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How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

asked 8 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 926 times
Tags: compression garment, girdle, long-term, recovery, support, wear

Are there times after the recovery period has ended that a patient may want to wear the girdle again?

18 answers to How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

How long should you wear garments after tummy tuck

Most patients will wear surgical garments for about four weeks after tummy tuck surgery. There is no evidence that wearing a garment any longer than this will give you a better outcome. Some patients prefer to wear them longer because they like the comfort and support they provide-especially when they begin exercising again. Each plastic surgeon has his or her own protocol so ask your plastic surgeon for specific guidelines. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno see video

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

Compression after tummy tuck.

The compressive garment after tummy tuck is necessary for 3 weeks post surgery. I suggest that a "Spanx" type garment is used for an additional 3 weeks. After 6 weeks, a mild sports garment may complete the transition. No active "abs" exercise for 3 months is suggested.

H. Michael Roark, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Girdle / Elastic Garment Time after Tummy Tuck

Three to six weeks is the usual range for most patients to wear elastic garments, but if it feels comfortable to wear a Spanx or similar garment then there would be no harm in doing so if a good fit.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

How long does a patient wear the compression garment after surgery?

I generally recommend my patients wear the Veronique compression girdles four to six weeks after liposuction surgery. The abdominoplasty procedures depend on the extent of the surgery, a mini-abdominoplasty is 3 weeks while a full abdominoplasty is 6 weeks. Many of my patients will put their garments on for support up to three months after the surgical procedure.

Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD
Washington Plastic Surgeon

www.walkerplasticsurgery.com

How long to wear a girdle?

There is not any real science for how long to wear a girdle after tummy tuck. I recommend 6 weeks because is gives you support of the muscle tightening. Many patients choose to wear it for several weeks more as it gives them a little more help with swelling throughout the day. As long as the girdle fits well it should be comfortable and give you a sense of security.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Compression garment

I recommend using a compression garment for 6 weeks after a tummy tuck. Many of my patients find them comfortable and want to wear them even longer for that extra "support". I have a few patients who can't stand wearing them so we monitor the swelling closely and will get them out of the garment and into something lighter such as spanx as soon as possible. The garment if meant to help reduce swelling and prevent fluid collections from accumulating (seromas).... more

Tiffany McCormack, MD
Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

Wear the garment for as long as you get a benefit

I tell my patients to wear the garment for 4-6 weeks, and this inital garment is generally a stiffer material. After that I recommend going to a more breathable and more comfortable garment that conceals easily with clothing. Since swelling and bruising can be slightly different from person to person, some may derive more benefit from the garment than others. Some women really dislike the garment, while some find good support and comfort in their garment. As you... more

Tito Vasquez, MD
Southport Plastic Surgeon

Compression after tummy tuck

Patients usually wear the girdle for at least a month and, when the swelling goes down, they move on to lighter compression such as Spanx or a body shaper. After the initial recovery period, you should wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable and enhances your appearance.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Compression garment, tummy tuck

I generally have patients wear a compressive abdominal binder for 3-4 weeks. In the fourth week, I usually have them wear this only during the day. If the patient has Liposuction of the thighs or back they may have to wear garments longer (5-6 weeks) but I get them out of the binder first and transition to a more comfortable garment or even Spanx.

Burton M. Sundin, MD
Richmond Plastic Surgeon

www.drsundin.com

The Average Amount of Time A Patient Should Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck...

After tummy tuck there will be a significant amount of swelling so I recommend using two items, an Abdominal Binder and a Compression Garment. The Abdominal binder should be used for two weeks post surgery and the Compression garment should be used for 6 weeks following the binder. The difference between the two is the abdominal binder is more of a tight thick band that uses Velcro at the side and securely holds the drains in place, while the Compression garment is more comfortable and form... more

Shain A. Cuber, MD
Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

Use of binder after a tummy tuck

I ask my patients to use a supporting garment (not necessarily a binder/girdle) for six weeks after surgery. However I suspect each surgeon will have a slightly different recommendation, and there is no absolute right or wrong answer.

Anindya Lahiri, MBBS
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

I usually have my patients wear their postoperative compression girdle for about 5 weeks, then tell them they may find it helpful to wear a lighter weight compression garment such as a Spanx for a few more weeks...this latter garment is not required, but they may find better control of postoperative swelling as they are up during the day if they wear a light compression until they no longer find it helpful, maybe a few weeks.

Robert M. Grenley, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Compression device (abd binder) is usually worn about 4 weeks

Hello, The time that an abdominal binder is worn after a tummy tuck depends on each patient and surgeon. Usually this is about 4 weeks. Often, at this time, it is discontinued in the day and still worn at night for comfort. Some circumstances such as seroma pocket may require longer and more diligent use. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck - How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

With this huge range of answers, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that there is no absolute answer to this question. I generally have my patients stay in a mildly-compressive binder for the first three weeks or so. After a few days, they can take it off daily for a shower and by 3 weeks they are often in a garment such as Spanx or something comparable. Interestingly, I find that my patients prefer to maintain some degree of compression and skin support even longer... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

Opinions vary. I have had experience with hundreds of Tummy Tucks and stopped using binders-compression garments-girdles in my Tummy Tuck patients. In MY opinion, not using such garments after a Tummy Tuck is - a LOT more comfortable to the patient (Happier patient leads to quicker recovery) - it allows MUCH easier breathing (less fever and pneumonias), - easier movement (decreased risk of deep vein clots), - decreased interference with blood flow in the skin of the lower... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Garment reduced swelling after a tummy tuck

Wearing of an abdominal garment or binder helps to keep swelling down after a tummy tuck. Most surgeons have their patients wear some sort of supporting garment on their abdomen for 4-6 weeks after surgery. I recommend wearing it for a month and then for another week just at night. After a couple of weeks, it is OK to switch to something like Spanx.

James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Compression Garment after Tommy Tuck?

Thank you for the question. I asked my patients to where the abdominal wall binder for one month after surgery; most patients are eager to “burn” the garment as soon as possible. Some patients however prefer to keep some form of compression garment on for a longer period of time, stating that the garment gives them a feeling of “security”. I hope this helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

How Long Does the Average Patient Wear Their Girdle After a Tummy Tuck?

This differs from surgeon to surgeon. I have my patients wear a compression garment for 6 weeks. Each week the patient can get out of the garment for 1 additional hour a day.