When Can You Start Wearing Underwire After Breast Augmentation?

In most cases implants have settled in 4-6 weeks and my patients can start wearing an underwire bra on a regular basis. But there is some variability and your doctor will advise you best but you will know too… Some women like a bit of a higher implant, with “pop at the top” and others, a little lower and fuller at the bottom. It’s total personal choice. So, when they look and feel right to you…it’s probably time for an underwire!!!

Hello! If your incision is under your breast fold I advise patients to wait 6 weeks if it is else where there is no restrictions. Each surgeon has their own post op protocols it is best you follow up with your surgeon for their specific protocols. 

Different surgeons will give their patients different advice on this and it is best to seek the advice of your treating doctor. In my practice I advise patients to wear a soft post-operative bra until the infra-mammary incision has healed which is usually 4 weeks. They can they change into a soft underwire bra - ideally nothing that irritates the incisions and nothing that pushes the implant up or displaces the implant position

My general advice is to wait one month prior to wearing an underwire bra.  (After a breast aug.)  But - the most important thing is for any garment to not rub against a new surgical wound.  So regardless of the surgery or incision  - do your best to avoid any friction or trauma to the incision until it is well healed! Best of luck.

I tell my patients that they can begin wearing an underwire bra around 6 weeks after breast augmentation. If their implants have completely dropped, then wearing an underwire should not be an issue. Some  women who have implants that have not completely dropped, will need to wait longer before wearing underwire. If you implants are still high, then you don't want to wear an underwire yet and be pushing the implants up when they are still needing to settle. It is best to ask your surgeon for their recommendations. 

I generally advise my patients that they can wear an under-wire bra from 6 weeks post-op.The reasons for this is quite simple. I don't want the "harshness" of an underwire pressing on a young surgical wound (most of my augmentations are done via an incision in the lower breast fold). This could potentially irritate the wound and compromise healing. Having said that, anytime from 3-4 weeks post-op the wound is typically well enough healed to put up with an underwire.However, it takes about 6 weeks before most of the swelling has gone so this is when patients are advised they should go out and invest in new well-fitted bras. This is therefore when they can/will wear underwire bras.

This is a very common question that I get from patients. Typically I advise my patients that it is safe to wear a underwire bra 4 weeks from the date of surgery. However, that can vary from surgeon to surgeon. I would recommend you talk to your Doctor and go by their recommendations. 

I would recommend following up with your operating surgeon to discuss when he/she is comfortable with the transition into an underwire bra.  This decision depends largely on how your healing and recovery is progressing.  Generally speaking, I typically allow my patients to being wearing an underwire bra 4-6 weeks after their breast augmentation.  For the first 4 weeks I request that my patients wear a light weight compression sports bra, which will not irritate the incisions and helps bring down post-operative swelling.  Hopefully after your breast augmentation an underwire, push up bra is no longer necessary.  

We generally avoid using underwire bras for six to eight
weeks following breast augmentation. There are two reasons for this approach.
First, when patients undergo sub muscular placement of breast implants, the
pectoralis major muscle may undergo spasm in the early postoperative period.
This may force the implant in an upward direction and lead to malposition. When
this situation arises, we utilize compression to force to the implant in a
downward direction. An underwire bra would have the opposite effect.

Another reason for avoiding underwire bras in the
immediate postoperative period is the potential for the bra to irritate a fresh
surgical incision. An inframammary incision would be directly beneath the
underwire and might lead to irritation of the incision. After six to eight
weeks, wound healing and muscle spasm should no longer be an issue. In most
breast augmentation patients, it’s reasonable to resume
the use of underwire bras at this time. 

I typically allow the patients to wear a bra without a wire at 1 month.  After 2 months they can wear a bra with a wire if they choose.

You should probably talk to your surgeon to find out why they recommended that you wear an underwire bra. Generally, I recommend patients avoid wearing underwire bras for the first two months following surgery because they can cause complications like irritation of your incision lines and displacement. For advice suited to your situation, however, please ask your surgeon.