Post-operative Compression Garments following DIEP / TUG Breast Reconstruction 

Before you come into hospital for your operation, think about the clothes you’ll wear in hospital and what you’ll go home in. Loose fitting clothing with front fastenings and trousers with a loose waist band may be easier and more comfortable to wear in the first few days following your operation. Consider what will be easy to get on your feet to safely walk in. Bring appropriate clothing into hospital with you. 

Bras 

It’s important that you wear a supportive, front-fastening, non-underwired bra for the first 6 weeks following your surgery. This needs to be worn day and night, so we recommend buying at least 2 bras. You may also need to purchase a few different sizes, as your breasts will reduce in size once swelling has subsided.  

We don’t recommend you wear an underwired bra until you’re at least 6 weeks post-op.  

Compression shorts / High waisted briefs 

Compression garments are required to help support your tummy wounds (for DIEPs) or thigh wounds (for TUGs) following surgery, as well as helping to reduce swelling, pain and promote healing. We recommend high waisted shorts that come far up over your belly button and cover most of your thigh. If you’re having a TUG/DUG reconstruction, you may need a slightly longer garment that comes down to your knees, or just below your knees.  

Please note – some surgeons will provide you with an abdominal binder following your DIEP surgery. Your plastics specialist nurse will inform you if this is the case for you.