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)

I prefer that the patients not wear a bra for one month after breast augmentation.  this allows the implant to settle naturally into position.  A bra will not help position the breast implant.

A surgical bra after surgery is very important. The surgical bra must fit correctly and be a specific brand and size. It will assist with shape and relieve pain after surgery. My patients are asked to wear the bra for several weeks after surgery and they find it very comfortable.

The truth is that there is no right answer.  Each doctor has his or her preference.  I like surgical bras and I make my patients wear it for 6wks.  I dont like underwire bra's initially and then I insist on it later.  Everyone has there own ideasGood Luck

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.