The Basics of Choosing a Bra after Breast Augmentation

There are a number of things you will need after your breast augmentation surgery to ensure a smooth recovery and the right bra is one of them.

Along with choosing the right post-surgical bra, there are a few other things to keep in mind before you rush out to buy new bras.

Choosing a Post-Surgical Bra

You want to feel as comfortable as you can after your breast augmentation procedure, something that an underwire bra won’t be able to offer you.

Post-surgical bras are designed to be super comfortable and help you avoid complications such as implant shifting, swelling, and skin stretching. Since a post-operative bra is designed to reduce swelling, it can help speed up your recovery time too.

Most post-surgical bras include pouches that make it easier to manage the drainage tubes that are inserted after your surgery. You will need to wear this bra 24 hours a day after your breast enlargement until your doctor gives you the go-ahead to wear regular bras.

According to Make Mom Over, you should remove it to take your shower but put it on right away after you get out. Before you buy a post-surgical bra, make sure that it doesn’t have any underwire, the fabric is breathable and the straps adjustable. There also shouldn’t be any additional pressure when you wear it.

Here are some of the post-surgical bra options that you can choose from:

Sports Bras

If you spend a lot of time being active, you probably already have a sports bra at home. If you would like to wear one of your existing sports bras, find out from your surgeon whether it will provide enough compression.

Front-Closure Bras

This generic post-surgical bra will give you easy access to the hooks that keep it fastened. The fabric is stretchy and the straps can easily be adjusted too.

Compression Vests 

This vest is very similar to the front-closure bra but it provides support all the way down to the waist.

Tips for Buying Bras after Breast Enlargement Surgery

Once your doctor has determined that you can stop wearing a compression garment, you can start thinking about buying new bras. However, there are a few guidelines that you should follow to ensure you’re choosing the right bras.

Don’t rush your purchase

It’s totally understandable that you will want to buy as many new bras as you can after your surgery but rushing this purchase isn’t always a good idea. The average breast augmentation patient will require three to six weeks to recover from their procedure but this doesn’t mean that swelling and discomfort won’t continue after this period. Instead of just buying new push-up bras, you may still want to opt for bras that provide you with the right support.

Get professionally fitted 

You probably have a good idea of what your new bra size will be but it’s still a good idea to rather get professionally fitted. Wearing the correct size bra will provide you with the appropriate support and make you feel comfortable and confident. A fitting specialist may even be able to suggest different styles that will complement your new breasts.

Don’t go too expensive too soon

Before you fork out money for a bra you’ve been eyeing out for months, you may want to give your breasts time to settle. Most surgeons recommend waiting at least 6 months before you make any big bra purchases. This is because there will still be some residual swelling up until this point. A bra that fits you well after 6 weeks may fit you very differently a few months later, so don’t spend too much on new bras if you want to avoid disappointment.