Tops To Wear After Breast Augmentation
When you’re shopping for new tops after breast augmentation, try looking for tops with a loose fit or extra fabric in the shoulders. These will help mask any scars you may have in that area. To create a perfect silhouette under clothes, choose tops that are comfortable but not too baggy. Also, think about which hemline works best for your new shape and body type so you can try different styles before buying!
In this guide, we review the aspects of Tops To Wear After Breast Augmentation, must haves after breast augmentation, when can i wear a normal shirt after breast augmentation, and When can I go braless after a breast augmentation?

Tops To Wear After Breast Augmentation
After breast augmentation, you may have to buy a few new tops. Here are some tips and tricks for easy shopping!
Sports bras
Sports bras are a good choice for exercising after breast augmentation. They should have wide, adjustable straps and a snug fit. The bra should stay in place without riding up or down during your workout session, as this can cause irritation to the incision sites. A high neckline is also important so that it doesn’t rub against your incisions when you move around during exercise.
Tanks, camis, and tees
- Wear a tank top or camisole under your shirt. You can find some great ones that are soft, lightweight, and breathable at places like Target or WalMart for less than $10 each. This will help keep you cool in the warm weather and prevent chafing from your bra straps rubbing against your skin all day long (which is super annoying!).
- Don’t wear a tight bra: If you’re going to be wearing something that’s low cut or revealing on top of showing off these new assets of yours then it might be best not to wear one at all! The less restrictive clothing options mean more comfort while still keeping things looking classy–and who doesn’t want that?
Button downs and wrap tops
Button downs and wrap tops are good for covering the scars. Wrap tops are great for showing off your new breasts, but they can be worn with or without a bra. If you’re not sure what kind of top will work best for you, try on some button downs and see how they look with different bras (or no bra).
Off-the-shoulder and strapless tops
- Off-the-shoulder tops are not a good idea.
- Strapless tops are not a good idea.
Instead, look for bras that offer support and comfort without sacrificing style.
After you have had breast augmentation, you may have to buy a few new tops.
After you have had breast augmentation, you may have to buy a few new tops. You may need to buy a sports bra, button down shirt or tank top. You may also want to consider buying a wrap top if you want to show off the results of your surgery without showing too much skin.
must haves after breast augmentation
Previously, we presented our first three must-haves in preparing for recovery following your breast augmentation: enlisting help, gathering pillows, and preparing a recovery kit. Today, we have three more must-haves to round out your recovery plan.
Comfortable clothes and footwear
After breast augmentation, you will be sent home with compression bandages or a surgical bra. Your upper body will be sore, and you will have restrictions on how high and how far you can move your arms. Wear something comfortable on the day of surgery, and consider wearing a top that buttons or zips up the front that has a bit of extra room to accommodate post-operative bandages and your new breast size. Avoid wearing tops that have to be pulled off over your head. Even your most comfortable and roomiest t-shirts and sweatshirts won’t be easy to take off in the first few days after surgery.
During the first week or two after breast augmentation, consider comfort over fashion when choosing your outfits. A few days prior to surgery, go through your closet and pull out every piece of comfortable clothing that you secretly wish you could wear outside the house, such as your favorite yoga pants, your old zip-front sweatshirts and track jackets, and even your husband’s old and comfortable button front flannel shirts. You will want to select clothes that are easy to get on and off without twisting your body or lifting your arms above your head. You will also want comfortable clothing since you will likely be lounging on the couch or napping in bed as your body recovers from surgery.
Ice packs and cold compresses
Prior to surgery, Dr. Hlavacek will discuss your recovery plan, including using ice packs or cold compresses to help ease swelling and pain. Prepare ahead of time by ensuring that your freezer is stocked with several compresses, and have a stack of tea towels or dish towels on hand to wrap around each compress.
Also, look for gel packs, which are flexible and can be easily positioned around your sore breasts. Having a set of between four and six gel packs on hand is ideal. You will most likely be using two at a time — one for each breast — but it will be helpful to have an additional pair or two in the freezer so that you don’t have to wait for the first set to refreeze between uses. Be sure to put your ice packs or compresses in the freezer the night before surgery so that they are ready to use right away.
Be sure to have plenty of tea towels or dish clothes available to wrap around your compresses. Putting the cold compress or ice pack directly on your skin can cause damage to the skin itself, and may feel too cold to be comfortable. Wrap each compress in the towel just enough to protect your skin, and be sure to follow Dr. Hlavacek’s specific instructions for your recovery about how and when to use your compresses. The more closely you follow your recovery instructions, the faster you will heal.
High fiber foods that are easy to prepare
Because you will be restricted from lifting your arms or moving too much during the first part or your recovery, stock your refrigerator and freezer with foods that are easy to prepare. During your first evening at home, and possibly the following morning, your stomach may be sensitive as a side effect of your anesthesia and the trauma of surgery. Soft and easy-to-eat foods such as gelatin, puddings, applesauce, and smoothies are easy to eat and digest. Before surgery, prepare meals that easy to reheat. Stock the freezer with prepared meals, or purchase healthy frozen options from the grocery store.
Stock your pantry with high fiber foods as well. Post-surgery pain medications are often associated with the unfortunate side effect of constipation. To prevent or relieve constipation, make sure your pre-surgery grocery shopping includes stocking up on white grape juice, prune juice, canned peaches, and prunes. Avoid bananas and rice until you are done with prescription pain medications, as these two foods tend to increase the possibility of constipation. If a high fiber diet isn’t enough and you are considering using an over-the-counter stool softener, discuss using these products with Dr. Hlavacek first. These medicines can actually make your constipation worse when used improperly.
Additional recovery concerns?
Please call Kansas City Surgical Arts at 816-286-4126 today to learn more about breast augmentation, to schedule a consult, or to have your recovery questions answered. No question is too small! We look forward to accompanying you on your breast augmentation journey.
when can i wear a normal shirt after breast augmentation
What are the Post-Breast Augmentation Clothes
Since it is most likely that the implant will be in a submuscular position, there is likely to be some discomfort with the movement of the pectoralis muscle. Thus, patients should limit the movement of their arms away from their body, which will stretch the chest. This can create a little discomfort. Thus, we find that most women will initially want easy on and off garments such as a zip-up hoody or button-up blouses. These tend to be the easiest for the first week of surgery.
During this time, we will provide a bra for the majority of patients to wear. This is a relatively snug, front-zip bra with a wide and soft band preventing too much irritation to the incision. Usually, this is an issue with patients who choose a breast crease incision since this is the spot where the band of the bra is most compressive. That way there is less risk of incisional irritation and possible breakdown.
After the first week
Most patients can wear any item of clothing they choose. However, the bra is restricted to a soft, compressive sports bra for the majority of the time for the first three weeks. Patients will have a greater range of motion and find it easier to get into any outfit they choose. Patients can find different sports bras if needed, but it is best to check with your doctor to ensure the fit is proper and allowing for an uneventful healing process.
At three weeks
Patients can change their bra to a soft, non-underwire and non-push-up style during the day or at work. Once they return home, patients should return to wearing a sports bra again to prevent prolonged compression on the scar. This could lead to scar irritation and unfavorable scarring. Patients are asked to avoid lace bras or more structured lingerie as this again will distort the breast and possibly displace the implant from the pocket created in surgery.
When to wear normal clothes
Once a patient has reached six weeks from their surgical date, they can wear any article of clothing without restriction. We normally recommend that patients avoid any clothing that is causing them pain or discomfort. Again, this may be an indication of an improper fit and can lead to issues with the healing process. Many patients find that a comfortable sports bra is the most effective choice since it takes time to adjust to your new anatomy. Keep in mind that this is a generalized schedule and each patient may need a variation on this timeline. This timeline should be based on the procedure and how it was performed.
If this is a revision procedure, there are indications for patients to wear an underwire bra early in the recovery process as pocket surgery may need reinforcement. Your doctor should guide you with specific limitations and requirements through the entire course of your recovery.
To know more about your options for breast augmentation surgery, contact our San Diego office at 858-638-9800 to find out what options are right for you.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
When can I go braless after a breast augmentation
Breast lift and breast augmentation procedures are different in nature. Still, it is a common combination for women in Beverly Hills, CA who want to enhance or change their natural breasts’ appearance. Breast augmentation will change the size, while a breast lift will change the firmness and overall shape. Women don’t want to put a breast implant into an already saggy, drooping breast, as it will only drop further after the augmentation process. Together, both breast treatments can enhance a woman’s natural breasts to provide a beautiful result. Read on to learn more about recovery after breast lift with augmentation from board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Hakimi in Beverly Hills, CA, or feel free to schedule an online or in-person consultation with Dr. Hakimi today.
The reason why a woman’s breasts change
A woman’s natural breasts are composed of ligaments and fatty tissue containing no muscle mass. No amount of weight training or exercise will change the shape. There are different reasons why a woman’s breasts change over time, as breast skin laxity can become stretched or thinner over time. In our Beverly Hills, CA surgical center, we find that the most common reasons a woman’s natural breasts change are due to:
The uplifting truth about a breast lift and breast augmentation procedure
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures done in the United States. Since the introduction of breast implants in the 1960s, women have been choosing breast augmentation to add more volume and shape to their natural breasts. Since all women are different, in some cases, a patient may need a breast lift to offer a better implant insertion platform, especially if dealing with the loss of shape or volume. Since a breast lift doesn’t provide volume to the natural breast, it is essential to have good shape and location on the chest wall before adding breast implants’ weight. During a consultation, Dr. Hakimi will examine your breasts and give his expert advice about whether you need a breast lift before augmentation to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Recovery after breast lift and augmentation
Common side effects after a breast lift with augmentation include bruising and swelling. Visible swelling should begin to subside within three weeks, while bruising should fully dissipate within two weeks. Patients can usually return to work, if a sedentary or desk job, after 14 days. However, patients should avoid vigorous activity or exercise for 3 – 4 weeks or until cleared by Dr. Hakimi. The breast’s shape will change during recovery after breast lift with augmentation, and the final result will be evident in about 2 – 3 months once the breast implants have settled into place.
When can I go braless after breast augmentation and lift?
After any type of breast surgery, whether it is a breast lift with augmentation or a breast reduction, the patient must wear a supportive bra and follow specific post-operative guidelines. Is it mandatory to wear this supportive bra? The answer is yes. They provide the necessary support, help with pain management, and allow the breast to heal properly after surgery, much like compression garments after a tummy tuck or liposuction. It is essential for easy and quicker recovery after breast lift and augmentation for the breasts not to move and promote good healing. Most patients can go braless after about six weeks, but it should be on special occasions and not daily to maintain optimal results.
If you are considering a breast lift and breast augmentation procedure, Dr. Michael Hakimi is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA. He can help determine what you need to enhance your natural breasts, so you feel more confident about how you look. If you are ready to consider breast enhancement surgery, contact our office today and schedule your consultation with Dr. Hakimi.