Can underwire and poorly fit bras misshape or distort implants?

Thank you for your question. My patients will have a surgical bra that I place at the time of surgery. They normally wear this for the first week or two and then transition to a sports bra that opens in the front. By six weeks, if their implants have sufficiently descended, I let my patients know they can start wearing a normal bra (including a push-up bra). They may still undergo some changes which can change their bra preferences a few months later.

Typically the bra should not affect the position of the implant after augmentation surgery. The pocket dissection is what mainly determines implant positioning. That being said, an ill fitting or overly tight bra may push the implant too much in one direction causing it to heal in a strange position. But that would mean you are wearing this constricting bra continuously throughout your healing cycle over the first 6-8 weeks. In my opinion, this does NOT include sports bras. I like sports bras for the support they provide and the extra "hug" of security they offer patients in the healing stages. I have my patients wear a sports bra for a couple of weeks after surgery. With round silicone gel implants, I also have my patients massage the breasts starting one week out from surgery. I believe this softens up the scar that is starting to form and allows the implant to maintain its somewhat mobile positioning (like natural breasts normally move). As far as underwire bras are concerned, the main risk has to do with their effect on the scar. If the incision is  located under the breast, the wires in the bra can rub on the scar. This can lead to irritation and possible raising of the scar. I recommend my patients avoid underwire bras for 3 months after surgery to allow the scar to mature.  I also have my patients start massaging the scar at 3 weeks to encourage collagen reorganization and overall softening of the scar.

The primary concern is when to use an underwire bra after surgery.  The most common incision type for implants is a crease incision.  I usually give the green light for underwire bras at one month.  At this time it usually will not chafe the incision and the incision has enough strength.  Another concern is when is the right time to purchase a new bra that represents the size one will maintain.  I usually tell patients that this occurs somewhere between the 6-12 week period depending on skin type, size of implant, type of implant, stretch, and swelling.

A bra that is too tight or has an underwire can affect your healing if it is worn too soon after surgery.  During surgery a pocket is created to accommodate the implant.  This pocket size has to be maintained to allow your breasts to have movement like a natural breast.  Your natural crease may have been lowered during your surgery, and therefore it is important to not allow this pocket to close (with constant compression of an underwire or poor-fitting bra).  Massages also helps to keep the pocket open to the size your PC created it.

are felt to be minimal as the implant is round and stays round regardless of what position it is in.  Contractures will do more to distort a breast shape.  When using underwire, the wire must not be pinching the breast implant.

In my practice I use a soft bra for at least a month after surgery. In my experience a tight bra or bra was an underwire may change the location of the implants caused them to heal in the wrong location.

Early on after surgery, the main concerns about underwire bras is pressure and chafing of a fold incision and pushing implants high when they still need to settle. Breast implants are strong, and while the underwire might be uncomfortable for the patient, it shouldn't cause injury of the breast implants.  Click on the link below if you're interested in more information about breast implants.

If your plastic surgeon has given you the go ahead to wear underwire bras you should be fine to do so.  I don't see how an underwire bra can affect the implant.  It can support the pocket to help with stretching out of the lower pole so if your implants are too high an underwire bra may slow down the relaxation of the breast tissue and prevent the implant from dropping down.All the best,Dr Remus Repta

It is always best to check with your plastic surgeon regarding the type of bra you can wear and the timing of wearing a new type of bra.  In general, once the capsule has healed it would be unusual for the type of bra to cause a lasting effect on the shape or position of the implants.  Good luck.

Mbandersen12,    A bra will support the breasts, but will not be able to change the shape after settling has occurred.  If a bra is worn too tightly, or if a push-up bra is used too early, there is the chance that it could cause the lower pocket to close up a little, but even that is questionable.  You should ask your Plastic Surgeon for advice, but I have allowed my patients to wear underwire bras immediately after surgery for 28 years, and it has not caused any problem that I can see.  I hope that this helps.     Best wishes,      Tom DeWire, MD, FACSRichmond, VA