This is Dr. Lee Jinho, a plastic surgery specialist at AB Plastic Surgery. Today, I would like to tell you about wearing corrective bra after breast surgery, including how much corrective bra you should wear after breast  surgery, whether it is necessary to wear it, and whether it can be replaced with a nipple patch.

Q. I had breast surgery and was told to wear corrective bra for the next three months, but there are times when it shows through my clothes. Is it okay to wear a nipple patch without corrective underwear 2-3 times a week?

 
Why you should wear a corrective bra after breast surgery

After any plastic surgery other than breast surgery, it is recommended to follow the post-surgery care instructions provided by the hospital or specialist. For implant insertion, it is necessary to wear corrective underwear for approximately 3 months to maintain the position of the implant and the space removed within the breast. Since each individual's breast characteristics, the type and characteristics of the implant used for breast augmentation, and the surgical method of each surgeon are different, the way to wear corrective underwear may also vary accordingly. In cases where it is necessary to prevent upper convexity after breast augmentation, there are cases where an upper band must be used concurrently for a certain period of time, and conversely, there are cases where an upper band is not necessary. Additionally, there are cases where it is okay to wear corrective underwear for 2 months, but in cases where it is absolutely necessary to prevent positional deformation, such as implants falling out, there are cases where you must wear them for 3 months. To achieve a pretty and natural breast shape, it is important to follow the instructions on how to wear corrective underwear and for how long to wear them.

 
Is it possible to wear bra other than corrective bra after breast surgery?

As mentioned above, the main purpose of wearing corrective bra is to secure the breast pocket and implants. Although it may vary depending on the patient, you can generally consider wearing corrective bra for 2 to 3 months after breast augmentation. However, it is not necessary to wear the corrective bra 24 hours a day for the 2-3 months I mentioned. You can wear a sports bra or other bra for short periods of time when going out, but you will need to check if it is possible. 
Usually, 1 to 2 months after breast surgery, we explain to most patients that it is okay. It is safe to visit the hospital one month after surgery to check the progress and follow the hospital's instructions, such as whether it is possible to wear a sports bra or other underwear and, if so, when.
Since corrective bra is usually worn tightly after breast surgery, it is often uncomfortable in many ways. Since it is worn to stabilize the pocket and the implant, if it is worn comfortably, its effectiveness will be halved. Even if it is uncomfortable, we recommend that you wear the corrective bra exactly as instructed to ensure beautiful breasts. 

If you have any further questions about wearing corrective bra for breast surgery, please call 010-4393-1298 or contact AB Plastic Surgery on WhatsApp using the same number above, for more detailed consultation.

Writer.Writer.Plastic Surgery Specialist Dr. Lee Jin Ho