Surgeon persists I wear underwire post BR. Is this normal?

Question

I am six days post a breast reduction. My surgeon insists I wear a underwire bra during full recovery in order to shape my breast correctly. This is the opposite of what I am reading everywhere else. Not to mention extremely uncomfortable. Does anybody understand this or know if this is normal?

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thank you for your question.
Every surgeon has their own protocol they follow. Continue to follow your instructions and reach out to your surgeon with your concerns. Best wishes!

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Each surgeon has their own post surgical instructions to follow.  I would recommend following their recommendations and you can ask if you can put a little gauze for padding under the underwire part of the bra.  Best of luck to you.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons differ on post-op guidelines for the type bra and the length of time to wear it following breast surgery procedures.  Although my practice provides patients with a surgical bra, a sports bra is fine; I do not recommend wearing an underwire bra.  I recommend that my patients wear the bra for six weeks after BR surgery.  In addition to facilitating wound healing, the bra also minimizes swelling, pain, and the formation of a seroma, or hematoma.I always advocate following the post-operative guidelines of the PS who performed your surgery as he/she knows how you are recovering and the extensiveness of your surgery.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Lauren Greenberg, MD · Answer

As other doctors have stated, every doctor is different, and you should defer to your doctor's recommendation.I love underwire bras after breast reduction. Why?I do the short scar technique, so an underwire isn't running along the scar line (like it does on an anchor scar).I think underwire bras are just better supportive bras.You will swell to fill whatever shape you put your breast into right after surgery.  An underwire helps make sure you are supported in the right places and shape.It should be comfortable.  If it isn't, maybe try a different size or brand.

Nick Masri, MD, FACS · Answer

First of all, congratulations on your breast reduction surgery, kristy9230!
Although it’s unusual for your surgeon to ask you to wear an underwear bra post-op, please remember that every plastic surgeon has his own protocol regarding that. There’s no hard and fast rule for such.
However, wearing an underwire bra while you’re still healing might be uncomfortable. It can also irritate your incisions. Let your reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon know of your concerns so that he can do something about it.
Good luck!

Surgeon persists I wear underwire post BR. Is this normal?

Answers (5)