Is a compression bra after breast augmentation needed? No, but a surgical bra is. In this blog post, I’m answering commonly asked questions about breast augmentation, including what is it like to recover from breast implant surgery, and how do breast implants settle after surgery? Keep scrolling for expert responses to common breast enhancement FAQ…
Do Breast Implants Get Bigger As They Heal?
Yes, immediately following a breast augmentation, the breasts and local soft tissues are quite swollen, making the skin appear tight. This tightness causes the breasts to initially look smaller and less natural. As the swelling resolves 6 to 8 weeks following surgery, the skin near your implants appears softer and more supple.
Some people call this the “drop and fluff” phenomenon, as the breast implants drop into their final position at the bottom of the pocket and the soft tissues and skin assume their normal feel and appearance.
For this reason, it’s important not to judge your result too early because of the standard swelling, higher positioning, and skin tightness that most patients initially observe. As the swelling and inflammation diminish and as implants settle in the pocket, the breasts take on a new and improved look. At this point, they typically look more natural and appear larger than immediately following your surgery.
Do I Need to Wear a Compression Garment After Breast Augmentation?
No, a compression bra is not required after surgery but you can expect to wake up from surgery wearing a soft cotton surgical support bra. It is comfortable, breathes well, and does not have any zippers or clips which can potentially harm the skin.
This cotton surgical bra is worn for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. After that, patients are encouraged to wear any bra that is comfortable provided that it has no underwire. Underwire bras may be worn 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, once your incisions have healed sufficiently.
We do not use any sort of compression garments following breast augmentation surgery as they are too tight and can potentially cause skin breakdown or blisters. No postoperative bra should be too tight because it can not only be uncomfortable as the breasts swell, but can lead to skin ischemia (lack of oxygen) and blistering.
Our post-op FAQ serves as a great resource for patients wondering what to expect after plastic surgery.
Why Is There a Large Gap Between My Breasts After Breast Augmentation?
More likely than not, the gap between the two breasts (intermammary sulcus) was there prior to the breast augmentation surgery. This space is anatomical and is defined by your breastbone (sternum), the breasts, and the pectoralis major muscles. This space varies from patient to patient. You may have a very large distance between the breasts, or you may have an extremely narrow gap.
The key is that the plastic surgeon recognizes the degree of gap prior to surgery so that we can recommend an appropriate surgical plan to maximize your overall breast aesthetics.
Wide Gap Before Surgery
The amount of dissection of the pectoralis muscle can be adjusted based on the desired ultimate positioning of the implant. Many women have a large space between the two breasts, which makes the final cleavage line seem too wide and separated. In these patients, I typically discuss subfascial breast augmentation, which will provide improved closeness of the breasts and implants because they will not be placed below muscles that are already too far apart.
If patients have a wide gap pre-op, I will also discuss the option of fat grafting, where I inject the patient’s fat along the cleavage line as well as the upper poles to create the illusion that the implants are actually closer than they are. A recent study shows that patients choosing breast implants combined with fat grafting have high satisfaction with their breasts and cleavage.
Narrow Gap Before Surgery
For patients who have extremely close breasts pre-op, I am very cautious when dissecting the medial/inferior pec attachments to ensure that the implants don’t sit too close to each other.
How Implant Choice Affects Your Gap
Additionally, breast implant selection plays a key role in maximizing breast aesthetics. Narrow and highly projected implants will potentially expose an underlying large gap even more, impacting overall breast appearance. Appropriate implant width selection is critical in order to camouflage a large gap or NOT highlight it even more.
Check out the Instagram post below and view my breast augmentation before and after photo gallery to see how customizing your surgery enhances your aesthetic results.
What should I discuss at my consultation?
You should be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your breast augmentation procedure and recovery during the initial consultation. Its also the ideal time to gain a good understanding of your surgeon’s expertise and track record and gauge their bedside manner. Be prepared to ask questions like:
- Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive breast augmentation experience?
- What type of implant options do you offer?
- Do you have breast implant sizers to help me envision my potential results?
- Can I benefit by combining my breast augmentation with a breast lift?
- Do you offer financing options to help me budget and pay for my procedure?
- How long will my recovery be and when will I see my final results?
Patients should have a clear understanding of their anatomy prior to surgery. More importantly, the plastic surgeon should take your existing anatomy and body frame into account when creating a customized surgical plan that enhances your breast appearance.
Have More Questions?
To schedule a consultation with me at our state-of-the-art practice near Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ, call our office at (480) 423-1973 or request a consultation using the online form.
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