How long do I wear a bra after a breast lift and augmentation?

I advise my patients to wear a surgical bra for one month, then a sports bra for another month, then an underwire bra thereafter.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Congratulations on your surgery. Only your surgeon can give you this specific advice. However, it's important to remember that a common reason to need a lift with your implant is from loss of tissue elasticity and breast sagging. Women who have a lift with their augmentation are still at risk of having recurrent sagging. Avoiding sagging is the reason to continue to wear a supportive bra routinely.

I like for my patients to wear a soft surgical bra for about 4 weeks and then there are no restrictions.  But with that said, each patient is different, and sometimes the plan changes depending on the healing.  

Dear lori1997,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Each surgeon has a specific protocol. It may also depend on whether your implants need to drop or need to be supported (which in turn may depend on whether a lift was performed or is needed, or how large the implants are, etc.). Most surgeons recommend a surgical bra furnished at the time of surgery for the first few weeks, then sports or other comfortable cotton bras that open in the front until you get to about a month out. After that, most patients have latitude to find bras that they like but it may also depend on whether you had a lift, since those incisions are lengthier and may take longer to heal.

but in my practice, it really depends on where your implants are.  If you need your implants to drop, no bra and I employ the strap/band until my patient feels the look is 'good enough'.  When good enough, bra use is at her desires... but not really supporting her implants until she reaches the look she wants to keep and maintain.  At this point,  a supportive bra is needed  until the scar has adequately set up (weeks).  But not everyone will agree with my recommendations.

Plastic surgeons have their own protocols that can vary. But in general after breast augmentation you don't want to wear underwired bra for about 3 months so your implants can settle otherwise it is theoretically possible that the pocket heals before they have a chance to settle and form a tear drop shape.For breast lift however I have my patients change from surgical bra to sports bra the day after the surgery because they tend to keep things snug and prevent too much motion that helps with the pain and taking tension off for healing.For both surgeries I would recommend not to wear underwired bra for 2-3 months.

Thank you for your question. The use of a surgical bra after mastopexy/breast augmentation varies from surgeon to surgeon. Typically, I recommend use of a surgical bra for about 4 weeks. After that, provided the patient has healed without complications, I allow the patient to get into something more comfortable. Check in with your plastic surgeon for their specific instructions. Best of luck in your recovery. 

This will depend on the placement of the implants.  In the vast majority of cases, I like for my patients to wear a good sports bra to assist in scar management.  Each surgeon has his own protocol, so follow your surgeon's post operative instructions.