A surgical bra is one that is typically made out of high quality fabrics with no dye, wires, or excessive trim. The typical surgical bra will provide 24×7 support to the breasts as the tissues recover, and in some instances, light compression. The bra's design allows it to be worn all day with comfort.
Following reconstructive surgery, wider straps and underbands can offer additional support during healing and beyond. Post-surgery bras also typically have a higher centre fronts and underarms, this can help to cover any scarring or unevenness following a reconstruction.
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.
A postsurgery bra should provide compression and support to the breasts, although it should not be too tight or uncomfortable to wear. A postsurgery or compression bra will help individuals recover from many kinds of breast surgery.
Not wearing a surgical bra will extend the healing process and may create critical problems, such as bruising, different shape of each breast or poor adhesion of connective tissue, which can lead to a variety of aesthetic defects, and so on.
Your surgical bra should be snug but not too tight. You should be able to insert two fingers underneath.
You usually don't need to wear a bra during surgery because you'll have the hospital gown and a surgical drape over your chest. You may want to invest in a bra that's easy to put on and remove if you're getting arm or shoulder surgery.
Typically, most patients will be required to wear a compression bra during their initial part of recovery (two weeks after surgery). At that point, you can switch to a compression sports bra but make sure to avoid anything with an underwire. This can be worn for another two weeks, day and night.
As far as wearing the bra to bed at night, that is optional. If the patient has undergone a reshaping of an existing scar tissue pocket at the time of the breast surgery, however, we advise that the bra be worn for six weeks at night while sleeping.
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.
In general, most women are able to wear bras 4-6 weeks after breast augmentation. That being said, Dr. Pozner recommends waiting approximately three months before spending a lot of money on new bras.
Women who plan to have any type of breast or chest surgery or procedure will benefit from wearing a post-surgical bra. Post-surgery bras are an important step in the healing process. The chest area is stabilized and kept free from infection.
Once the skin in the chest area has healed and settled down, which may take up to a year, you can wear any bra. However, if you're planning to wear a prosthesis (an artificial breast form that replaces the shape or all or part of the breast), your bra will need to fit well and have enough support for your prosthesis.
You will see very little side or bottom rounding of the breasts, often looking square, with little outward projection and minimal bottom fullness. Have no fear! This is all normal. At this stage of augmentation recovery, you still have swelling and may even experience mild to moderate bruising.
You can remove your bra when you shower. Don't wear a bra that has an underwire while your incisions are healing. You'll get a prescription for pain medication to help manage your pain after surgery. Constipation (www.mskcc.org/pe/constipation).
'Drop' refers to the breast implants settling into a more natural position as the muscles relax and any swelling and inflammation subside. The 'fluff' describes how the implants fill the lower pole of the breast as this relaxation occurs and appear softer and fuller like newly-plumped cushions.
You should be wearing your post-op bra day and night during this time frame, only removing it to wash (yourself and the bra). MYA recommends buying two bras, so you can wear one while the other is in the wash!
On the day of surgery, you may be asked to arrive several hours before your procedure is scheduled to begin. This allows the staff to complete any tests that cannot be performed until the day of surgery.
Hospital gowns with an open back are designed to allow medical staff easy access to whichever part of the patient is required.
Compression garments like post-operative bras aid in the healing process by preventing excessive swelling while also removing strain on stitches and limiting bruising after surgery.
For the first 4 – 6 weeks following a breast augmentation, patients should be wearing a supportive medical bra around the clock, including while sleeping, to promote proper healing and provide added support. After this time, it may be safe and appropriate to begin wearing a soft, supportive bra of your own.
What happens if you don't wear compression garments after breast surgery? 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.
Some surgeons say not to wear a bra at first because the implants need time to 'settle in. ' A bra, no matter the type, will alter the shape and position of the breasts somewhat. Pressure from your bra offers support and increases comfort, but it can change the final appearance of the breasts.