Wearing a
If you do not wear a compression bra following breast implant placement or stop wearing it before your implant settles in a new shape and size, there is a high risk of your implants dislocating from their position.
Generally, you should wait at least six weeks before you switch to regular bras again. Don't underestimate your compression bra. It's not sexy, but it works to keep your breasts in place as you heal, helping speed the recovery process as well as ensure your results are the most natural-looking they can be.
It is critical that patients wear their supportive unwired medical bra at all times for the first 1 – 2 weeks after breast lift surgery. At this point, you may be able to sleep without a bra, though most patients find it more comfortable to continue wearing an unwired bra around the clock for several more weeks.
No matter if you're having breast reduction, breast enlargement, breast lift or any other kind of breast surgery, it's not uncommon to be advised to wear a compression bra for two to five weeks after surgery.
The ideal fit for a post-surgery bra should be snug but not tight. The best indicator that your bra fits correctly is that it's comfortable, and although you might feel some pressure, this isn't excessive or painful. Signs that your bra is too tight include: the straps or edges leaving marks on your skin.
A sports bra will keep the breasts in place while exercising, but it can be too restrictive when dealing with post-surgery recovery. The breasts can swell a little and a sports bra won't leave any room for this.
This can pose undue stress on your healing tissues or even cause complications like implant leakage or rupture after augmentation. Typically, most patients will be required to maintain this sleeping position for at least three to four weeks after surgery.
Sleeping on your side or stomach too soon after breast surgery – including breast reduction – can strain fresh incisions and force scars still in the process of healing to bleed or stretch. The excess pressure may also cause swelling and discomfort that can interfere with sleep.
Typically, a breast lift (medically referred to as mastopexy) reduces bra size by one cup. However, this is usually not the result of volume loss. When excess skin and sagging breast tissue are removed or repositioned, cup sizes are naturally reduced. For many women, this is a good thing.
The study queried these women five years after their surgeries, asking about their bra cup size before versus after breast lift surgery. Weight changes and other relevant factors were taken into consideration. The women reported an average decrease of approximately one cup size, for instance going from a D to a C.
Generally speaking, you shouldn't consider going braless for at least six weeks after breast augmentation. Your breasts need to be thoroughly supported during this time to ensure optimal healing. After six weeks, you may occasionally go braless, but try to keep this to special occasions, and don't make it a habit.
After surgery, the implants tend to ride hide and appear small due to the patient's skin tightness in the area. There is tightness because the implants increase dimension to breast tissue causing the skin to compress the implant's shape and size.
Two Weeks Post-Surgery
At this stage of the breast lift recovery, patients are generally cleared to engage in moderate physical activities. You may be able to perform light, low-impact cardio and other lower body exercises. Gentle arm exercises may also be appropriate.
Wear a compression garment or sports bra
Wearing a compression bra or sports bra following your surgery can help accelerate the healing process. These garments help to minimize swelling, improve blood flow in the area, provide support and comfort to the surgical site, and help to flush harmful fluids from the body.
In essence your bra strap should be very tight to pull your breast upward. For this reason we also recommend a wide shoulder strap bra as well as a wide strap at the bottom without an underwire.
We recommend our patients wear loose clothing that is easy to take off or put on. A simple zip-up hoodie or a flowing button-up blouse works perfectly for the first week. Zippers and buttons are key to easy on and easy off tops after breast surgery. For the majority of patients, you will receive a compression bra.
Your surgical bra should be snug but not too tight. You should be able to insert two fingers underneath.
In general, to benefit from a compression garment, it should fit snugly. It should never cause discomfort. Compression garments should reduce the throbbing pain associated with healing post-surgery and not cause any pain. If there is pain, you should stop wearing the garment immediately.
While sports bras have thin, often tight elastic inner bands that can easily impair lymphatic flow, Amoena compression bras have a particularly soft and wide underbust band for precisely this reason. In addition, sports bras do not cover the entire surgical area in which the patient can develop post-operative edema.
You can stop wearing the surgical bra after two weeks and wear a non-underwire, supportive one. This can also be worn for an extra two weeks for both night and day. You may avoid wearing a bra at night after four weeks from the date of your surgery.
In the first few days after a breast lift, take pain medication as recommended by your health care provider. Avoid straining, bending and lifting. Sleep on your back or your side to keep pressure off your breasts. Avoid sexual activity for at least 1 to 2 weeks after the breast lift.
Incisions typically fully heal around the 2-week mark and patients may be cleared to take baths. 4 Weeks Following Surgery: Most patients are healed enough to resume their normal exercise routine (however exercises and activities like golf, tennis, etc. that specifically target the chest should still be avoided).