Where Should my Compression Binder be Positioned?

I had a TT/Lipo about 3 weeks ago. I developed a seroma which is drained every 3-4 days. I was wearing the garment around my love handles thinking it would prevent/reduce swelling. I am wondering if the garment actually forced fluid into my upper abdomen area, slowing skin/muscle reconnection. Should I center it over my navel or position the top of it just below my nipples?

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by Lipo Tuck in Carlsbad, CA

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Abdominal binders should cover your whole belly after a Tummy Tuck

Cover your whole belly with the binder, from your breast folds to below the incision. In general the binder is used after a tummy tuck to apply pressure and close off the open space that was created during surgery where fluid may accumulate. It should be over the entire anterior abdominal area where the surgery was performed to help prevent/reduce seroma formation. Usually seromas form in the lower abdominal area where the incision line is because that is where the... more

Abdominal binder

The placement of the binder does help obliterate the dissected space, but it does not immobilize your trunk. You must walk, breath, change position and seromas can form. The best person to take direction from is the surgeon that did the dissection, only this person knows what happened during the abdominoplasty.

Where should binder be positioned

This question really needs to be directed to your surgeon. Seromas are quite common after abdominoplasty and currently there is no way to insure that they don't occur. If they do occur, the usual treatment is to aspirate, or stick a needle in every few days to drain it. This may need to be done 1-6 times or possibly more. I personally do not think the binder has much to do with seroma treatment or prevention for that matter. I think the binder helps patients... more