Should I Wear Surgical Bra After Breast Augmentation?

Dear Nurcan,

 

The short and sweet answer is that it probably makes no difference.  Having said that, many surgeons have very specific beliefs about bra usage after breast augmentation.  My approach to post-op bras is the following.

 

If I want the implant to drop (usually after a subpectoral or under the muscle augment), I have my patients go without a bra.  I may also use a bandeau which pushes the implants down.  This is because implants tend to ride high in the first few weeks after a subpectoral augment, and I want to get my patients to the final cosmetic result as soon as possible.  

 

If I have inserted an implant in either the subfascial or subglandular space, I usually have patients wear a surgical bra, as I don't want the implants do drop or distort the position of the IMF. The IMF is the fold under the breast. 

 

In cases where I have altered the IMF position for symmetry purposes, I will have patients wear an underwire bra to help define the new IMF.

 

There is no evidence for any of the above, but it makes sense to me.  I suggest you ask your surgeon for their rationale/approach to post-op bra usage.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Sincerely,

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C)

My patients typically leave the operating room with a gentle  surgical bra. It holds the fluffy dressings in place and lightly 'splints' the breast.  If it is bothersome, patients are instructed to take it off. Whatever works best!  

Keep in mind that there are many principles that guide us in the practice of plastic surgery, and these are usually very consistent from surgeon to surgeon. Beyond these principle are the little tricks and tips we have picked up along the way. These are usually more dogma than anything else. For me in my practice I think woman are more comfortable with the support of the bra and therefore I recommend wearing them after surgery. I would say that 95% are more comfortable with a bra than without. For that small group of folks I tell them do what's comfortable, and if that means no bra then that is ok.

I do not mandate my patients wear any specialty designed bra. I have them wear a front clasp sports bra that is made of cotton that gives a slight compression and fits them properly around their chest wall in their pre-surgical consultation. We do this at the time of their final sizing appointment to make sure you have a little bit of support but not too much constriction on your implants.I also ask my patients to move their implants 4 times a day fastidiously in the first few weeks. There is really no device that has been shown to improve outcome or reduce capsular contracture. I think the main thing is that you are kept comfortable and that you can change a tiny panty shield inside your sports bra readily without much discomfort or manipulation that causes you tenderness after surgery. A small Steri-Strip on your incision is usually the only dressing and I don’t advocate any other specialized garments.

I typically advise my patients to wear a supportive bra that opens in the front. However, you should discuss this with your surgeon. He or she may have their own reasons for not wanting a post op bra in place that can depend on their techniques and practice. Best of luck with your surgery!

Surgeons have different techniques and each surgeon's technique will tell you about their post-operative regimen. My technique has led me to be successful with advising my patients to wear a surgical bra for 6 weeks then carry on with a bra with a wire after that time. This has been successful for my patients. If your surgeon suggests wearing a loose shirt then it sounds like his technique has led him to advise reducing your support in order to let the implant descend a bit faster. Whichever approach your doctor advises you, I encourage you to ask him/her why!

I recommend a front-close sports bra since you may have some discomfort lifting your arms above your head, but individual surgeons have their own preferences for post-operative clothing. Neither recommendation is good or bad, but if you’re having a breast augmentation without a lift, a supportive bra can help with discomfort more than anything. I typically do not recommend compression bras.

I recommend my patients o use surgical bra after breast augmentation. It helps implants to settle down and helps with swellings. The implants are placed under the muscle , i use a band in addition for the first 4 weeks to keep the implant in position and prevent it from riding high. The surgical bra should be worn all the time for first 6 weeks and lit of my patients sleep in sports bra even after that. Please discuss with your Consultant about any rationale for any different advice on surgical bras.

Hello and thank you for this great question. I typically have my patients wear a soft cotton surgical bra with no zippers or clips for about 3 weeks following their surgery. The bra provides some degree of compression, but not too much and is also comfortable to wear post operatively. In my opinion, some form of support should be worn for the first several weeks following surgery to facilitate the healing process. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. Every plastic surgeon has their own post operative care techniques that they choose to use based upon their training, experiences, and results from patients. I would advise you to follow what ever instructions your surgeon gives regarding wearing or not wearing a bra. Good luck.

Every surgeon has their own routine in terms of postop instructions. However, most patients are more comfortable not wearing a bra for a few days, and if the surgery was carefully done with precise dissection of the pocket, the implants should not move. However, there are circumstances where a surgical bra is helpful. I would follow your surgeon’s advice.