How to Determine Your Bra Size After a Breast Augmentation: Part 1

Did you know that 80% of American women are wearing the wrong size bra? These are women whose breasts have remained one consistent size throughout adulthood; the statistics are likely far worse with women who have received a breast augmentation.  When you’ve been walking into a lingerie store to purchase the same size for most of your life, knowing how to choose a bra that will offer the optimal fit and support can be challenging.

Here are some guidelines to help you find the right size bra after surgery:

1. Understand cup sizes can vary per brand and style.

For example, you may have had a breast augmentation to give you a C cup size. However, that doesn’t guarantee that every C cup bra that you pick up in a store will fit correctly without exception. Bra sizes are meant to be standardized, but just as when you’re buying a dress or a pair of pants, you’ll occasionally find yourself in a size you’re not used to calling your own. Therefore, it’s important to always try on new bras to make sure you get the right fit. If you find that a bra doesn’t offer enough support or that you have extra room in the cups when picking up a C cup bra, size up or size down accordingly.  Accept that the indications of size on the tag are merely guidelines and purchase your bra based on comfort and support!

2. Be professionally fitted.

Most lingerie and department stores have employees specialized in bra-fitting that can help you find your size in every style of bra available. They’ll measure both your band size and cup size to use as a basis to help select bras for you to try. Be prepared to model the bras during the process, as these fit specialists will need to visually make sure that each bra fits well and has enough support so that they may offer different sizes if necessary.

3. Determine your bra measurement at home.

It may also be helpful to get a ballpark measurement at home. Exhale and measure around your ribcage just below your breasts. Round to the nearest inch. If the number is even, add 4. If the number is odd, add 5. This is your band size. For your cup size, measure around the fullest part of your breasts. Subtract your band size from this measurement. The difference between the two measurement gives you your cup size. Here are the guidelines:

less than 1/2 inch – AA

1/2 inch to 1 inch – A

up to 2 inches – B

up to 3 inches – C

up to 4 inches – D

up to 5 inches – DD etc

But remember, measurements are only a basis to help you gather your bra sizes off the rack to try or to help your fit specialist know what to bring you. It’s likely that you’ll have to try on a few sizes in each and every bra you’re being fitted for during the process!

These steps should help you determine your bra size after a breast augmentation. In part 2, we’ll teach you how to tell that you’ve found the right bra!

Image via: Flickr Creative Commons

Tags: Alexander MD, bra size after breast augmentation, determining your bra size, finding the right size bra, getting fit for a bra, how to measure your bra size, what's your bra size

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 21st, 2010 at 1:43 am and is filed under Fashion and Clothing Tips after Surgery.