Why do you have to wear a compression bra after breast reduction? It’s the same reason why you need a cast when you break a leg. It’s to hold things together so you heal properly. It also helps reduce swelling and improve blood circulation.
Do I need a special bra after breast reduction? You probably will. Talk to your doctor about what they recommend. The best bra after breast reduction surgery for you might be different than what someone else wears.
What is the best bra after breast reduction surgery?
A supportive bra is crucial for post-operative care. Instead of buying bras after a breast reduction, ask your care team ahead of time what they suggest.
For example, they can tell you if you should order your regular bra size or something smaller. Obviously, after a reduction, you’d think that it would be smaller. But just confirm it so that you don’t spend money on something you won’t use.
Also, the bra that you wear immediately post-surgery might be different from what you wear after the first week. Find out how long you’ll need to use a post-surgical bra. Ask about the features you’ll want to look for while bra shopping.
Finally, ask whether you can wear a less restrictive bra while sleeping.
What happens after breast reduction surgery?
According to the Mayo Clinic, immediately after surgery, you’ll be bandaged and dressed in a surgical bra (1).
The surgical bra should help with the swelling and tenderness as it supports and protects the breasts. You’ll probably have drainage tubes, and the bra will help keep those in place.
The amount of activity you can do will be limited for at least a month as the chest heals. During those weeks, you’ll need to wear an approved surgical bra at all times, even while sleeping.
These are the times when you’ll need a special post-surgery bra
This article discusses the best bra to wear after breast reduction surgery. But you may also need a post-surgical bra if you’ve had breast augmentation surgery, a breast lift, a mastectomy, breast reconstruction, or open heart surgery.
How many cup sizes down do you go after a breast reduction?
When you plan the surgery with your doctor, you’ll discuss how many cup sizes the breast reduction will accomplish.
Although immediately after surgery you may be larger than the target size, your bust should diminish as it heals.
What should I wear post-op after a breast reduction?
Please talk to your healthcare provider about their recommendations for post-surgical bras. If this article helps you find a bra you’d like to wear, show it to them and get their opinion.
What are the benefits of wearing a post surgery bra?
Just like a cast, a post-operative bra helps the tissue heal more rapidly. It improves blood circulation to reduce inflammation and protects against abrasion and infection.
Remember that you’ll have bandages that will need changing. There’s a good likelihood that you’ll have drainage tubes, too. That’s why post-surgical bras have a front closure for easy access.
You’ll be limited as to how far you can lift your arms and how much weight you can carry. It’s essential to have a comfortable bra that not only compresses the tissue but also provides adequate support.
How tight should a sports bra be after breast reduction?
Hold your horses. Before you start working out, you need your doctor’s approval. It’s going to be a few weeks after surgery. Even then, you might feel very uncomfortable wearing a typical sports bra. They tend to be quite restrictive to minimize bounce and they might put too much pressure on the incisions.
Instead, when you return to physical activity, see if you can tolerate the post-surgery bra. And please, take it slow so that you heal properly. You’ll thank yourself later.
When can I wear a normal bra after breast reduction?
The average recovery time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks. However, you may not feel up to wearing a normal bra for months after that. If you’ve ever had surgery before, you might have felt how sensitive a scar feels. A regular bra might feel too tight or might dig into the skin.
Use this time to shop for a comfortable bra with a wide band and wide straps to distribute the pressure better. It may not look sensual, but it’s hard to feel sexy if you’re hurting, anyway.
If you’ve had a significant reduction, you might enjoy wearing a bralette instead. It’s a less structured garment. Bralettes are lightweight and usually available in a wide range of colors and designs.
What is the best bra to wear after breast reduction?
Let’s talk about features of the best post-surgery bra.
- Front closure, either hook and eye or zipper
- Soft fabric that’s breathable and wicks away moisture
- Controlled compression
- Wireless (no underwire)
- Adjustable straps (more so than the regular bra)
- Supportive cups and band
- Long line design (longer bra, looks more like a crop top)
Remember that this bra will be your temporary new best friend. It’s worth it to spend a little more and get two so that you can wash one and wear one.
When can you take off a surgical bra?
Please talk to your doctor about when you can remove the surgical bra. Chances are you’ll be wearing it 24/7. But that’s okay because it will help you heal faster.
Is a post-surgical bra needed for sleeping?
Yes, you’ll be sleeping in your bra for a few weeks. That’s all the more reason to get the most comfortable bra you can. Here are our suggestions for the best bra after breast reduction surgery:
| Best post-op bras after breast reduction surgery | Highlights |
|---|---|
| BRABIC Front Closure Bra |
|
| Burvogue Post-Surgery Front Closure Brassiere |
|
| Annette Post-Surgical Longline Recovery-Sleep Bra |
|
| CAREFIX Sophia Post-Op Compression Surgical Vest #3342 by TYTEX |
|
| Amoena Emilia Seamless Post-Surgical Pocketed Bra |
|
Best Bra After Breast Reduction Surgery in 2024
BRABIC Front Closure Bra
This popular post-surgical bra ticks all the boxes. It’s made of an extra-soft polyester/nylon blend. The fabric is lightweight and seamless to prevent chafing. It has just a touch of stretchy elastane to keep it comfortable, yet it provides excellent support.
It has a front hook and eye closure. Unfortunately, there are a lot of little hooks to do up. Plus, there’s an extra breast support band that goes over the top. If you don’t need/want to use it, you can secure it behind your back.
The bra is designed for cup sizes from A to D. Thankfully, it’s very adjustable, from the shoulder straps to the front closure and the breast band.
Burvogue Post-Surgery Front Closure Brassiere
A reviewer said that this bra feels like “a cloud is hugging you”. That got our attention right away.
The adjustable straps and closure help it accommodate swelling. Also, unlike some post-surgical bras, it’s cut lower on the sides and doesn’t dig into the armpits. The sides are padded although the cups are not.
The wide bottom band distributes pressure to avoid irritating stitches. At the same time, the crisscross back provides excellent support. No wonder people keep this as a sports bra!
Annette Post-Surgical Front Close Longline Recovery-Sleep Bra
Can you wear a bralette after breast reduction? Probably, but maybe not right after surgery. In the meantime, as you recover, a supportive sleeping bra like this one is comfy. Nevertheless, this particular model might be too lightweight and stretchy for the first while after surgery.
Reviewers say the smooth nylon/spandex fabric doesn’t press on incisions. The front closure makes it easy to put on and remove. Although the bra runs a little small, it’s designed to provide compression. That’s why you might keep it after recovery to use as a sports bra.
Lastly, it’s machine-washable.
CAREFIX Sophia Front Close Post-Op Compression Surgical Vest #3342 by TYTEX
For some reason, this one reminds us of a bulletproof vest. It’s about the size of a crop top, making it a longline bra.
It has padded, adjustable straps that are nice and wide. They stay put while they take pressure off the shoulders.
Then, it has a zippered front closure. That’s much easier to manage than all those little hooks on the other bras above. But it also means you’ll need to measure carefully to get the right size as there’s no way to adjust the band.
The microfiber fabric is a polyamide/elastane blend used in high-performance athletic clothing. It’s latex-free and super soft and breathable. It’s even seamless to prevent chafing. It provides just enough pressure to keep things in place but doesn’t restrict breathing or dig into the skin. Why can’t more bras be this comfortable?
Get more than one so that you can rotate between them. The sides come up high under the armpit and will absorb underarm sweat and odor.
Amoena Emilia Seamless Post-Surgical Pocketed Bra
This brand makes various models of post-surgery bras. They also sell a repositionable drain pouch that attaches to the bottom band if you need it.
Women who have experienced a lumpectomy or mastectomy say that this is an intermediate recovery bra. It’s not as compressive or supportive as a post-surgical bra provided right after the surgery. Instead, this is tighter than a regular bra but quite comfortable. Switch to this when you’re ready to transition to a sleeping bra.
The cotton/nylon/spandex material is very breathable and lightweight. It even has mesh panels under the bust and on the sides for extra ventilation.
There’s a front zipper closure with hidden benefits. There’s also a hook and eye placket inside for increased support and compression.
Of course, the straps are adjustable. The bra also has pockets on either side for post-surgical forms.
Choose from various colors in sizes from extra small to 3XL.
What’s the timeline for recovery from breast reduction surgery?
After shopping for surgical bras, we bet you’re wondering how long you’ll need to wear them. We checked with the experts and found that it’ll probably be at least 4 to 6 weeks.
In the meantime, right after surgery, you won’t even be able to take a shower for a couple of days. It would be a good idea to have someone to help you during this time. You’ll have medications to take, bandages to care for, and you’ll be in quite a bit of pain.
After a week or so, you’ll probably still be tired because your body is putting out a ton of energy to heal you. Take it slow, keep wearing that post-surgery bra and hang in there. Don’t lift anything heavy and be careful how you move to avoid tearing the incisions.
After a couple of weeks, you’ll still need that surgery bra. You’ll probably be pretty itchy, so pick one that’s seamless with really soft fabric. Change it so you can wash it regularly. You might be able to transition to a less restrictive bra at this time.
After a month of healing, you’ll probably feel up to doing most daily activities. Your doctor may release you to take baths and do exercise. You might even be able to switch back to an underwire bra (2).
We wish you a fast recovery!
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-reduction-surgery/about/pac-20385246 Breast reduction surgery by the Mayo Clinic
2. https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/breast-reduction-recovery/