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.

Thank you for your question.In my practice, I recommend that patients wear a light weight compression bra for the first four weeks 24/7 following their breast reduction.  In my experience many patients find the support bras to be quite comfortable as well.  Each surgeon will have their own post-operative protocols, including the use of compression garments.  Their specific set of instructions for after surgery are generally formulated based upon their training, surgical technique and past experience.  Unfortunately this can be quite confusing for patients as there is no single universal rule, and to this end it is to the patients benefit to discuss any post-operative instructions or concerns directly with their operating surgeon.I hope you find this helpful and I wish you the best!

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. 

I advise my patients to wear a post-surgical bra for 6 weeks following surgery. Many patients continue to wear the post surgical bra after the 6 week period as they find it comfortable and provides great support.

Healing after #BreastReductionOur staff at the Pacific Center for Plastic
Surgery will help you select the proper size. The bra holds the breasts
symmetrically during the initial healing. The initial discomfort subsides daily
and can be controlled with oral medication. It is best to wear the bra 24 hours
each day until released by the doctor.

That is a great question. I require that my patients wear the surgical bra for the total of six weeks to achieve optimal results. The surgical bra allows the breasts to heal properly. Hope this has helped.

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

Every surgeon has different preferences, and this ranges from no compression at all to 24/7 compression for up to 6 weeks post operatively. I personally have my patients wrap in an ACE wrap for 1 week 24/7, then wear a front closure sports bra that is not too tight and does not have underwire for 4 weeks after surgery. At that point they may transition to a non underwire bra of their choosing, and I allow underwire once the incisions have completely healed, which is usually between the 6-8 week mark.

Hi,

I have my patients wear a crop-top sports brea with no underwire day and night (coming out of it only to shower) for the first few weeks. Most of my patients don't mind it - they say that it gives them good support and allows them to get on with the things they want to do.

I hope this helps and good luck with your surgery.

Instead of a support bra, I use ace wraps for about a week for a breast reduction surgery  patient as I find that the wraps  are easier to adjust to the varying amount of  post operative swelling a patient experience.

Then, I suggest that the patients were a sports bra for gentle support and commfort for an additional 3 to 4 weeks.  This allows for the wounds to heal, and reduces stress on the wounds and breast tissues generally.