What Are the Effects if I Keep Wearing my Sports Bra After Breast Augmentation?

All of my colleagues have given answers that are thoughtful and informative, but they all seem to lack information about one problem I have seen in a few of my patients who wear a sports bra "too much" after surgery. I would define "too much" as most of the day and night, as in some patients who tell me when I ask them to remain braless during the day (when not exercising, jogging, etc.) and they respond with "But I HAVE to wear a bra!" Some patients are apparently raised that wearing a bra is essential for feminine modesty, and they feel so uncovered or psychologically "wrong" about being braless, they would actually violate my recommendation rather than go without a brassiere. Some surgeons actually want their patients to wear a sports bra as much as possible--especially right after surgery!
Let's first keep in mind that complete healing takes 6-12 months after breast augmentation, and things can change for that entire period, not just for the first few weeks or months.Some surgeons apparently like the immobilization and gentle compression that a sports or stretch bra allows after surgery, as this can help reduce bleeding and bruising. But wait, I thought that was the job of the surgeon in the operating room! I personally recommend as perfect hemostasis (control of bleeding) in the operating room as possible, and then no bandage or compression bra--not needed. Drains should never be used when implants are involved--too much potential for bacterial contamination leading to capsular contracture. I know--drains are used to evacuate blood that can lead to capsular contracture, but how about better hemostasis so drains aren't considered "necessary?" I start with implant position a bit higher than ideal (gravity works on what percentage of patients???), have my patients use an elastic bandeau at night, and have them go braless during the day--a camisole or tube top with built-in light bra is OK, but no tight or push-up bras (yet). As the implants near their desired positions (still a tiny bit high), then the nighttime bandeau is discontinued, and a supportive (not push-up or jog/stretch bra) bra is added to slow the rate of implant dropping into position. Remember, this takes 6-12 months until "final" position is achieved.But, how about position and width of the implants side-side? (This is about position beneath the nipple/areola complex to give proper cleavage and "side boob.") Too high a profile for your breast base diameter and you get "Grand Canyon" wide cleavage--not good. Too close in the midline and you get uni-boob (and "wall-eye" nipples that point sideways.) So what does this have to do with jog or stretch bras being worn too much?
The problem is that the breast pocket is created surgically to be centered beneath the nipple/areola complex, and the chest in cross-section is an oval, with the breasts actually "pointing" slightly to the sides. In other words, the chest is not flat facing forward with the nipple/areola complexes pointing straight ahead. Yet a snug (non-cup) elastic sports or jog bra compresses the breasts inward, pushing the implants together in the midline, stretching and perhaps tearing a few of the fibers that connect the pockets to the breast bone centrally, and potentially creating or worsening uni-boob (known as symmastia). The not-yet-healed (for that aforementioned 6-12 months) pocket can close down laterally and seal shut, malpositioning the implants too far to the center. If worn too much and too long, this malposition and potential symmastia (uniboob or loss of cleavage) can become permanent.
And re-do surgery is the only way to correct this when it occurs.
I believe the way to avoid this unfortunate turn of events is to advise patients that for the first year or so until their breast pockets have healed completely, they should NOT wear any sports or stretch bra day and night, and in fact should probably go braless for a part of each day. I also have my patients move their implants in the surgically-created pocket to keep the capsule from becoming the exact same size as the implants. This allows the pockets to stay slightly larger than the implants, minimizing capsular contracture and enhancing softness and natural movement. 
Some surgeons feel implant movement exercises are not necessary, since there is always some movement of the implants, and if submuscular, the normal contraction of the muscles "massage" and move the implants "enough." Perhaps true, but I like to ensure the pockets stay open and the breast softness and movement "natural." I can also direct implant displacement exercises so that the pockets stay open in not only the right position, but also in a round orientation, rather than the "oblong" breast shape caused by allowing muscle contraction to push implants in only one direction--down and out.
Every augmentation patient's implants drop with gravity and scar softening and stretch over time (unless capsular contracture occurs--fortunately rare if surgery is done carefully)--the only thing is we don't know how long this will take or how far the implants will drop over time. This is why I believe starting a bit higher than ideal, and ongoing follow-up after surgery is essential for 6-12 months. And why a bra day and night (especially a jog bra that presses inward) is NOT a smart thing when you want implants to drop and stay centered side-to-side. When position is almost perfect, then a supportive bra will slow any further drop and aid in maintaining proper position long-term.
Like most of my colleagues, I advise no underwire bra until a minimum of 3 weeks after surgery, or until the (crease) incision is not irritated by the wire. (Surgeons who use other incisions may not have this requirement). And, of course, all this good (and potentially bad) implant movement assumes the use of smooth implants.
Bottom line: ask your surgeon what his or her recommendation is (and perhaps why), since most of us have given this much thought and have actual reasons why we recommend what we do! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

I prefer that the patients wear no bra for 1 month after surgery.  This allows the implants to fall into position.  If you wear a bra too much, it can hold the implants up and prevent them from falling into position.

I generally recommend a bra without underwire that provides support during the first several weeks after surgery. After that, patients can transition to whichever they feel is most comfortable. Its important to discuss with your surgeon, but so long as your sports bra is not too constrictive, you should be fine. Best of luck!

Hello there, this is a great question! There will be no negative effect by wearing a sports bra at this stage, and at this point, the bra really isn’t doing that much. If it is more comfortable, I think a sports bra is fine or as long as you want, at around 6-8 weeks, you may resume use of an underwire bra if desired.

Depending on the type of implant and position of the implant your surgeon may recommended different options. For my patients I recommend an “interim bra” that is usually a soft post operative bra or sport bra with no underwire. This ‘interim’ bra should be supportive, soft and fit the shape of the new breast well. For the first 2 weeks wear the ‘interim’ bra day and night. Usually by 4 weeks patients can change into a soft underwire bra. My advice is that any bra worn in the early post operative period should NOT push the implant out of position as adverse effects could possibly occur. 

A sports bra is a comfortable and convenient garment to wear after breast augmentation surgery. Sometimes surgeons instruct patients to switch from a sports bra to an underwire bra later in their recovery, when they feel the implants have assumed their final position in the pocket, and they believe the patient would benefit from greater support of her breasts.  If you have any questions about your postoperative care, it is always a good idea to check with your surgeon’s office.

Thanks for the question. I suggested the patients wear no underwear for a month after operation.  If you wear a bra, underwear much, it can hold the implants higher and block them from falling into position. This permits the implants to fall into position. I wish you all the best. 

It is difficult to make a general statement about wearing a bra after breast augmentation. If your implants are in good position, then it is a good idea to provide support to them in an effort to keep them in good position. Some surgeons avoid an underwire bra postoperatively to avoid pressure on the healing incision. I would ask your surgeon what he/she prefers and follow those instructions. Good luck! 
Phillip Dauwe, MD

Congratulations on your surgery! You will get many opinions on this question. In my office I want my patients to do with most comfortable. For the first week they typically go without a bra. For the next several weeks the wear a bra intermittently. I asked them to wait six weeks to wear a sports bra. Wearing a bra too much can prevent implants from properly settling into place.

I recommended that a patient who has undergone a Breast Augmentation surgery must wear a sports bra for at least 4 – 6 weeks post operation. The thick strap of the sports bra supports the inframammary fold of the breasts & keeps them in shape. 

Thank you for your question. There will likely be minimal effects from continuing to wear your sports bra. A sports bra just tends to compress the breasts. I like a full cup bra because it does help maintain shape.