“When can I stop wearing a surgical bra after breast augmentation?”
I had breast augmentation 2 weeks ago. I still wear a surgical bra. When can I stop wearing a surgical bra after breast augmentation?
3 Answers
I generally recommend a 6 week course of support.
Generally, I counsel my breast augmentation patients to keep up with surgical bra wear for the first two (2) weeks postoperatively. Thereafter, I encourage them to transition to regular underwire bra use. If there are ANY healing issues whatsoever with the incisions, which are typically along the breast folds, then I might delay that protocol weekly until the incisions are completely sealed.
Once patients are further along in their recovery, say 4-6 weeks' postop, I generally allow them to be out of a bra at night, but I still strongly advise continuous daytime use until they are sufficiently healed, as long as three (3) months' postop.
Other variables that play a role in bra use include the integrity of the soft tissues supporting those implants, and the implant size/volume. I strive to advise my patients that the bra is akin to a 'cast' or a 'splint', similar to what you would use to recover from a broken bone. You don't want to stop wearing your cast (bra) prematurely and risk bottoming out of the implants, or worse!
Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery
Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097
Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/
Once patients are further along in their recovery, say 4-6 weeks' postop, I generally allow them to be out of a bra at night, but I still strongly advise continuous daytime use until they are sufficiently healed, as long as three (3) months' postop.
Other variables that play a role in bra use include the integrity of the soft tissues supporting those implants, and the implant size/volume. I strive to advise my patients that the bra is akin to a 'cast' or a 'splint', similar to what you would use to recover from a broken bone. You don't want to stop wearing your cast (bra) prematurely and risk bottoming out of the implants, or worse!
Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery
Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC
11459 Johns Creek Parkway
Suite 240
Johns Creek, GA 30097
Office 470-395-6932
Fax 470-395-6951
https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/
Hi! Every surgeon has different protocols. It is important to discuss this question with the surgeon who performed your procedure. I typically ask patients to wear a supportive bra for 6 weeks after breast augmentation. This does not have to be the surgical bra provided on the day of surgery - it can be a sports bra or other supporting bra you pick ourselves. Depending on the position of the incision, you may want to avoid a bra with an under-wire. You do not want anything to dig into your incisions while they are healing. The support of a bra helps keep the implant in place while the pocket is healing, which roughly takes 6 weeks. The day after surgery, you can take breaks from wearing your bra to shower and dry yourself. I hope this helps!
