Post Surgery: Can You Wear Underwire Bras After Implants?

If you’re planning on having breast augmentation chances are you’re anxious to wear a new bra, but you’ll need to wait until you’re fully healed. 

It will take time for your swelling to go down and for your breasts to settle into their new size. Many surgeons recommend that you avoid wearing an underwire bra for at least 6-8 weeks after having breast surgery. So what type of bra should you use and why?                                                                                

What is an underwire bra?

Before we get into bras that you should wear, let’s take a look at what exactly an underwire bra is. Underwire bras have a thin, semi-circular wire or piece of hard plastic that lines the bottom of each cup. Its purpose is to help shape, separate, support, and lift the breast tissue. 

Why would an underwire bra be harmful after implants?

An underwire bra can put pressure on the implants or the incision line if they’ve been placed via an inframammary incision.

This can cause irritation and interrupt healing. For implants that have been placed submuscular, wearing an underwire bra could cause the implants to be pushed upward in the case of a pectoralis major muscle spasm which is common after augmentation. 

To wear a bra, or not to wear a bra?

This question is debated among surgeons. Some recommend going without a bra for up to six weeks after surgery. Surgeons who advise patients not to wear a bra say it’s because the breasts need time to “settle” and a bra affects the final shape of the breasts. 

Others recommend that their patients wear a bra 24/7 during the healing process for support and comfort. Of course, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s guidelines as their directions will be tailored to you.

Immediately after surgery, you’ll need to wear a post-surgical bra for a period of time. A post-surgical bra is a type of compression bra that helps to reduce post-surgical complications, reduces the risk of edema, and helps to promote healing. 

It supports breast tissue while minimizing wound irritation. After the post-surgical bra, you’ll most likely transition to a wireless sports bra or a wireless support bra. 

Reasons to wear a wire-free sports or support bra include:

• Support: Your breast tissue should be firmly yet comfortably held in place while the swelling goes down and the implant settles.
• Shape: A sports bra will help the breasts retain their shape during the healing process. 
• Settling: After surgery, your breast will descend slightly as the swelling goes down and they settle into place. Wearing a good sports bra helps them to descend evenly.
• Movement: Keeping the breast tissue in place helps to reduce movement and helps to avoid discomfort while your body is healing.

What should I look for in a wire-free bra once I’m cleared to wear one after surgery?

There are several things that you want in your post-surgical bra, as well as some things that you’d don’t want.

• Look for a support bra or sports bra that has a front closure. This will allow you to put it on and take it off without excessive movement.
• Choose a bra with medium to high bounce control. You want to try and minimize movement as much as possible without too much compression.
• Make sure that it fits well. If it’s too big it won’t give you the support that you need.

A couple of our top post-surgery bra picks are:

The 360 SUPPORT FRONT-CLOSE POSTURE-BACK BRA. The MagicLift® design gives support and shape without the use of an underwire. It also has padded straps for comfort. 

The FRONT CLOSE WIRE-FREE SUPPORT BRA also utilizes the MagicLift® design for lift, shape, and support. The front hook-and-eye closure is adjustable and allows you to easily put it on and take it off. It also has wide, padded straps for comfort. 

After undergoing breast augmentation, it’s important to remember to follow your doctor's guidelines exactly. Don’t start wearing any type of bra until your doctor tells you to. 

While it may be tempting, don’t wear an underwire bra until you’re medically cleared to do so. You don’t want any complications that may disrupt the healing process. 

Once you’re ready to start shopping it’s a good idea to measure yourself to make sure that you’re wearing the correct size.