When recovering from breast augmentation, one of the most asked questions is ‘when can I wear an underwire or push-up bra?’ Patients are always anxious to try on clothing that accentuates their new form! Unfortunately, if you do so too soon it can slow down or even derail the healing process. One concern is if you wear an upward pushing bra, that the implant may heal in that high position and create an abnormally accentuated upper cleavage…this may look good in some outfits, but is not very natural looking and may look out of place in other situations. Also, underwire bras put pressure on the skin along the fold of the breast, often where the incision is. Usually this area is numb for a few months after surgery, and if the wire rubs it too much you may not feel it before it can cause damage. I have had patients actually develop an ulcer or hole in the skin from wearing too tight of an underwire bra. This can cause worse scarring or even exposure if the implant (necessitating implant removal). I recommend to my patients not to wear an underwire bra for at least 3 months after surgery. Usually by then the sensation has begun to normalize and you can feel if the wire rubs on the incision or if it is too tight. I also suggest checking after a couple of hours with a new bra to make sure it is not causing redness or irritation, and be ready with a spare bra to change into if you find this problem. The last thing you want to do is spoil the results you have worked so hard to achieve!