Post-surgical brawhat is it for, how to choose, where to buy?
Post-operative care during the recovery period of any plastic surgery is essential to achieve good aesthetic results after the procedure.
In breast plastic surgery, whether it's the breast augmentation, reduction mammoplasty, mastopexy, breast augmentation with fat or breast reconstruction, There are a number of mandatory post-operative precautions. These will ensure the patient's well-being and a smooth healing process.
In addition to resting, taking painkillers, changing dressings and drainage sessions, the wearing a specific bra for a certain period of time is an essential rule for a good recovery and successful surgery.
What is a post-surgical bra and what is it for?
The post-surgical bra, also known as a post-operative bra, is a specific bra that must be worn by patients who have had breast surgery.
This is an essential ally due to its many advantages.
BENEFITS:
- The post-surgical bra ensures that the operated area has stability, so that ensure good healing and reducing the risk of fibrosis and keloids. This is because surgery leads to the detachment of internal tissues that the bra helps to compress, facilitating the healing process and reducing the likelihood of bleeding.
- Compression also allows control and reduction of swelling.
- By immobilising the breast area, the post-operative bra helps controlling pain, once again, by stagnating the movement and displacement of the tissues. It also prevents sagging.
- And by preventing movement of the breast tissue when the patient shifts or moves, the post-operative bra avoids tension on the stitches, which might otherwise open up.
- In the case of breast augmentation or mastopexy with implants, these bras are also useful for prevent displacement of the prosthesis.
How to choose?
The post-surgical bra best suited to your situation, according to the procedure and your physiognomy, will be recommended to you by your plastic surgeon before your mammoplasty, mastopexy, breast augmentation with fat or breast reconstruction.
Choosing a post-surgical bra is an important step in ensuring that the patient is as comfortable as possible during the recovery phase.
Bra types and features
There are different types of post-operative bras, which have different characteristics depending on the surgery performed and the aim of the recovery.
They all have a stronger support than ordinary models, to ensure support and stabilisation, and it is important that they are resistant and cosy.
It should also be noted that you should opt for hypoallergenic fabrics and of higher quality, which are not likely to cause allergies or irritation.
- Front opening - this is an attribute that all (or almost all) post-surgical bras have. The purpose of the front opening, usually with clasps and/or zip fasteners, is to make it easier to wear and to observe or bandage the area that has been operated on. The front opening is important because, after surgery, the patient cannot make certain movements, such as raising her arms.
- High compression - the high compression in post-surgical bras helps to control and relieve swelling. Its use is intended for patients who have had breast augmentation or reduction and mastopexy.
- Seamless - The fact that it has no seams prevents them from catching on the scar and provides greater comfort.
- With retaining strip - Post-surgical bras with a support band are particularly suitable for recovery from breast augmentation or mastopexy with breast prosthesis/implant placement. The main purpose of the support band is to prevent the prosthesis from moving. However, it is also indicated in the case of simple mastopexy or reduction mammoplasty to support and maintain correct breast positioning. The support band is worn over the bra for support.
- Modelling - the modelling bra is essential for patients who have had mastopexy or reduction surgery, as it helps to maintain the way the breast has been positioned, ensuring a more symmetrical result.
- No rim or foam - The absence of a rim or foam prevents the operated area from becoming deformed or scarred.
- Mouldable handles - the mouldable straps allow the bra to be positioned at the correct height and in the most comfortable way.
It's also important to say that, regardless of their function as a treatment and as an adjunct to recovery from surgery, post-operative bras also have different aesthetic characteristics, and you can choose one according to your personal tastes.
Although they generally resemble sports bras, they can have lace or be plain, be longer or shorter, have thinner or wider straps and come in different colours.
How do I choose the right size?
Ask your doctor about the best bra size to wear after breast augmentation, reduction or mastopexy.
It must not be too tight, but just tight enough to support the breast, otherwise it can impair blood circulation, hinder healing and delay the relief of swelling.
How long should it be used for?
How long the patient should wear the bra depends on each case.
The post-surgical bra should be worn all day and night, i.e. even to bed. It should only be removed when the patient takes a shower.
It is therefore important to buy more than one bra so that they can be worn alternately while one of them is being washed.
The minimum time a bra should be worn is 30 days. In some cases, this period can extend to 90 days.
Important: You should only stop wearing your post-operative bra when your surgeon tells you to.
When you stop wearing your post-surgical bra, however, you should continue to wear bras without underwires and with good support for some time.
Where to buy?
It's increasingly easy to find outlets that sell post-operative bras, as more and more brands are making them.
Specialised shops selling lingerie, orthopaedic, pharmaceutical, medical and hospital products, as well as more general shops, offer this type of product.
If you want to buy the bra online, simply search on google for terms such as “buy post-surgical bra”, “buy post-operative bra”, or even, for example, “mastopexy bra” or “mammoplasty bra” to find numerous websites and brands that sell them.
