Sports bra after breast augmentation
After your breast augmentation, you have to wait a while before you can start wearing nice bras. Shopping for a new set is better postponed for another 6 to 8 weeks. During the preparatory conversations we as medical providers have with patients about breast augmentation, one specific preparation advice often comes up; buy a sports bra for after surgery. This sports bra should be worn for 6 weeks after the procedure, therefore it is important that you are advised as fully as possible about purchasing the right sports bra.
Why is a sports bra important after breast augmentation?
Sports bras have no underwire in the bottom edge of the bra. In breast augmentation, we make small incisions on the underside of the breast. If a brace is then subsequently applied to the wound, it can cause friction, irritating the wounds. To avoid this, the lack of an underwire on a sports bra is important.
In addition, it is important to provide adequate support on the breasts after surgery. This reduces the likelihood of fluid accumulation, but also reduces stress on wound healing.
What does a sports bra need to meet?
While you are still asleep we will put on your purchased bra after the procedure. To minimize having to move around during anesthesia and achieve the best possible result, a few aspects of the sports bra are our preference:
- The bra should provide adequate support, where it is important that the bra fits your breasts nicely after breast augmentation, but certainly not too big.
- The bra should have a front closure. If not, we will have to put you upright while you sleep.
- It’s helpful if the bra straps can be loosened, so we don’t have to move your arms too much in your sleep.
- For you, darker bra colors are more comfortable, should there be minimal post-leakage from the incision.
Which sports bra do we recommend?
Regarding compressive clothing for after our surgeries, we from MOOI often recommend garments from EmdaWear. EmdaWear makes clothing specifically for this type of surgery, which can also be used after abdominoplasty or liposuction, for example. On the website, emdawear.co.uk, the shop features 17 different compressive bras. Of these, we recommend the Bonnie variety. This version not only has the necessary front closure, but also has adjustable straps that can be adjusted in the front. For us as plastic surgeons, this is ideal. We also often hear from clients that these bras are comfortable and relatively inexpensive.
What we recommend for after surgery
For the first 6 weeks after surgery, we recommend that you wear EmdaWear’s sports bra day and night. During these 6 weeks, it is important not to put too much strain on the breasts with exercise yet and, above all, give them the rest to recover. After these 6 weeks, you may slowly resume your daily activities, such as sports, among others. You may then, guided by how you like it, start wearing underwire bras again. Even when exercising, you don’t necessarily need to wear a compressive sports bra like the EmdaWear bras. Regular sports bras are also allowed, but mainly look at what you like best.
What size do you need?
You won’t know your exact bra size until after surgery. Emdawear’s bra sizes range from XS to 2XL. You’ll also find a size chart on their website. You measure your current size (under your chest). Don’t choose the size too tight; comfort is nice after the procedure. During the consultation, our plastic surgeon can give you a good indication of your needed new cup size.
Other tips
- After breast surgery, you will receive one sports bra from MOOI Clinic.
- Purchase yourself at least 2 sports bras so you can change and wash them daily.
- Choose 2 different models of sports bras. This makes wearing more comfortable because each bra has a different pressure distribution. You reduce the risk of pressure sores.
- Unsure about your chosen post-operative bra? Then have us check it out.
We hope this has given you sufficient information. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you.
