Choosing New Bras After a Breast Lift  

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Choosing New Bras After a Breast Lift  

If you have recently undergone a breast lift surgery, then it is highly important to be conscious of the type of bra that you choose to wear. While you may be excited about your new appearance and want to shop for a bra that will accentuate your new figure, your health comes first. Before finalizing your cart online or swiping your credit card at your favorite lingerie store, be sure to consider a few aspects when choosing your next bra. 

 Breast Lift Surgery 

A breast lift (a mastopexy) removes excess skin and tightens the tissue to alter and support the new breast shape. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has reported that there has been a 70% increase in breast lifts since 2000, which is double the number of breast implants. Plastic Surgery Match says that many women seek breast lifts because the surgery can assist keeping breasts from dropping too low or aging too quickly. Breast lifts provide an increase in firmness; they also reduce the enlargement of the areola over time. However, breast lift surgery is considered major surgery, so you should always adhere to your doctor’s recommended healing time. 

Recovery Time and Bra Size 

Most doctors recommend three to six weeks of healing time, which comes with its own set of instructions. For example, you should wear support bandages, surgical bras and supportive bras for support. Because of the recovery process, many patients will experience swelling as your breasts are still healing. It is common for a few weeks to pass for the sensation in your breasts to return among a couple of other changes. However, your breasts will not significantly change size as a result of breast lift surgery. If you have not undergone a breast augmentation surgery in addition to your breast lift, then you will be able to get an accurate assessment of your bra size after your healing period. However, during recovery, it will be difficult to determine your actual bra size because of the swelling. You should wait until after the recovery period to purchase new bras. 

 Surgical Bras 

After you awaken from your surgery, you will notice a change in the size and shape of your breasts as they will be tender and swollen from surgery. The best thing that you can do at this point is to wear a medical compression bra (a surgical bra) that does not have underwires. A medical compression bra will help reduce swelling, keep wound dressings where they should be, etc. It will also protect the breast tissue, contributing to your overall healing. Your doctor may recommend that you wear the medical compression bra for two weeks after the surgery. 

 Supportive Bras 

While a push-up bra or lacy bra may have the look that you would like, you may still be experiencing some discomfort or pain in your chest area post-surgery. It will also take you some time to adjust to the new shape of your breasts, so it is important to find a bra that provides the best support and keeps them positioned properly on your chest. Instead of choosing a bra that will complement your outfit, choose one that will offer the best support. Stay away from bras with underwires. Also, choose a bra that will limit the amount of stretching you have to do to put it on. It may be preferable to buy a bra that has a front clap. A supportive sports bra can provide great help during your recovery. However, if you experience pain, you should visit your plastic surgeon for a check-up. 

 Professional Fitting 

You may be tempted to buy a ton of bras that you think will look nice on you. However, most women do not know their exact bra size and tend to purchase bras that are not the perfect fit. Keep in mind that your breast lift will alter your previous breast composition. If you schedule a professional bra fitting after you have fully recovered from your breast lift, you can find out your real size and go shopping afterward. The sales professionals at the fitting will also be able to recommend the best bras for your new body shape and style. 

 Online Purchases 

Bras can be quite pricey. However, you may receive several online discount codes per week from your favorite stores. While it may be more affordable to buy a new set of bras from an online retailer, it is also riskier. Unless you can return your purchase for a full refund, you should proceed with ordering bras online with caution. If you have had a professional fitting, then you may have better luck with finding the right fit for you on the internet. However, only order from trusted sites that you have ordered from in the past or come highly recommended by friends. 

 Online Bra Fit Specialists 

If you are in an emergency and need to order a bra online as soon as possible, try speaking with a bra specialist on Victoria’s Secret website. Once you visit the site, you will have the option to speak to a bra specialist on the phone or via live chat. Alternatively, they have “the perfect fit calculator” on their site. If you have the following bust measurements ready: inches, band size, and bust size, it will give you an estimate of the right size for you. Then, you can explore the site for a bra that best suits your stylistic preferences. 

While every patient experiences a different recovery process, it is best to follow standard protocol along with the advice of your plastic surgeon. Check with your doctor after a few weeks to confirm that your breasts have settled into their final position and size after the swelling has healed. With this knowledge, you can proceed to purchase bras that will provide great support as well as make you feel your best.