Compression Bras: The Importance Of Choosing The Right Post Surgical Bra After Breast Surgery

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Choosing The Right Post Surgical Bra After Breast Surgery

After having a breast surgery procedure, it is very important to wear a post surgical bra as part of your post op healing process. Wearing compression bras during your healing can provide you with support, help prevent excessive swelling, make you feel more comfortable and speed up your recovery.

Choosing the right type of post surgical bra can make all the difference for comfort and protection while you ease back into normal daily activity. As your body heals, your needs will change. Having a compression bra with adjustable bands, breathable fabrics, and gentle support make it easier to transition from early recovery to everyday wear without pain or frustration. Take your time, listen to your body, and don’t rush back into wearing a regular bra - wearing the right post surgical compression bra supports both your recovery and your confidence while moving forward.

The market for compression bras is huge, with many different types, styles of brands of bras available, and making the best decision for your particular needs can feel overwhelming. Therefore, we have created a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about compression bras which will help you in your product selection decision-making process. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about compression bras.

What Types Of Breast Surgery Are Compression Bras Suited For

Compression bras, and specifically and post op compression bras, were designed to help you look and feel good during and after your post-surgical recovery and are ideally suited for the following types of breast surgery:

breast cancer surgery
breast removal surgery (mastectomy and double mastectomy)
breast reduction surgery
breast uplift surgery
breast augmentation surgery
breast reconstruction surgery
other breast surgery

What Should I Focus On During My Post Surgical Recovery / Healing

Immediately after having breast surgery, the three main areas that you will want to focus on to facilitate an effective and quick post surgical healing process include:

keep swelling down
steady implants or tissue
minimize pain caused by movement

Wearing a properly designed and fitting post surgical bra will help with all three areas.

What Role Does Compression Play In The Post Surgical Recovery / Healing Process

Having the correct amount of compression, applied in the right areas, is critical during the post surgical recovery and healing process after breast surgery. Many people simply assume that “having more compression” will translate into quicker or better healing. However, simply having more compression that leads to a better healing result is simply not true. In reality, too much compression can result in restricted blood flow, implant displacement, and delayed healing, while having too little compression can lead to swelling, discomfort, and poor support.

What Are The Different Types Of Compression Bras

Compression bras are primarily categorized by their purpose, with medical compression bras being typically used for post surgical recovery or managing conditions such as lymphedema. The most common types of medical compression bras include:

Post Op Compression Bras: A post surgical bra is designed for immediate use after breast surgery (augmentation, reduction, or reconstruction). They generally have features which will help with the post op recovery to include front closures, such as zippers or hook-and-eyes, to accommodate limited arm mobility.
A post op mastectomy bra is specifically designed for recovery after a mastectomy, and often include bilateral pockets to hold lightweight breast forms or prostheses.
Lymphedema/Lymph Relief Bras: These types of compression bras use specialized "knitting zones" or textured fabrics for treating lymphedema, by promoting lymphatic drainage and preventing fluid buildup in the chest and underarm areas.
Compression Vests, Tops and Camisoles: These extended compression garments provide compression not only to the chest but also to the arms, abdomen and the entire truncal region, and are often used after liposuction, a tummy tuck, or arm lift surgery.

What Are Medical Post Op Compression Bras Used For After Breast Surgery

Compression bras (post op bra / post surgical bra) help to minimize the risk of post-operative bleeding and swelling and to help alleviate the associated pain of the surgical procedure. At the same time, these compression bras stabilize the breast that has been operated on, provides stability and support, and helps keep the chest protected.

Having an optimal amount of pressure from a post surgical compression bra will also promote circulation, help wound healing, and will stabilize the shape and function of the breast after having breast surgery.

Why Is It Important To Wear A Post Surgical Bra After Breast Surgery

The ultimate outcome of having had breast surgery is not influenced by the breast surgery procedure alone. Excellent post-surgical care will also significantly contribute to your post-surgical healing process and outcome. Use of an appropriate post surgical bra is essential in the first weeks after breast surgery because these types of compression bras are specifically designed to:

provide firm but gentle compression without over constricting
allow adjustments to the bra as swelling changes (the band, shoulder straps and cups)
make it easier to put them on and take them off
protect incision sites with seamless, soft fabric
support the breasts, implants or healing tissue in the correct position

How Long Should I Wear My Post Op Bra After Breast Surgery

Plan to wear your medical compression bra or post surgical bra day and night for the first 2-6 weeks after having breast surgery. After this initial period, you can usually switch to a supportive post op bra during the day, wearing it up for several months as things settle down and the healing/recovery process progresses. In general, most breast surgery patients will adhere to the following timeframes:

First 4-6 weeks: wear a post surgical compression bra 24/7
After 6 weeks: you may be cleared to wear a wireless sports bra for light activity
After 8-12 weeks: you should be able to return to sports bras for exercise

Please note that you should always confirm with your healthcare provider regarding these timeframes.

Will A Medical Post Op Bra Help Reduce The Risk Of Developing Lymphedema

The risk of developing lymphedema will increase after having breast surgery and therefore it is very important that a good post surgical compression bra should not impede lymphatic flow within the surgical area.

Are There Other Benefits Of Wearing A Post Surgical Compression Bra After Breast Surgery

In addition to the direct physical benefits of having compression during the post operative healing process, compression bras also provide an emotional feeling of stability and safety, which can be invaluable to you during and after your recovery. Wearing the correct type of compression bra can support and boost your self-confidence throughout the entire breast surgery process. Maintaining the look and feel of your breasts will help you feel like “yourself”, which is especially important if you have undergone a breast surgery procedure such as a mastectomy.

What Features Should A Good Post Surgical Bra Have

Medical compression bras are generally produced using seamless circular knitting technology to eliminate the use of seams which can cause friction, pressure points and skin irritations. A well designed post surgical compression bra are designed to provide sufficient pressure and support to the breast and chest region during the healing process will offer the following features:

The presence of a front-fastening closure that will make dressing and undressing as comfortable and pain-free as possible, especially in the first phase after breast surgery, when movements of the torso are often painful
a particularly wide and soft underbust band that provides support without stiffness, and prevents the impairment of lymphatic flow
soft stretchy bands, underbands and cups that expand evenly with swelling, and avoid creating pressure points that dig in to sensitive skin
wide adjustable straps, a high back and wide underbust band that contribute to the stabilization of the surgical area without impairing the surgical result
a wireless design to eliminate the underwire, which can cause poking or pressure on healing spots. Instead of wires, a wireless post op bra will have molded cups and soft linings
special knitting technology that allows for different 'zones' within the material (generally on the sides and back) for added firmness and support, and is particularly beneficial for lymphatic drainage
breathable lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics, mesh panels or technical knits to facilitate air flow, help keep skin dry and comfortable (especially around incisions or drains), and help cut down on odor
pockets for removable pads help if you have drains or need extra space for dressings, while prosthesis pockets can very useful during post-mastectomy recovery

How Do I Find The Right Size Or Fit For My Post Surgical Bra

Always consult the compression bra brand’s sizing chart for the model or style that you are considering. Measure your underbust and fullest bust once the initial post surgical swelling has gone down. Adjustable bands, front closures, and stretchy fabrics are your friends in the first weeks after breast surgery as they will facilitate changes due to swelling fluctuations. If you are unsure, go a little snug at first and loosen up as the swelling decreases and healing progresses.

Band fit on your post op bra is more important than cup size. For proper support, you will want the under band to fig snug but not suffocating. Choosing a bra with adjustable straps will allow you to adjust according to the size that is needed as swelling changes. Keep things firm and snug as it is better to have a post surgical bra that remains in place, providing compression and support, than to have a bra that rides up or shifts.

If you have had reconstruction breast surgery, a mastectomy, or have some breast asymmetry, selecting a pocketed post op bra (mastectomy bra) will let you add custom forms or adjust cup volume.

What Are The Differences Between A Post Surgical Bra And Compression Sports Bras

Medical compression bras are considered medical devices, designed to provide calibrated pressure to help reduce swelling and stabilize tissue. Standard compression sports bras offer high coverage and support for physical activity but in regards to medical conditions, they typically should only be used in the later stages of surgical recovery.

A medical post surgical bra has been designed to strike the right balance between not having enough compression and having too much compression. These compression bras will be “snug enough to support” and “gentle enough not to harm”. Standard sports compression bras are however usually on the “having too much” compression side of the scale.

In specific functional areas, the key differences between compression sports bras and a post surgical compression bra can best be summarized as follows:

Can I Wear A Compression Sports Bra Instead Of A Post Surgical Bra

While you may be able to transition to a compression sports bra after the initial post operative healing process is finished, there are definitely risks if you wear a sports bra instead of a post surgical compression bra, or transition to a sports bra too early in the recovery process. These risks include discomfort, poor support, and in some cases, compromised results.

Despite the availability of specially designed medical compression bras, sports bras are still often used after breast surgery. While sports bras are comfortable, wire-free, and are designed to reduce movement, they have a number of disadvantages compared to medical compression bras. Compression sports bras:

are generally designed with heavy seams, which increases the risk of friction and irritation at the surgery site
generally have thin, often tight elastic inner bands that can easily impede or impair lymphatic flow within the surgical site
feature designs and cuts that widely vary, thereby providing no guarantee that it will exert the right amount of pressure at exactly the correct position after breast surgery
typically do not cover the entire surgical area in which post-operative edema (swelling) can develop
are designed to hold breasts close to the body during movement and not to aid in post operative recovery

What Can Go Wrong If I Wear A Compression Sports Bra Instead Of A Post Surgical Bra Or Transition Too Soon

Using a sports bra instead of a post surgical compression bra during the first 4–6 weeks of your post-surgery can lead to:

Implant displacement (for augmentation): sports bras push implants inward or upward, interfering with the natural healing process where the breast implants will settle
Increased irritation: many sports bras have seams or elastic bands that can rub against or irritate incisions
Uncontrolled swelling: sports bras compress too firmly in some areas and not enough in others
Difficult removal: In addition to being painful, racerback or pullover sports bras are almost impossible to put on or remove, after surgery when your arm mobility is limited

When Is It Safe to Transition From A Post Op Bra To A Compression Sports Bra

There is no standard timeline to transition from a post op bra to a compression sports bra, and the exact timeframe depends on several factors including:

the type of surgery you have had (removal, augmentation, reduction, lift, reconstruction)
the amount of tissue removed or added during breast surgery
your individual healing process and progress

Are Medical Compression Bras Covered By Insurance

Medical compression bras may be covered by insurance, depending on the nature or type of your breast surgery. Generally, elective cosmetic breast surgery will not be covered by insurance. However, you should check the details of your individual plan for your particular coverage. You should also always consider self-pay vs insurance to determine the best option for yourself and your condition.

If your compression bra is not covered by insurance, or you decide that self-pay makes the most send, you may still be able to use your FSA or HSA account to purchase it and other medical products with pre-tax dollars!

What Are Some Brands Offering Quality Medical Compression Bras

Some of our top brands of post surgical compression bras include:

Be sure to check out our full line of compression bras, vest, tops and camisoles for other options.

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Additional Resources For Breast Surgery Post Operative Health And Wellness

Click here to read more about understanding the difference between surgical bras, mastectomy bras and chest compression garments.

Click here to read more about wearing mastectomy compression bras after having breast surgery.

Click here to read frequently asked questions about lymph relief bras and compression bras for lymphedema and post-surgery.

About Bandages Plus

Founded in 1992 by a lymphedema specialist to provide products to patients, therapists, and hospitals, Bandages Plus is now one of the nation's leading suppliers of lymphedema products, compression stockings for venous insufficiency, compression stockings for varicose veins and vein disease, and much more! Located in Miami, Florida, we ship products to hospitals, healthcare facilities and customers across the U.S. We are also a Certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VSOB).

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In addition to post op compression bras, compression bras for lymphedema and other compression garments, we also have a large selection of bandaging supplies, lymphedema shoes and boots, compression garments, wound care supplies, and skin care supplies for the treatment of lymphedema, edema, varicose veins, venous disease, post-operative procedures, and more!

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