Is it really necessary to wear the strap over the breast implants after breast augmentation to help the implant drop?

Gravity can sometimes do the trick but it is best to actively correct the problem with a bra strap, specially in the very early phase of healing.  Once a capsule is formed the implant cannot be repositioned with outside pressure or gravity.  

Not every patient needs one but they can be helpful for some patients.    If your physician  feels this is the best post op course for you I would follow his/her professional advise.    If you have questions make an appointment with your physician.Good Luck

It is common to use a strap and bra to stabilize the implant in the pocket during healing and prevent unwanted stretching of the pocket.  The strap many also provide some gentle downward pressure on the lower pocket to help stretch it out, but this will also typically  happen over time due to the weight of the implant as the swelling resolves and the tissues themselves relax.  To me it doesn't seem to matter much, as time is the most important ingredient to all of this.  However, I would recommend you follow your surgeons advise.  This is a matter of surgeon preference, so ask your surgeon.

Although not all patients require a strap over the breasts, some surgeons use them routinely to help stabilize the breast implant pocket. The strap also ask to provide gentle pressure downwards on the implant if used correctly. It is true that implants will drop on their own although it is possible that the strap may speed up the process. Often a strap is used especially if the distance from the nipple to the fold is short.

Thank you for the question.  If your surgeon recommended you wear the strap, presumably they felt that this would help assist with the normal healing process.

Thank you for your question. I do not routinely used a strap over the superior portion of the breasts following breast augmentation surgery. I think a good support bra is more important in the early post op period. I would follow up with your surgeon to inquire if there was any particular reason he wants you to wear the superior strap. “This answer has been solicited without seeing the patient
and cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person
treatment with a board certified plastic surgeon for appropriate care.”                                                                                  

You do want to use the strap help the implants settle. If the
implants settle from day one, then you would not want to use it so it will not
push implant too low.It is best to
follow your surgeon’s advice regarding this.

For most women, the implants in a breast augmentation don't actually "drop." Fullness decreases in the upper breast for two reasons - resolution of swelling and relaxation of the muscle. Initially after a submuscular breast augmentation, the pectoralis muscle is tight. This compresses the implant and give the impression that the implant is sitting high. Over time, the muscle relaxes and stops compressing the implant. From the outside, this appears as though the implant "drops." Bra straps can help reduce swelling initially, but are usually not necessary for a standard breast augmentation. However, there are times when a bandeau is very useful! If significant capsule work has been done, capsular releases have been performed, or constricting bands in the breast have been released (such as a tuberous breast) - then adding downward pressure is may be desired.The bottom line is that your plastic surgeon is advising you to wear a bandeau for a specific reason. No one on this forum knows your story, was present in the operating room, or can tell you to wear or not wear the bandeau. The best answer is to follow the instructions of your plastic surgeon, and contact them if you have further questions. 

The is NO WAY to answer if you need a strap or not without in person examination to see if you are riding high... Best to follow your surgeon's advise ONLY! 

Surgeons tend to have different preferences based on their experiences and training.  Yes.  The implants will drop as the skin and muscle relax over the top of the implant and gravity and time will settle the implants naturally.  The strap provides some continuous inner and downward pressure that helps this process.  Some would say it's totally necessary.  Some would say it's not.  Talk to your surgeon and find out their preference.  In my practice I sometimes don't use the strap based on the patients skin quality and the degree of relaxation the tissues need.  Most likely you could skip the strap and be just fine.  I typically encourage downward massage or simply patience and time if I don't thing the strap is needed.  Best wishes.