How To Choose Best Bra After Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to increase the size of breasts with saline or silicone implants. It is most frequently considered by women who have lost breast volume as a result of aging, pregnancy, or weight loss, those with one breast that is noticeably larger, and women with smaller natural breasts than what they wish. One of the more exciting moments following breast augmentation is shopping for the new bras.

Breast augmentation is a surgery that does not only alter the size of the breasts but will also affect the type and size of bra you will need to wear after the procedure. Breast implant surgery can produce a significant increase in the size of your breasts, which will make your existing bras no longer suitable

Finding the best bra after breast augmentation can be challenging, but it does not have to be if several simple points are kept in mind. Many women have questions about how long they should wait until they can wear something more feminine than a sports bra. Fortunately, there is more than one best bra after breast augmentation, but it is important to choose the most suitable for the postoperative recovery phase.

After your surgery, you will generally be advised to wear a compression garment, also known as a post-surgical bra, to be more comfortable and avoid complications such as excessive swelling, stretching skin, implants shifting, seromas, and lymphedemas.

The First Bra After Surgery

Immediately after breast augmentation, the breasts become swollen and tender, necessitating appropriate post-surgery care and requiring a medical compression bra, also known as a surgical bra. This bra is specially made with high-quality materials, designed to support breasts as the tissues recover and provide light compression to promote optimal healing. Surgical bras often open and close in the front, making them easier to put on and take off, especially when experiencing soreness in arms, shoulders, and chest after augmentation.

During the initial recovery period, you have to wear the post-surgical bras 24 hours a day. Thus, it is important to ensure your post-surgical bra has the following features:

oBreathable fabric

oAdjustable straps

oNo underwire

Post-surgical bras will come in a range of designs, sizes and fabrics, some of which are as follows: 

oFront-closure bras, which are the generic type of post-surgical bras, allowing you easy access to the hooks and loops by adjustable straps and bands.

oSports bras, which may have been already worn by many women. However, for post-augmentation purposes, these bras should provide sufficient compression and lack an underwire.

oCompression vests, which is similar to the front-closure type, but extends more down the west and is used when the patients undergo the inflammatory surgical procedure. 

oLycra bras are made of stretchy materials like spandex, providing comfort to the breast by expanding to fit your breasts while keeping your body shape. 

oLe Mystere no. 9 is a brand of bras especially designed for women with breast implants to complement shape and size of implants.

oT-shirt and contour bras provide light padding which conceals the pointed nipples while providing comfort to the breast area and reducing the risk of their exposure.

oPlunge bras are also a good option for implants because they have a shorter underwire and thus fit more easily. The good fit also enhances the firmness and fullness of your breasts.

Wearing a Bra during Breast Augmentation Recovery

There are certainly some limitations on the kind of bra you can wear immediately after your surgery. It is generally recommended to wear sports or special support bras when you go through your breast surgery healing process. If the bra feels too tight, it can be removed for a little while to let the breasts settle before trying again. 

Underwire bras should be particularly avoided during this period because implants will require some time to settle into place after augmentation. In these conditions, any improper or excessive pressure can affect the final shape of the new breasts, possibly necessitating surgical intervention for further modifications.  

To obtain the desired results, make sure you wear the right kind of bra your surgeon recommends until you are allowed to go shopping for some nicer ones as you wish.

The Best Bra Following Breast Augmentation Recovery

All breast surgery patients heal at different rates, so there is no standard timeline for when they can have a transition from sports to feminine underwire bras, making them feel more beautiful and enabling them show off their new breasts. However, as care after breast augmentation requires, it is necessary to select bras with excellent support to prevent the implants from dropping too low and keep them looking just right for years.

 The most important point to keep in mind is that your surgeon is your best friend, understanding your surgery, your recovery, and your conditions. Thus, following the surgeon's instructions is the most essential task every patient should be committed to.

You need to keep these features in mind when trying to find the best bra after breast augmentation:

•Shop for bras without underwires to prevent irritation of incisions and interference with healing. 

•Select bras with a front clasp, enabling you to take them on and off without too much movement or stretching. 

•Choose the best-fitting bras with excellent support. 

How to Decide on Suitable Bras Post-Breast Augmentation?

Finding the right size and style of bra is an important issue when you want to start wearing regular bras again after breast surgery. To avoid the adverse effects of wearing an ill-fitting or incorrectly sized bras, several points need consideration for due breast care post augmentation.

Buying the Right Size Bra 

Cup size is an essential factor to consider because of the fluctuation in the breast size in the first weeks after breast augmentation surgery. Thus, the bras should be bought gradually over several months, as the results of surgery develop over time by settling the implants into place and subsidence of the swelling.

Finding out Breast Size

The breast size can be determined by referring to those skilled in breast measurement or personally doing it on your own through the following steps:

1.Use a tape measure to measure your band size by wrapping the tape around your breasts and extending beneath the breast cups. Write down your measurement, rounding to the nearest whole number. Now we’ll calculate your exact band measurement. If your number is even, add four inches. If it’s an odd number, add five inches.

2.You can also measure your bust size by wrapping the tape around the fullest part of your breasts, where the tape goes over the nipples. Hold the measuring tape horizontally around the fullest part of your breasts. The difference between your torso measurement number and your breast measurement will give you an approximation of your cup size.

Paying Attention to Breast Size Settlement

Breast size is settled when the swelling goes away and the implants are in position. Patients may go through different recovery periods, with some experiencing more swelling than others. However, the swelling usually subsides within six weeks, when it is possible to find out the final breast size.

After complete healing and the permission of the surgeon, you can begin searching for bras that show your style and newly enhanced bust. However, keep in mind that it can take three to four months (or even longer for some women) until swelling is completely subsided and your breast size is fixed. The most logical work is to buy one or two new bras to begin with and wait for the big moment.

Breast Remeasurement

Although you may have wished a certain breast volume by the plastic surgery, breast remeasurement is very important before shopping for new bras. This is because while the band size remains the same in the pre- and post-surgery, the cup size will certainly change, affecting your purchase.

As mentioned above, your bra size could change as your breasts heal and settle, so measure every time you buy a new bra using the formula given before.

Paying Attention to the Band Size

The size of the bra you need can be determined by the band size. It is possible to calculate your band size by measuring your under-burst (in inches) and adding 4 if it is an even number and 5 if it is an odd number.

Important tips to consider for a post-augmentation bra purchase

You can wear new bras that fit your new breast size and give you a deeper sense of beauty after passing through the recovery phase. However, you have to consider several important points to ensure the best and most appropriate purchase.

Wait long enough post-surgery: The recovery period takes several weeks, after which you still may experience some swelling or discomfort. Thus, don’t rush to buy your favorite bra as your breasts may still need support, requiring surgical rather than push-up bras or those with an underwire.

Consider the correct size: It may be a good idea to get professionally fitted before purchasing a new bra after augmentation, ensuring that you are wearing the correct size bra. 

Avoid buying the most expensive bra: As swelling may last for several months, it is recommended to wait a few months until the swelling goes away because the purchased bras may not fit properly at the six-month point.

Treat your bras with care: It’s a good idea to buy several bras to extend their life. You should launder your bras as explained by the manufacturer’s directions or wash by hand for best results.

What to Avoid When Shopping for a Breast Augmentation Bra?

Wearing underwired bras is strongly prohibited before the breasts heal from the implant procedure due to the potential complications they may cause. Underwired bras may traumatize incisions for women with the inframammary approach to insert breast implants, resulting in wound breakdown or potential excessive scarring. 

Push-up bras should be also avoided as they may affect the position of the breast, resulting in undesired movement of breast implants, irritating the skin incisions, and causing various complications. 

It is strongly recommended to avoid guessing the bra size because it may lead to differences with the actual size and further problems with the new breasts. It is recommended to refer to a professional bra fitter to measure your breasts before shopping for new bras, ensuring the appropriate support your breasts require to enhance their appearance.

The Importance of a Good-Fitting Bra After Breast Augmentation 

Although there are many advantages to a good-fitting bra, many women wear the wrong size bra. The main benefits of a good-fitting bra are as follows:

1.Giving you more confidence

2.Reducing premature sagging 

3.Reducing back pain 

4.Improving posture 

When you’re active or running after breast surgery, the continuous movements of the breasts can be uncomfortable and even lead to sagging breasts and soreness. Therefore, it’s important to wear a comfortable and safe bra when you are doing exercise regardless of the size of your breasts. 

How to Care for Your Bra After Breast Augmentation

The breasts will reach their final position, size, and shape after your recovery from the surgery. The results of the surgery will be more evident in the long term if you wear a suitable type and size of the bra.

It is essential to avoid wearing the same bra for two consecutive days because the elastic material loses its firmness and fails to provide the required support for the breasts. Also, wear the bra on the largest hook to tighten over time as the bra loses its initial elasticity.  

Remember that you can help maintain your bras’ longevity by washing them with cold water on a delicate fabric cycle. Never put your bras in a tumble dryer because the heat will reduce the bra’s elasticity.

Final Recommendations

Bras Just for You

Some bra brands design bras specifically for women undergoing breast augmentation. These bras offer appropriate care after breast augmentation, including flattering cuts, special fabrics, and shorter underwires ideal for women with implants.

Underwire: Allowed or Prohibited?

Underwire bras provide a lot of support for your new larger and heavier breasts, but standard bras with underwires do not always fit enhanced breasts well. Generally, surgeons recommend completely avoiding underwires until your breasts are recovered from the surgery to avoid irritations.

Nipple Alert

Many women report increased nipple sensitivity and permanently erecting nipples after implants. To avoid such complications, you can use bras with padding or consider nipple covers.

Support Yourself

Choose suitable supportive bras that distribute the weight of your new bras evenly across your chest, back, and shoulders. Never participate in athletic activities without a supportive sports bra.

The Bottom Line

After breast surgery, the breast size will likely be different, making it necessary to find the right bra size after breast augmentation. Although this is a hard question to answer and the results differ from one patient to another, the important point is to consider wearing a good-fitting bra no matter your size. 

Overall, finding the right size bra for breast implants involves two main steps of correct breast size measurement and shopping around to find the right brand and styles that suit you best. The above-mentioned tips can help you on your way towards finding the right bra size for your implants.