Going Braless with Implants: Good or Bad?

By ALLISON GOODLIN

It is part of the morning routine: wake up, shower, put on that bra. As women putting on a bra is something we do every day, rain or shine. Is it really necessary? After breast implants your breasts may be perkier than they were before surgery. Do you actually need to wear that bra every day?

While skipping your bra for the occasional backless cocktail dress probably won’t ruin your implants, going braless long term isn’t recommended. Your breasts are fighting a battle with gravity. The extra support of a bra might be the secret weapon they need to win. Don’t skip that bra!

Weight Matters- Are Your Implants Saline or Silicone?

The weight of your breasts can contribute to the amount they sag over time. Larger natural breasts are heavier than smaller breasts and tend to droop and sag more. Your fat and mammary tissue ratio also makes a difference (fat is lighter than breast tissue). The same holds true for breast implants. Larger implants are heavier and you’ve got to be more careful. The type of implant you select also impacts the weight of your breasts. Saline implants are heavier than silicone.

Dr. Erika Sato, a respected Houston area plastic surgeon, explains, “There are several factors that cause breast sagging including age, genetics, breast size, bra wearing habits, smoking status, and pregnancy/breastfeeding. Ptosis, or breast sagging, is more likely in patients with large breasts or large breast implants. Wearing a bra regularly can relieve some of the weight from your breasts helping to support the tissues that hold the breasts up. While bra wearing can’t completely eliminate breast sagging, it can make a noticeable difference in how quickly it occurs and how severe it is.”

In fact, many women first get breast implants to combat some of the sagging that occurs with age and their post-pregnancy bodies.

What Can You Do to Reduce Breast Sagging?

While many of the factors that contribute to breast sagging are things you have no control over, there are a few things you can do to keep your breasts perkier. Here are some easy options to try:

• Try a Sleep Bra- The jury’s still out on whether or not a sleep bra can make a difference in breast sagging after augmentation, but the general consensus currently is, “It can’t hurt.” If you have large implants, loose breast tissue, or are otherwise worried about breast sagging, consider a sleep bra. These bras provide less support than a day-use bra and can be quite comfortable to sleep in.
• Stop Smoking- Smoking is one of the biggest factors that influence breast sagging and it is something you can have complete control over. If you smoke, stop; your breasts will thank you.
• Wear a Supportive Bra- Give your implants the support they need with a high quality supportive bra. This guide from Lingerie Briefs will help you select quality bras post-breast augmentation. It is a helpful resource for all women with implants, whether you’ve had them for just a few months or years.
• Follow Your Surgeon’s Recommendations Post-Surgery- The first few months after breast augmentation are a critical time for your breasts. Following your surgeon’s recommendations to the ‘T’ after surgery will help your breasts to heal properly which can lead to better implant placement for years to come. Skipping your bra for a day or two once you’re fully healed from surgery isn’t going to lead to massive breast sagging, but skipping your post-surgical bra for a few days right after surgery might.

When you’re faced with the choice of bra or no bra with implants, opt for the bra when you can. Plastic surgeons recommend patients that have implants should get them re-adjusted every 10 years, however, this one simple step can help your implants stay in place longer. With all the wonderful options that are available, why would you want to skip it?