Wearing the compression band gives me pain on my upper pole near the sternum. Is this normal? Should I stop wearing it? (Photo)

Follow up with you surgeon and have them evaluate the band you are wearing. If they think it is still necessary, have them check it to be sure it is being the band is being worn properly and not too tight. Wearing it on top of a thin tee shirt can also make it more comfortable.

I have no use for bands.  After
breast augmentation I find no particular advantage to the use of surgical bras.
In fact, I find that they can do more harm than good. They hold the implants
too high, preventing them from dropping into position. In addition, they can
put pressure on the healing breast or the wound. They provide no advantage. If
the surgery was performed correctly, external appliances after surgery are
unnecessary to achieve the appropriate final implant position. At one month we
allow the patients to wear a soft cup bra with no underwire. At two
months, they can wear any bra with a wire without push up. Before three
months it is not wise to buy a whole new set of bras. By six months, the
bra size is not going to change. You need to try bras on. Being
measured is almost never productive and almost always oversizes. Find the
ones that you like the way they fit.