Best Post Breast Surgery Bra

What does Philip Turton Recommend as a Cosmetic Breast Surgeon Specialist?

After your perfect breast implant surgery you do not want to ruin the result by making basic errors with wearing the incorrect post breast surgery bra during your recovery. Having tried most post breast surgery bras and types of support over the last 14-years, I recommend my patients wear an elasticated tubigrip, for the first 2-weeks. At this stage many patients would report difficulties if they are straight into a post breast surgery bra- it is a little too early for this. Instead I custom fit a tubigrip to my patients prior to surgery while my patient is still in their room. Tubigrip comes in different sizes and we select the size that is most comfortable and take account of the breast surgery I am about to perform. The tubigrip is worn across my patient’s lower waist as they go down to the operating room. It is pulled down well out of the way over the hips prior to surgery and commencing the skin prep routine and sterile double drape procedure. After surgery is complete and once I have placed the steristrips and then the special dressings, the surgical team will help me to gently slide the tubigrip back up over my patient’s breast area. I can ensure the correct amount of pressure and make adjustments to position or from a double to single layer at this stage. My patients leave the operating theatre with just the right amount of compression. They will wake up from anaesthesia with more comfort. It works well as it does not dig in any where and patients always say how comfortable they feel. The problem with a surgical bra at this stage is that there is more localised pressure in the band area which is the commonest site for the incision!

For How Long Do You Wear The Tubigrip After Breast Surgery?

Mr Turton gets his patients to wear this night and day, for the first 2 weeks. I ask my patients to just have shallow baths. I want them to keep wearing the tubigrip at all times. This ensures there is minimal disturbance to the healing wound and makes certain that my dressings remain totally dry. Patients can wear it for longer, and a small proportion like it so much they do not change in to the post breast surgery bra!

When Do I Change Into The Post Breast Surgery Bra?

At the two week mark, the tubigrip is cut off and the dressing are removed. Patients under Mr Turton’s care typically have perfect healing after their breast enlargement surgery. In fact in over 14 years of performing breast augmentation surgery Mr Turton has never had an implant infection in over 1000 implants cases. To keep good healing, I will allow my patients to transition into the post breast surgery bra at this stage. A post breast surgery bra is usually a type of sports bra. There are modifications to these that are more expensive but I have seen many that are around the £18 price mark that make for excellent post-surgery bras. You do not need a high impact sports bra at this stage.

What Are The Best Features To Look For In A Post Breast Surgery Bra After Breast Enlargement Surgery?

The areas of mild tenderness are usually across the crease under the breast where the incision was made for the placement of the breast implants. I typically use three rows of internal sutures here. The deep layer is the strongest to fix the fold of the breast properly. The top layer in the skin is the most delicate as it needs to be very cosmetic and produce a very fine scar. Because of this, I like patients to avoid excessive pressure from an ill-fitting bra across this site. In addition the skin just above the scar will usually feel numb for a number of weeks or longer, and if you have a seam in the band of a sports bra it may rub without you feeling it. If that happens it can cause the skin to become sore and swollen. This can make it vulnerable to infection. Therefore, I avoid seams and I get my patients to choose a sports bra with a broad band that distributes the support over a wider area. The material should be smooth and have lots of elasticity. Feel this area with your finger tip and see if it is silky smooth or not. A front fastening sports bra or post breast surgery bra is ideal as you do not want to be reaching around to adjust at the back. You should avoid the very cheap £10 ‘one size fits all’ type sport bra that do not even come if a range of sizes as I find these are usually too flimsy.

The optimal post surgery bra is illustrated in the photo here. This is from one of Mr Turton’s patients who has had a natural and proportionate breast enlargement operation just a few weeks ago that was designed carefully using my biodimensional assessment and 3D imaging techniques. She has a perfectly fitting front fastening sports bra. Always get your specialist to check that the fit is perfect and ask if you do not feel comfortable.

A lot of my patients will buy 3 slightly different styles and bring them to the consultation with the tags and labels still attached so they can try each one under out expert eye to select the best and return the ones that are not needed to the shop.

For How Long Should I Wear a Post Breast Surgery Bra?

I request my patients to wear them up until the 6 week mark usually. After this I recommend that my patients wear a high impact sports bra for any exercise. I do not want the breasts to bounce when my patients go running after they have had breast implants. It is sensible to wear some support at night to improve comfort and to reduce the effects of tissue stretch with time. Breasts need lateral support at night to help them not fall side ways. Most of my patients have a soft night time sports bra that they find comfortable and I have found this range to be very useful.

More information is available on Philip Turton’s web site pages on breast enlargement surgery recovery: https://cosmeticbreastsurgeon.co.uk/augmentation-post-operation-questions/