Do I Still Need to Wear a Bra After Breast Implant Surgery?

Yes! Many surgeons recommend patients wear a bra after breast augmentation, at least for the first six weeks after surgery. While some may prefer to go braless when dressed in cocktail dresses, avoiding a bra during the healing period is not recommended. Bras offer support to the breast, enhancing healing and reducing the risk of complications like malposition.

Breast implants can significantly alter the shape and size of the breasts. This makes individuals wonder about the importance of ongoing bra support. Herein we will explore the post-operative guidelines regarding bra usage after breast implants. We’ll also provide insights on how it can impact healing, comfort, and long-term breast health.

Why Do You Need to Wear a Bra After Breast Implants?

Two main forces are acting on the breast and implant. The main force is gravity which causes the implant’s downward movement, which can cause breast sagging. The second force is arm movement which may cause implant rotation, causing abnormal appearance. These forces will cause more effect during the recovery period after breast surgery, making it crucial to wear a supportive bra.

Bras are effective in supporting the breast and protecting the incisions from injury. They also help ensure the breast implants are in the correct position and not moving around before full recovery after breast augmentation of breast lift. This reduces the risk of malposition, damage to the implants, and on rare occasions, capsular contracture.

Wearing a bra after breast surgery also helps to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Most surgeons recommend wearing the bra throughout the breast augmentation recovery period. However, you can take off the bra briefly when showering or cleaning. Generally speaking, the primary reason for wearing a bra after breast surgery is to enhance recovery and prevent the breast from complications.

What Happens If You Don’t Wear a Bra Before Full Recovery After Breast Surgery?

It may increase the risk of implant malposition, and the breast may not settle into the expected size and shape, affecting the final appearance. In addition, there’s an increased risk of swelling, and the incision wound may take longer to heal.

Types of Bras to Wear After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Recovery after breast augmentation varies in different women. During the first week after breast surgery, the breast is sore. The surgeon will cover the incision with bandages and a compression bra. Most of the pain and swelling will be gone by the third week. However, as aforementioned, it takes- around six-eight weeks for the complete healing. The time taken for recovery depends on several factors. These include:

• Breast augmentation technique used
• Type of breast implant
• Incision location
• Patient’s overall health

Bras are used as support garments to hold the implants in place during recovery, promoting healing. Different types of bras are essential for different healing stages after breast surgery. The surgeon will recommend wearing a support garment for at least the first two weeks after surgery. There are stages one and two support garments.

Stage One Garments

These are essential in the immediate phase after surgery for about two-four weeks. They allow drainage of excess fluids from the breast to the lymphatic system, reducing bruising and swelling. These garments mostly contain a front fastening for effortless opening without moving your arms. The patient should always wear stage one garments and only take them off for cleaning or showering.

Stage Two Garments

These garments are necessary after the body stops producing excess fluid during recovery. They are comfortable and provide support to the breast. These are primarily compressive sports bras. Stage two garments are crucial for long-term recovery; the patient should wear them until complete recovery. Unlike stage one garments, the patient can take off stage two garments occasionally.

Choosing the right bra is crucial for post-operative recovery. The bra should be breathable, comfortable, with adjustable straps, and made from a material with antibacterial properties. Below are some common support garments for the recovery phases after breast augmentation.

• Compression Bra: this bra is softer than regular bras, protecting the incisions. It provides compression and stability to the breasts, reducing movement.
• Front-closure Bra: These close at the front and are comfortable to open and close without strained hand movement. They provide support and compression to the new breasts, optimising healing.
• Underwire-free Bra: Underwire bras are great for support compared to other bras. However, they may cause harm during recovery after breast surgery because the wire may irritate the incisions. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid underwire bras as much as possible until you heal completely.
• Bras with Thick Bands and Adjustable Straps: During recovery, the breasts may swell, requiring the patient to adjust the straps. Front-adjustable straps are easily adjustable without taking off the bra. Thick bands provide additional support to the breasts.

After healing, the patient can start wearing standard soft bra types.

Advantages of Wearing a Compression Garment

Wearing a compression garment after breast surgery helps in:

• Reduction of swelling – Swelling occurs after breast surgery due to fluid build-up around the breast. Compression garments pressure the breast tissue and help in excess fluid drainage, reducing swelling.
• Reduction of bruising – Bruising occurs when blood vessels get manipulated during breast surgery. A compression garment reduces bruising by compressing the blood vessels around the incision, preventing blood from pooling around the damaged area.
• Promotion of blood circulation – Compression garments contain materials that promote blood circulation. This helps in reducing pain and inflammation.
• Reduction of breast sagging – Post-operative sagging is typical after breast surgery. Compression garments compress the skin until the implant settles fully in the breast pocket. The garments also support the breasts, reducing the effect of gravity.
• The compression garment is a physical barrier, protecting the breasts and the incision wound from infections.
• Promotion of post-operative comfort to the breast implants
• Reduction of the risk of keloid by softening and breaking down excess scar tissue of the incision wound
• Reduction of complications like DVT and clot formation associated with poor blood circulation by squeezing the peripheral blood vessels promoting blood circulation
• Maintaining the new breast shape and size after breast surgery
• Supporting excess skin tissue left after liposuction in gynecomastia surgery, reducing breast sagging and promoting recovery

After How Long Can I Go Braless?

You can consider going braless after recovering fully. Full recovery in many patients varies between six-eight weeks after the procedure or longer. You should not go braless for at least six weeks after surgery. Surgeons recommend that you go braless only on special occasions because the support offered by the bra is crucial in preventing breast sagging even after recovery.

However, even after complete recovery, you should wear a bra when doing strenuous activities or exercising. In addition, you should consult your specialist surgeon before deciding whether to go braless.

Can Breast Still Sag After Recovery from Breast Surgery?

Breast ptosis, or sagging, can result from age, breast size, bra-wearing habits, or genetics. All breasts are subject to gravity force, regardless of surgery. Gravity is among the common factors causing breast sagging.

Having breast implants increases the effects of gravity on the breasts due to increased breast volume and size. Therefore, there’s still a risk of breast sagging after full recovery following the breast augmentation procedure.

Should I Wear a Bra When Sleeping?

After breast surgery, the surgeon wraps the breasts in a soft dressing. The dressing is removed and replaced with a soft surgical or sports bra. Wearing a bra while sleeping helps provide comfort for a restful sleep, minimising implant movement and providing protection to the incision, among others. This is more helpful to many women with large breast implants.

The surgical bra is worn continuously for at least one to two weeks. This includes days and nights. After two weeks, the patient can transition to a different type of bra. However, the bra should help in optimising breast surgery results. After at least six weeks, the patient can decide whether to wear the bra at night.

Choosing the Right Bra After Breast Implants Recovery

Choosing the right bra to wear after breast augmentation is significant. This is because the breast size may change in the proceeding months. There are also several factors to consider before settling for the right bra.

• Try out different bra sizes and styles
• Try different bra materials
• Wait until the swelling is entirely gone
• Ensure the straps are comfortable

You should consult a professional bra fitter to get the right bra for the best results. Don’t invest in expensive bras in the first months after breast surgery.

When choosing a bra after the procedure, you need to avoid pushup bras because they move the breast tissue, moving the implants in return.

FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions about wearing a bra after breast surgery.

How Long Should I Wear a Compression Bra?

Most plastic surgeons recommend wearing compression bras for the first six weeks after breast augmentation. The bra is comfortable and designed to accelerate healing during the first few weeks after surgery. However, wearing the bra longer will help protect the breasts.

Why Should I Wear a Bra After Breast Implants?

A bra provides the breasts with the required support, protection, and compression. This promotes proper healing and prevents the breasts from infections and other breast surgery-related complications.

Should I Wait Until I Heal Before Purchasing New Bras?

Despite being able to wear bras after six-eight weeks, breast augmentation patients should wait for at least three months before purchasing new bras. This will allow the breasts to settle into their final size.

Does Taking Off the Compression Bra for a Few Hours Affect the Implants?

In most cases, removing the surgical bra during the recovery period doesn’t affect the healing. However, you should consult your surgeon before taking the bra off.

Should a Compression Bra be Tight?

A compression bra shouldn’t be tight. It should provide the necessary support and pressure but remain comfortable. If a compression bra is too tight, it may harm the breasts.

Conclusion

So, do I still need to wear a bra after breast implant surge? Specialist surgeons will recommend a patient wear a bra during the initial six-week healing period. While it may be tempting to go braless for special occasions, it is essential to prioritise the support a bra provides during this crucial phase.

Bra support does more than enhance healing since it helps minimise the risk of complications such as malposition. With breast implants significantly impacting the shape and size of the breasts, understanding the role of bras in post-operative care is essential.

References

1. Nathan, B., & Singh, S. (2001b). Postoperative Compression After Breast Augmentation. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 25(4), 290–291.
2. Kim, Y., Kim, Y. S., & Cheon, Y. K. (2014a). Prevention of Implant Malposition in Inframammary Augmentation Mammaplasty. Archives of Plastic Surgery, 41(04), 407–413.
3. Pechter, E. (2009). Method for Determining Bra Size and Predicting Postaugmentation Breast Size. In: Shiffman, M. (eds) Breast Augmentation. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. 
4. Çomçalı, B., Kocaöz, S., Özdemir, B. A., Parlak, Ö., & Korukluoğlu, B. (2021). Effects of sagging breasts and other risk factors associated with mastalgia: a case–control study. Scientific Reports, 11(1).