After surgery, your doctor will most likely advise you to stay away from underwire bras. A lot of women who undergo breast operations will deal with some swelling, soreness and stress while they recover, and an underwire bra is not going to help.
Your best choice is a seamless bra, or preferably a compression bra, that will provide support and comfort as you heal. Your doctor might provide you with one, but let’s be honest – when it comes to your comfort, and a garment you are going to be wearing for weeks, you’re going to want to get something comfortable and high quality for yourself.
Never shopped for a compression bra before? Don’t worry. This guide will walk you through all the important things you need to look for in a compression bra, and discuss some of the best options on the market in 2021.
How to Choose the Best Compression Bra
The best bra for you is going to come down to your personal preference, as well as your body type and the operation you are recovering from. But there are a few common features that we think are an absolute must for all compression bras. Here are a few tips to give you a better idea of what to look out for.
Different Types
Obviously, there is more than one kind of compression bra out there. “Compression bra” is actually more of a blanket statement for any kind of bra that will safely compress your breasts, whether for athleticism, appearance or recovery.
A sports bra, for example, is one of the most common types of compression bras. Some women are perfectly happy to use a sports bra as their recovery bra, but others might find it a little uncomfortable – especially immediately after surgery.
A compression breast is a slightly bigger bra, that will cover most of your midriff and generally closes with hooks or Velcro in the front. These can provide extra support, and may be recommended by your doctor, depending on where your healing incisions are.
A breast band is a good choice for keeping implants from shifting right after surgery. They also give you a little more shape and support than other compression bras, but without the underwire. A breast band is one of the most commonly recommended garments for recovering from breast augmentation.
Finally, a front closure bra is probably the most common type of post-surgery compression bra. These give you support, they are comfortable and easy to put on and take off without irritating sore areas. Most of the bras on our list are front closure bras – they are perfect for any surgery recovery and provide the most comfort.
Adjustability
One of the most important requirements of your compression bra is adjustable size. You want to make sure you are going to be able to adjust your bra to your unique body shape, so you can minimize any discomfort while you are healing. This is why we wouldn’t normally recommend a sports bra for recovery, especially right after surgery.
A compression bra with adjustable straps will make sure you are not putting too much upward pressure on your breasts, while still getting the right amount of support. If you choose a front closure bra, it also helps to have a few rows of hook closures, so that you can adjust it if it is too tight or loose. This is especially important for women who experience swelling after their operation.
Material
This is a big one – make sure the material of your compression bra is breathable, comfortable and machine washable.
Light, breathable material is important for healing incisions, so that they can heal faster. It is also important just for the sake of your own comfort – remember, this is going to be a slightly bulkier bra than what you normally wear, you don’t want to be trapped under thick, hot fabric. You are also going to be in your compression bra day-in and day-out for weeks, so make sure that whatever material it is made out of is soft and comfortable against your skin.
Machine washable is another huge plus (obviously). You’re going to be wearing it a lot, so it should be easy to clean. For all of this, we recommend an elastic blend like a spandex / polyester or spandex / lycra mix. Stay away from heavier cotton.
Top Compression Bras of 2021
Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s run through some of the best compression bras you can purchase right now. These are all a little different in shape and style, but perfect for recovery.
1. Marena Post-Surgical Compression Bra
Highlights & Specs
Summary
Marena Recovery is one of our favorite brand names for post-surgery garments. This bra is engineered to help you recover, it has a high fit under your arms to keep you from chaffing and a high back for extra support. The fabric is super soft and breathable – it’s easy to wear this bra all day without getting uncomfortable.
The fit is a lot like a sports bra, with a high back and thick straps. It will be noticeable under most lighter tops, so this might not be the best choice if you’re looking for more discretion.
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2. Burvogue Post-Surgery Front Closure Brassiere
Highlights & Specs
Summary
This is another sports bra style front closure bra. It is a little lighter than the Marena Recovery bra, with thinner straps and a lower back. The straps are also adjustable, and so is the front closure – a huge plus for comfort. Cotton lining in the cups makes it a little softer – but it does add some heaviness to the fabric.
Our favorite thing about this bra is that it is versatile. It is light and comfortable that you might just want to keep using it as an ordinary sports bra after your recovery.
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3. Annette Post-Surgical Softcup Wirefree Bra
Highlights & Specs
Summary
Of all the compression bras on our list, this one probably looks and fits the most like a normal bra. It has a high racerback and straps that are thin over the shoulder and wider in the front for more support. It has soft cup padding that will give you a little more shape than other flat compression bras, but still without an underwire.
The fabric blend is comfortable, nice and light, and there is a simple hook and eye front closure. One downside is that the closure isn’t adjustable – but the fabric is elastic, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
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4. Kimikal Post-Surgery Sports Bra
Highlights & Specs
Summary
This sports bra style front closure bra is one of the best for a more active recovery. Just because you are recovering, doesn’t mean you have to be laying around. This will help you jog, play, dance or whatever fits into your routine without getting uncomfortable.
It isn’t as discrete as others, with thick straps and a high back, but it does have molded, underwire-free cups for a little more shape.
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5. Carefix Implant Stabilizer Band
Highlights & Specs
Summary
This is a breast band, not a front closure recovery bra like the other ones on our list. It is meant to hold implants in place after a breast augmentation surgery. This band is ideal for right after your surgery, to keep the implants from shifting and to keep you comfortable.
We don’t recommend this (or any breast band) as your long-term recovery bra, but if your doctor recommends a band, the Carefix is a great way to go. It is nice and light, simple and supportive.
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6. CzSalus Post-op Bra
Highlights & Specs
Summary
This bra isn’t the sexiest, but it is really comfortable and super supportive – perfect for the first few days after your surgery. It has an easy to open front closure, thick adjustable straps and a high back for full support. It’s specifically designed to prevent infection and help your incisions heal faster.
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7. Yianna Post-Surgical Bra
Highlights & Specs
Summary
This is a racer back style sports bra that is meant to help you move around comfortably while you recover. It fits and feels a lot like an ordinary sports bra, but it has adjustable straps and a hook and eye front closure.
Our favorite part – the fabric of this bra is actually infused with soothing vitamin E, to help your skin heal faster.
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8. Angel Care Compression Post-Operative Bra
Highlights & Specs
Summary
The last bra on our list is specifically designed for recovery from a number of breast operations – another perfect choice for the days right after your surgery. It’s comfortable and supportive, but it is bulky and a little heavier than you might want for long-term wear.
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Conclusion
Remember, when it comes to your body’s recovery, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all. Talk to your doctor and pick out the best bra for your needs, comfort, body shape and surgery.
Our recommendation? Try out a sturdier, medical grade bra for those critical first few days, then switch over to something a little lighter and more discrete for second stage recovery.