Why is it necessary to wear a compression wrap or tight sports bra after breast explant surgery?

Doctors have many ways of treating patients after implant removal. A surgery involving an extensive capsulectomy is much different from just removing an implant which requires little work. In most situations, I don't think it is necessary to use drains or firm compression. I prefer to have my patients wear a lightly compressive sports bra for about 10 days. Either way, it is important to follow your doctor's directions. They understand much more about your personal surgery than I do.

Cuh53:  You would be lucky to get a group of surgeons in a room to agree on what time it is but one thing we mostly all agree on is the need for compression after implant removal.  This procedure creates a large "dead space" which is prone to filling up with fluids.  It may seem ridiculous but it's probably best to follow your doctor's recommendation.  The alternative may require sticking a large needle into your breast.Best of luck to you!G. Robert Meger MD

Surgeons commonly recommend gentle compression to the chest area after implant removal. This is to reduce swelling and fluid buildup.  It should not be excessively tight or uncomfortable.  A few weeks is typically all that is recommended, however recommendations will vary among surgeons. Discuss this with your surgeon. Best wishes.

Thank you for your question! While wearing a compression garment is not obligatory, I highly recommend that my patients do wear them. Doing so will reduce swelling and the accumulation of blood and fluid in your pocket after explantation. Remember this is temporary. 

Wearing compression after breast implant removal helps to prevent fluid from building up in the space that used to be occupied by the implants.  If this fluid builds up in the pocket it often has to be aspirated by needle and syringe in the surgeon's office.  Compression is a proactive way of preventing this.

Thanks for your post.  If you had drains for 1 weeks, I would typically only have my patients wear compression for another 1-2 weeks to assure that you don't get any fluid build-up (seroma) within the  now empty pocket.  If you are more than several weeks out, it is completely legitimate to discuss discontinuing the compression.
Best wishes,
Daniel Brown, MD, FACSBoard Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsMember American Society of  Plastic SurgeonsCastle Connolly Top DocReal Self Top 500