Told not to use binder or compression garment at all????

i had lipo/body sculpting a week ago and the doc said he took less than half a liter of fat (i'm fairly thin and fit anyway) so I'm wondering if I need to keep wearing the torture device? (compression garment?) The first few days if I tried to stand up without it I felt like my insides were falling out, but now I feel almost normal. I've had virtually no bruising and no swelling that I can see. I'd welcome a doctor's opinion.... how important is it to wear a compression garment if only a small amount of fat is removed?

g force, my doctor never recommended a compression garment. I actually had a TT 24 years ago...then the doctor had me wear one. My last year the doctor didn't and my results are just as good. (Had a thyroid problem that went undiagnosed and gained 30 lbs which is why I had it done over. Lost the 30!)

I have five kids :) and the youngest are twins. They do a number on your stomach with the loose skin! Pain was never a problem for me. Getting in and out of bed took some doing for a while though.

I don't think it's a must. It's just a matter of maintaining the absolute best results. Once the tightness of the inner girdle softens ( a matter of months for upper abs) the best maintenance I've found is sit ups. But I'm sure others don't bother...the results are awesome anyway.

after a tummy tuck is it a must that you have to work out?

I did have a drain for the first three or four days. You're lucky to be able to skip that part!

My doc said they were going to wrap me with bandages and then teach me how to wrap them myself. They didnt want me wearing one either...Interesting to see others are being told the same thing. I was also told I wouldnt have drains? This is new to me...

And I forgot to mention the large dent in my right hip above the hip bone. Really ugly.
I just don't know what is right and wrong. And the promise that I could return to work the next day, not a chance was that correct!

Well I wore a body binder for the first few weeks and I am sure it helps push the swelling down and boy is it constrictive and like torture. I would throw it off in the middle of the night when I was able to physically do so. I had an unusual lot of torturous pain (so I am told) which made me feel horrible! And now I am having a really horrible pain in my left lower abdominal area and to the groin. When I walk thru the mall, it just increases. I am in tears. The left mid and lower quadrant is swollen and feels like a spasm. My stomach feels and looks uneven and abnormal. Not to mention, the cellulite look on the back of my legs is still there and doesn't look any diff to me. All and all the lipo/tummy tuck has been the biggest disappointment that I have ever experienced and physical torture. I don't know what is normal, but I can see futuristic second opinion and possible corrective surgery coming up. This from the "top plastic surgeon." I pray that I am wrong.

I had lipo with my TT and still no binder recommended. He said after six weeks (can't remember exactly) I could wear one if it made me feel better but that it couldn't have any seams in front, because he'd seen the seam lines imbed permanently into the healing skin before. And he was against them because of blood constriction for the first few weeks. Got a great result, so I guess it works!

I had mine last week (extended) and my doctor is only for their use in the case of lipo. No binder since day 1 for me.

I didn't have as much swelling as some people talk about even without wearing a compression garment. But six weeks was noticeably better and by twelve I didn't have any at all.

any comments on how long it takes for your skin to re tighten

I woke up in the recovery room after surgery with my "girdle" on. It must have been quite a site to see the nurses putting it on me while unconscious! I have to wear it for 12 weeks post op and I'm 3 weeks and 2 days now. At week 2 it started to loosen up a bit so I bought an adjustable wrap one which I love. The tighter the better. I couldn't imagine a doctor that would advise against wearing one-it really controls my swelling. Oh when will the swelling end???????????

Interesting. I think I had to wear one last time for six weeks but I don't recall there ever being any swelling. I thought that might come about because of the lipo with it this time? The nurse did say he might have me wear Spanx later on. I consider any time of girdle as sheer hell so hoping not to! But if the swelling is as bad as I hear maybe it'll feel better.

So there is still significant swelling three weeks PO? I'm wondering when I can fit back into regular clothes!

My PS insists on the binders. He said the more compression the better. I am envious of those that don't have to wear one. I put my trust in him and I will follow his instructions. That being said, they truly are torture devices and if you are lucky to have a doctor that doesn't use them be happy about it. It looks like we all heal either way. I did spend the day yesterday without any on as I was boating and wearing my swim suit all day. It was heaven not to be bound up however, by the end of the day I was extremely swollen (3 weeks PO).

Whew, I'm glad I found this site. I had an abdominalplasty 20+ years ago after the birth of my twins and I had to wear a compression garment at that time. This time I'm having a mini tummy tuck with lipo and was a bit worried when he said no compression garment. Nice to know other docs are saying the same thing. Am also having lipo of the abdomen and flanks and wondering how much pain and swelling to be prepared for? I never had swelling at all last time around and when some talk about swelling 7 months out I'm getting a little concerned! How long before I'll be able to get back into my regular clothes?

I was unsure about not wearing any garment. My doc does not use them and after reading the site, I was confused. All these women complaining about this compression garment. Where to get it, what size? how tight? how long?...etc. Now after going through all of it I am so glad I did not have that to deal with that too. I am healing fine, looking good (when I am not swollen) and feeling better everyday. My PS said I would heal just the same and said that the garment would have to be incredibly tight in order for it to be effective. Hope this helps.

I actually feel quite secure with my compression garment on.
BUT Great if you are allowed to do without it. x x x