of the swelling to dissipate before buying a wardrobe of bras.

Most women don't reach their "final" size until about 3 months after surgery, however, the amount of change you will see over the next two months will be subtle. It is OK to buy a bra or two now, but hold off on the bulk of bra shopping until about 3 months to ensure your money is well spent.

Best of luck!

I feel 3 months is a good time frame for all the swelling to be gone and try on some sample bras. Healing can be as short as a month. 

Dear KBinWa,

You should be mostly healed one month after breast augmentation. However, the breast implants generally take a few months to "settle" into position. I would suggest shopping for a new bra collection two to three months after surgery.

Warmest wishes,

Larry Fan, MD

You are only 1 month out of surgery and I would tell my patients to wait before buying bras because in my experience, things still change for the first 3-6 months (each pt is different). Don't buy all of your bras just yet, wait a few more months.

A woman will have her final bra size after breast augmentation when the breast implants have settled into their final position. There is some variation among patients but in general it will happen in 2-4 months so the average (3 months) is a good time to make this investment. My experience has been that silicone gel implants settle in a little quicker than saline, so the answer for most women with silicone breast implants is about 2 months. Before you go on a shopping spree, ask the opinion of your plastic surgeon.

I would suggest a couple of transitional bras for the first 2 months or so.  Then you can go shopping with a good idea of the final size so the bras fit best.  Good luck!