Compression garments after mammoplasty: how much to wear, how to wear, when to remove, how to wash

What is compression garments after mammoplasty?

Compression underwear is a type of underwear that is made from a special elastic and durable material that can fix the soft tissue of the mammary gland. It is often used to prevent various diseases after operations. Wearing such products makes it possible to significantly reduce the recovery period after surgery.

To make this type of product, most manufacturers use special knitwear. It should contain a high percentage of elastane. The latter provides the necessary level of stretching of the product and at the same time reliable compression. This makes wearing compression products very comfortable.

Since the product is in close contact with the human skin, the fabric contains natural and synthetic fibers that can quickly absorb sweat, reliably retain heat, and avoid static. More modern compression products also have antibacterial protection, which is especially important for women after surgery. You can read about contour plastic surgery here.

Depending on the degree of fixation (compression), compression products are divided into separate classes:

First grade. It has relatively weak compression - up to 21 mm Hg. Art. That is why it can be used for preventive purposes; a woman can independently select products of this class.
Second class. The compression force can reach up to 32 mmHg. Art. Products of this type are tighter and more difficult to put on than the first ones, but they are those that have an average degree of compression.
Third class. Used on the recommendation of a doctor. It has a more than average degree of compression - up to 46 mm Hg. Art. It is difficult to put on the body, and therefore it is appropriate to use special gels and creams that will make the process of putting it on and taking it off easier. Often third class compression products contain special laces and fasteners that make them easier to use.
Fourth grade . A product of this class provides the strongest possible compression – more than 46 mm Hg. Art. This type of knitwear is difficult to put on by yourself. It is used exclusively in individual cases.

What kind of compression garments a woman should wear after mammoplasty is determined solely by the doctor. During the rehabilitation process, the classes of recommended underwear may decrease.

Video of compression garments after mammoplasty:

What should you wear it for?

You need to wear compression garments after mammoplasty, first of all, in order to keep the mammary glands in their new place. During the first time after surgery, the breasts will gravitate to their previous location.

Special underwear can prevent seams from stretching. Without it, scars turn from thin and unnoticeable into wide and clearly noticeable, and are unlikely to disappear on their own.

In addition, special underwear must be worn due to some of its other functions:

Due to its strong fixation, a special bra is able to reliably hold the mammary gland at a height . This allows a woman to get a good breast shape in the future.
Constant breast massage. Thanks to this function, it is possible to quickly overcome soft tissue swelling. Fluid is removed from sensitive breasts after surgery faster, blood flow and lymph flow are significantly improved, and the wound healing process is, accordingly, smoother.
Control over the location of implants. Without these hosiery products, artificial parts can quickly fall below the level of the nipple. This effect is undesirable and unaesthetic, so surgery has to be performed again. Such knitwear prevents such a negative phenomenon.
Eliminates seam divergence . This is especially important when a woman begins an active life immediately after surgery.
Relieves stress from the spine and neck. This supporting function is especially valuable when a woman increases her breast size not by 1, but by 2 or more sizes. The muscles, ribs, and spine need to get used to the sudden increase in mammary glands gradually. Without this knitwear, women often experience migraines, back pain, and a feeling of heaviness under the ribs.
Protects soft tissues from injury . After surgery, the breasts are especially sensitive. Even the simplest stroking on it becomes painful and unpleasant. A protective bra will protect the mammary glands from unnecessary contact.

In the video, how long should you wear compression garments after mammoplasty:

Of course, in addition to special ones, compression should also perform the usual functions of lingerie, in particular, making the breasts not so noticeable under clothes.

How to choose a corset

The corset after mammoplasty should be selected in accordance with the compression class determined by the doctor. In addition, it is very important that it remains:

comfortable and as convenient as possible for the woman herself;
loose enough to allow air to pass through, but not to squeeze tissues or blood vessels;
hypoallergenic so as not to cause irritation and itching;
invisible to others. What is better: plasma lifting or biorevitalization can be found out in this article.

When choosing a bra for her own use, a woman needs to pay attention to some other nuances:

Fabric structure . Mammologists advise choosing products that are mostly made of natural fibers. Thus, sweat will be absorbed easily, the skin itself will be provided with air, and the greenhouse effect will be eliminated. It is good if the bra contains a large percentage of elastane. Thanks to him, knitwear will be able to perform all its functions as successfully as possible.
Size. A woman should definitely take into account the new volume of her breasts, but she should not buy too loose bras. In this case, they will not be able to perform their main function, and the breasts will fall out of the cup that is too loose. It is important that both the volume of the cup and the length of the straps meet the needs and do not pinch the fabric.
Textile feel . The use of compression should bring relief to a woman, so it is imperative to pay attention to the softness of the fabric and the accuracy of its implementation. The nipples should not be rubbed or irritated. It is important that the bra does not contain any irritating elements.
Appearance . Despite the fact that such a bra performs a therapeutic function, it, like all other elements of a woman’s wardrobe, must be neat, beautiful from the outside, and successfully hide the nipples.

A reliable compression bra, which is used after breast surgery, must have a special tape on top. It also has special fasteners. Such a strap should cover the upper fields of the mammary gland and provide a more secure fixation. During the first 3 weeks after surgery, it is prohibited to unfasten the top band.

It can be difficult for a woman to choose the most suitable underwear on her own. In such cases, a plastic surgeon comes to the rescue. The complexity of postoperative recovery and the expected result are taken into account. The same surgeon can advise on non-surgical and filler rhinoplasty.

Recommendations for selection

Specialized underwear corresponds to its compression class, but has a different composition of natural and synthetic fabrics, so consumers should pay attention to the following features:

Comfort and convenience reflected in the details of the linen. An increase in breast size will require wide bra straps, but after breast augmentation it does not oblige you to choose underwear with the widest straps, and vice versa.
The product should not restrict air access to tissues to prevent diaper rash. Breathable underwear has a high content of natural fibers that better absorb drops of sweat, preventing the underwear from being damp and rough.
The edges of the product should be rounded, eliminating squeezing of tissues and blood vessels.
The presence of natural fibers will eliminate bust irritation, itching, diaper rash and causing discomfort. The high content of synthetic fibers does not make the underwear breathable, which promotes the formation of microbes that cause additional inflammatory processes.
Smooth surfaces and small lined seams allow the underwear to fit better to the body, making it less noticeable and more comfortable.
In addition to studying the composition on the packaging, the consumer has the right to examine the item of underwear by touch, but only in accordance with the consumer's rules (without trying on), paying attention to the exclusion of seams on the cup, which can press and rub the breasts. The cup material should be as soft as possible and can be made from a separate material with the highest composition of natural fibers.
The straps are selected depending on how large the breast has been enlarged. The straps perform the function of holding the breasts at the required height so that the tissues of the thoracic region do not stretch under the weight of the implants, and the breasts do not become saggy. The presence of a strap length adjuster is also necessary, as in a regular bra.
The cup size must correspond to the marking on the packaging, the product itself and that received after mammoplasty. A mismatch in size will have a number of negative consequences, so the cup should be:

deep, placing the bust completely;
eliminate unnecessary seams, including lace and rhinestones;
have soft edges that do not cut or put pressure on the fabric.

The bones play an important role in the formation of the round shape of the new breast, so they should be equally rounded and high to support the breast on all sides. Discomfort from underwires does not allow excluding them from the product, but allows the additional use of bandage pads to reduce pressure and rubbing on the body while wearing. It is recommended to place bandages on the seams in the area of the bones, so they will heal without inflammation and separation.

As an exception, one-time use of a bra with removable straps is allowed. This is allowed only if absolutely necessary and is not recommended during the first month after mammoplasty.

When purchasing underwear, you need to know what underwear to choose and how to wear it correctly. Comfortable underwear should not put too much pressure on the torso and should allow the breasts to move freely when bending over, as well as allowing them to fall out of the cups. The right bra will provide you with beautiful breasts after a successful operation.

How much should you use after breast augmentation surgery?

A woman cannot decide on her own how long to wear compression garments and when to change them to another option. The decision on this matter should be made only by the surgeon who performed the operation, as well as for other operations, be it correction of the wings of the nose or rhinoplasty of the tip of the nose. In this case, the woman’s age, the volume of her new breasts, the condition of the body, the complexity of restoration and the quality of the soft tissues are taken into account. As a rule, the older the patient, the more difficult the scar healing process is, so she has to wear compression garments longer.

In the traditional standard version, every woman after mammoplasty should use compression garments for at least a month. In this case, you can remove the support bra only under the supervision of a doctor or nurse who is performing dressings or examining postoperative scars. To avoid having to go under the knife again, a woman must follow all the recommendations of the plastic surgeon to limit physical activity on the upper body and arms. It is not recommended to make sudden movements, remove bra straps or unfasten it.

Starting from the second month, the doctor may allow the woman to do without compression garments at night (when the body position prevents sagging of the mammary glands). In more successful situations, from the second month it is allowed to use underwear with a lower compression class. Underwear with a strong hold, meanwhile, remains necessary when playing sports or doing some physically demanding work.

You should not switch to using regular underwear immediately, but gradually. In most cases, doctors allow it about a year after breast augmentation. Sometimes you need to wear compression garments for 1.5-2 years. At the same time, the bra, which is put on for the first time after compression garments, must also be quite strong and reliable. Doctors have special requirements for this detail.

Sleeping on your back

How it happens.

Sleeping on your back is a mandatory requirement in the first month after mammoplasty. In the first 2 weeks, it is not recommended to sleep even on your side - this position of the body can lead to excess pressure on the implant, which is located on the lower side, and cause it to dislodge.

It is important to know.

Sleeping on your back is one of the most “inconvenient” requirements for going through the recovery period, especially if you were used to sleeping on your stomach or side before mammoplasty. Since breast surgery is always a planned operation, and you know the date of its implementation, try to get used to this sleeping position in advance. This will significantly facilitate the “moral” aspect of the recovery period and allow you to rest more comfortably. There is no need to worry that, having fallen soundly asleep, you will accidentally turn into a “forbidden” position. The soreness in the mammary glands that is present in the first few days will not allow you to do this or will immediately wake you up. And in the following days, you can use a simple but reliable technique: place towels or thin blankets rolled up on the sides of the body. They will effectively limit your movements during sleep and prevent you from rolling over onto your stomach or side.