After breast augmentation surgery, you need a supportive bra to keep your breasts supported and comfortable as your body adjusts.
The right post-surgical bra is important not just for breast augmentation patients but also for anyone who has had a breast lift, breast implant removal, breast reduction or any other surgical procedure on their breasts.
Having the right bra can be the difference between a comfortable recovery process and an excruciating one, and it can also affect the end result. Without the right support, your breasts might start to sag, and if you have had breast implants, then these could shift into a less desirable position and remain there if they are not supported correctly following the procedure.
As such, choosing the right post-surgery bra is key to breast surgery recovery and is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
To help, Mr Pieri has answered some of the most common questions he gets asked about the best bras to wear post-op to help with the healing process.
What Types Of Bras Can You Wear Post Surgery?
Wearing the right bra after your surgery is important, but with so many bra designs to choose from, it can be daunting to select the right one.
Thankfully, there are two types of bra that you need for the recovery period. The first is a compression bra, which surgeons recommend you wear immediately after your breast augmentation surgery.
For the remainder of the healing process, you can wear a supportive sports bra, which will give you a little more comfort and freedom following the initial healing stage.
Compression Bras
Compression bras are vital for the period immediately after your breast surgery. As your breasts are still tender, compression bras provide support and gentle compression to minimise movement. A wireless bra is essential for this time, and you should look for one with thick straps to spread the weight of your new breasts and avoid cutting into your shoulders.
It’s recommended that you wear a compression bra immediately after your surgery to provide maximum support to your breasts. The right compression bra won’t irritate incisions and will provide the support you need. While compression bras are important for helping the body recover from breast surgery, they can be worn again once you’ve made a full recovery to support your breasts during high-impact exercise.
Sports Bras
After about a month following your surgery, once the swelling has gone down, you will be able to transfer from your post-surgical compression bra to a supportive sports bra. A sports bra doesn’t provide as much compression as a medical-grade compression bra, but it can give you full coverage and adequate support once the initial healing process is over.
Many sports bras are made from breathable fabric and don’t contain underwire, so they are ideal for wearing after breast surgery. Also, as sports bras are commonly worn during exercise or for days when underwire bras are too fiddly and uncomfortable, you can wear them even after you’ve recovered from your breast augmentation procedure.
What Size Bra Is Best After Breast Augmentation Surgery?
After breast augmentation, your breasts will be larger, so you will need to shop for new bras. You will need to buy your post-surgery bras before the procedure so that you have them to hand.
Bra sizes are split into two halves, band size and cup size. Band sizes are denoted by numbers referencing the number of inches that the band, or the bottom of the bra, needs to sit comfortably against your ribs. This measurement shouldn’t change much following breast augmentation, but if you have a breast lift as well then you might need to remeasure this in the future.
Cup sizes are represented as letters ranging from A to K and refer to the volume of your breasts. The cup size you need for your post-surgery bra will depend on the breast implant size you choose.
Generally speaking, for your medical-grade compression bra and sports bras for long-term recovery, you should choose a bra that is one above the cup size of your new breast implants. This will ensure that you account for any post-op swelling.
Once your body is fully healed, you can get your breasts measured to ensure that you find the perfect fit for your new everyday bras.
What Factors Should You Consider When Shopping For Post-Surgery Bras?
When shopping for breast surgery recovery bras, there’s a lot to consider. Some of the key factors to be aware of include:
- Comfort: Choose a bra with wide adjustable straps and breathable fabric, and avoid underwires or stiff materials.
- Ease Of Use: Lifting your arms high can be difficult following breast augmentation surgery, so try to find a front-fastening bra for the initial recovery period.
- Size: As mentioned above, make sure you choose a post-surgery bra that is around a cup size bigger than your new breasts to allow for swelling.
By focusing on these factors, you can find the best sports bras and compression bras to support you throughout the recovery process.
As you will need to wear a bra day and night for at least the first 6 weeks post-surgery, you should consider buying more than one of each bra you like to ensure you always have a spare ready.
When Can You Be Fitted For A New Everyday Bra?
Getting breast augmentation is exciting, and it’s tempting to rush out and order new bras straight away. However, it is advisable to wait until around 6 to 8 weeks post-surgery, when your body has almost completely healed and your breasts have assumed their final shape, to consider getting fitted for a bra you will wear regularly.
By this point in the recovery process, your body will be almost fully healed, and you will be able to consider an underwire bra that you can wear regularly. You should try to get professionally measured for your new size bra to make sure that it fits correctly and provides comfortable support to your new breasts.
What Post-Surgery Bras Does Mr Pieri Recommend?
Having conducted many breast augmentation procedures over the years, Mr Pieri has been asked for his recommendations for post-surgery bras by lots of women and has discussed this topic heavily with his patients. While there are many brands out there, Mr Pieri has received many glowing reviews of the LIPOELASTIC range.
He has been so impressed by this range that he has worked with the company to get an exclusive discount code for his patients. If you use the code PIERI10 at the checkout, you can enjoy 10% off these incredible bras. You can also get 10% off other post-surgery products, such as silicone gel to reduce scar tissue.
If you’d like further information on the best breast augmentation recovery bras or to book a consultation and start your breast augmentation journey, email [email protected] or call +447526556934.
