How Long Do Patients Sleep in the Recovery Bra After a Breast Reduction?

It’s
important to realize that no two patients are ever exactly alike.For this reason, post-operative management
following breast reduction surgery varies from patient to patient.We generally recommend that patients wear a compressive
support bra following this procedure.This bra is worn day and night for three weeks.The majority of patients have no difficulty
tolerating it’s use.Patients are then
switched to a sports bra for an additional six weeks.At this point patients are allowed to return
to a regular bra, but underwire bras are avoided until wound healing is
complete.Patients who undergo breast
reduction surgery can expect swelling and discomfort following this
procedure.In an effort to decrease
swelling, most surgeons utilize compression garments in the post-operative
period.Compression minimizes swelling
and decreases post-operative pain.It
helps to remodel soft tissue and contributes significantly to the contour
improvement seen with this procedure.

Great question. The key to the surgical bra is compression and that it is soft. It does not have an underwire, which could put pressure on the incision and cause a problem. Therefore, while I ask patients not to put on any underwire bras for 6 weeks, which is the time it takes for everything to heal nearly 100%, I do allow them to switch to a sports bra or other soft bra that provides compression at 2 weeks. It really comes down to patient preference.
-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

It's a great question the answer really depends on your surgeon's preference is. I would make sure to follow your surgeon's instructions carefully. In my office I do not use any special bras. I do not wrap patients after surgery. After a week most women are getting back to work and wear a loose fitting sports bra, or band bra.