Surgical Bra After Breast Reduction

Following breast surgery, comfort and support are the biggest factors that you will want your bra to deliver on. From immediately after surgery in the hospital, to coming home and facing the weeks of recovery ahead, getting the right surgical bra after breast reduction is an important consideration to think through ahead of the procedure taking place. 

Choosing a breathable, non-wired bra with gentle support in a soft material, with easy fastening and adjustable straps will ensure that your breasts have the best chance of healing without unnecessary irritation or discomfort and can adjust with you as your swelling goes down. 

Key Features For Post Surgical Bras 

• Non-wired
• Gentle compression/support
• Easy fastening - consider front fastening or crop top styles 
• Soft breathable fabric that is free of seams and irritating fabrics 
• Wider straps or under bands for additional support 
• Larger sizing to allow for swelling 
• Velcro straps and popper closures
• Silver fibres for antibacterial properties 

At Uplifted Lingerie we stock a wide variety of bras from brands that make it their mission to design comfortable post-surgery bras. Our excellent selection will provide the comfort and support that you need following breast reduction surgery and come in a wide range of sizes from 30D to 42H. 

 

Ready to find comfortable post-surgery bras? View our collection

 

At Uplifted Lingerie, we have supported lots of women in their post-surgery bra shopping journey. Below we have shared some of the key considerations to be aware of when it comes to choosing your bras after a breast reduction along with some of our favourite surgical bra styles for comfort. 

So whether you’re looking to stock up on comfort boosting bras ahead of your operation or need to find the right level of support whilst recovering, we have plenty of excellent bras to choose from. 

What Is The Best Bra To Wear After Surgery? 

Knowing what type of bra is best to wear following breast reduction surgery is key to your pre-surgery prep. Getting this right will ensure that you will be as comfortable and confident as possible during your recovery directly after the procedure and will ensure that your hospital bag is packed with everything you will need bra wise. 

We would recommend talking to your surgeon about their recommendations about the best style of bra to wear after your surgery but most will advise either a non-wired sports bra, a soft sleep bralette or a bra specifically made for post-surgery periods. 

These styles of bra will usually include gentle compression and special features that will make your life easier when getting in and out of your bra such as front fastening, velcro or poppers for ease of access and dressing when you’re feeling sore and tender. 

 

Getting The Right Fit

A properly fitting bra is important at the best of times, and even more important to get right following major surgery. With that in mind, we would recommend having a professional fitting ahead of your surgery to try on bras offering features that will help you support your breasts after your operation that you might not have experienced before.

It will be much easier to try on and sample different styles, fastening and shapes than you might usually wear whilst you’re not in any pain. It’s also a great way to find what style you prefer and is also a good opportunity to talk through the options available with professional fitters that are experienced in the specific needs that women will have post-surgery. 

During the fitting, pay attention to where the band is sitting on your chest as you may want it to sit a little lower than it usually would. Having the band positioned below the root of the breast is a good tip to prevent rubbing on any scars that will be at this site. 

Take a look at our fitting guide for our comprehensive instructions, images and videos to ensure that you are wearing a properly fitting bra. 

When's the Right Time to Shop for Your New Bra Size After Breast Reduction?

After undergoing breast reduction surgery, patience is key. Your breasts will likely be swollen and sensitive for several weeks post-op. The best time to consider shopping for new bras is after your 6-8 week check-up with your surgeon. Once you get the green light that you're healing properly, you can start thinking about your new wardrobe.

By this point, most of the swelling should have gone down, giving you a clearer idea of your new size and shape. Still, keep in mind that you might face some lingering swelling and tenderness for up to three months. So, if you're not feeling up to shopping for regular bras just yet, that's absolutely fine. Healing takes time, and there's no hurry to get back into your usual lingerie styles.

When you do feel ready to start shopping, you'll find that you have a lot more options. Whether you prefer to shop online or in person is entirely your choice. However, a quick tip: it might be a good idea to stick with wire-free bras for a bit longer. This way, your breasts have room to expand or swell during the day without any irritation from wires.

 

Features Of Post Surgery Bras 

Whether you’re looking for the right bra to put into your hospital bag or want to get a stash of comfortable options for the weeks following your operation, keep your eyes peeled for the following features that are key for your comfort when buying post-surgery bras. 

 

Non-Wired

Post-surgery bras without wires can be a great option for day to night transitions and will ensure that you don’t have to worry about wires poking into your breasts and aggravating the tenderness caused by the surgery. Being able to wear the same bra day and night will also prevent unnecessary bra changes which might be painful and pull on stitches.

 

Gentle Compression And Support

Some surgeons may recommend wearing sports bras 24 hours a day for up to 3 months but this will be covered in your post-op chat and you will get advice specific to you. Sports bras tend to offer gentle compression which can aid the healing process and keep everything in place whilst recovering. 

 

Easy Fastening - Consider Front Fastening Or Crop Top Styles 

Many women will never have considered a front fastening bra before but trust us, having the ability to fasten your bra without twisting and stretching behind you is a dream when you’re feeling stiff and swollen post-op. 

To remove the need for fiddly fastening entirely, you could also consider a crop top style bra that will offer gentle, all over compression. You will need to be able to comfortably raise your arms over your head, so it might not be for everybody, but listen to your body and have various options available so that you can always be comfortable, whatever stage of recovery you are at.

 

Soft Breathable Fabric That Is Free Of Seams And Irritating Fabrics 

Soft cotton bras free from lace inserts or decorative seams will minimise the chance of irritation at scar sites and provide a breathable fabric that won’t make you sweat. It’s also a good idea to look out for added stretch to ensure an easy fit too. 

 

Wider Straps Or Under bands For Additional Support 

The majority of a bra’s support comes from the band and the straps provide additional support. By choosing a bra with wider bands and straps you will be distributing the weight of your breasts over a wider area which could be more comfortable when moving around post-surgery. 

Wider straps also tend to feature additional padding so they’re less likely to slip off your shoulders when properly adjusted and mean they won’t dig in and cause more pain which is the last thing you need when already feeling tender across your chest. 

 

Larger Sizing To Allow For Swelling 

Going back to our point above about knowing your bra size and having a fitting ahead of your surgery. It’s important to know your bra size before surgery so that you have a starting point when choosing the size of your post breast reduction bra. Depending on how drastic your breast reduction is, you may have to go up or down and need to allow for the additional swelling that you will have. 

 

Velcro Or Popper Straps

You may not have considered velcro or popper straps when bra shopping before but they make an excellent option for those that want to enjoy an easy strap adjustment without having to stretch to reach regular sliders. The ease of velcro adjustment and popper closures will allow you to increase and decrease strap support as your breasts heal following surgery. 

 

Bras With Silver & Antibacterial Properties 

Silver is known to boast antimicrobial properties and is a powerful weapon against microbes, bacterial and certain viruses. To make the most of this, our excellent Royce silver bra features silver fibres to provide anti-bacterial and thermo-regulating properties in a comfortable post-surgical bra with excellent surgical features including front fastening and easy opening cushioned poppers. 

Following your breast reduction surgery, you will need comfortable, supportive, but lightweight bras in fabric designed to reduce irritation. With over 20 surgical bras to choose from in our online store and our speedy delivery options, you can try on all the bras that you want to in the comfort of your own home when shopping with Uplifted Lingerie. Here are just a few of our favourites. 

 

Find Your Post Surgery Bra Here

 

Royal Eden - Front Fastening Bra 

The Royal Eden organic front fastening bra might be one of the comfiest post-surgery bras on the market and is an ideal bra to pack in your hospital bag. The front fastening zip is lined so will not irritate delicate skin and the wide under band is made from soft cotton with added stretch for ease of dressing and it also features soft cotton padded straps.

• Full cup,
• Non-wired
• Super soft fabric 
• Available in dual sizes 32B/C-44D/DD
• Available in Grey Marl
• 87% Cotton, 9% Elastine, 4% Polyamide

Available in dual sizes 32 B/C - 42D/DD, priced £28.33. SHOP NOW. 

Royce Comfi Bra - Front Fastening 

Another excellent candidate for those initial post-surgery days is the Royce Comfi bra. This super-soft, front fastening bra is designed to give superb comfort and a good shape with added pretty detailing around the edges. Made from high quality, breathable cotton with a touch of stretch. It's easy to fit, great to wear and comes with pure cotton lining pockets.

• Super Soft Front Fastening Bra
• Available in Black and White
• Made with Pima Cotton
• 98% Cotton
• 2% Elastine

Available in dual sizes 34B/C-44D/DD priced £26.67. SHOP NOW.

 

Are Surgical Bras Exempt From VAT?

Surgical bras purchased for your own use due to a medical illness or some surgical procedures are exempt from VAT in the UK. To qualify for this tax relief following a breast reduction, the surgery must have been for a medical need and not an elective, cosmetic surgery. 

If you are in any doubt, you should be able to clarify your position with your surgeon. The exemption covers post-surgery and mastectomy bras, swimwear and clothing designed to support you after qualifying surgery. 

 

Summary

We hope that this article has given you plenty of options to consider when choosing your surgical bra after breast reduction whilst outlining the key features to pay attention to when shopping for bras that will provide maximum post-op comfort.

Key Features For Post Surgical Bras 

• Non-wired
• Gentle compression/support
• Easy fastening - consider front fastening or crop top styles 
• Soft breathable fabric that is free of seams and irritating fabrics 
• Wider straps or under bands for additional support 
• Larger sizing to allow for swelling 
• Velcro straps and popper closures
• Silver fibres for antibacterial properties 

Whatever stage of your breast reduction surgery recovery that you’re at, you can find an excellent range of comfortable, supportive, easy fastening bras to choose from in the post-surgery range at Uplifted Lingerie. 

When you’re fully recovered and ready to shop for your new shape, we also stock plenty of pretty lingerie, practical bras and sports bras to fit and flatter breasts of all shapes and sizes. View the full range here. 

Finally, we wish anyone undergoing breast reduction surgery a positive and speedy recovery, and hope that you can look forward to celebrating your brand new, smaller sized chest when the swelling has gone down.