Should we continue to use a binder/waist trainer/corset? Does it help with healing?

Question

I seeing many corsets and waist trainers. Does 'this help maintain your results long term?? Is it necessary..

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

The compression helps early on with swelling and scar maturation, but beyond 6 weeks it probably doesn't add anything. At that point you should be able to wear whatever you want and enjoy your new body! Hope that helps!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Compression garments are typically used to help reduce the degree of soft tissue swelling present after surgery and will not materially impact your long-term results. I would advocate following your surgeons recommendations as they know the full details of your procedure.  Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ginnia,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. Wear the binders if it is recommended to you. They help with fluid buildup and control movement that may otherwise widen your scars. Follow up with your plastic surgeon as to when to stop.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

This will vary from surgeon to surgeon, so I would ask your surgeon.I recommend a properly fitted garment for the first 6 weeks (24 hours/day).  I typically ask patients to use adjustable garments with multiple bands so that tension can be adjusted to help obliterate dead space and reduce the incidence of fluid collections.  I doubt that long-term results are improved by wearing the garment longer than 6 weeks.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Robert D. Wilcox, MD · Answer

Dear Ginnia,
  
 
  
Whether you use compression or not in general it is going to take six months for all of the swelling to subside from a tummy tuck.  In addition, you do not want a very tight corset early on as it could compress the circulation to the abdominal flap.  What I find is after exercise resumes at six to weeks postoperatively, reactive swelling may occur and it is helpful to wear a compressive garment a day or two to suppress that reactive swelling.  The reactive swelling improves each month that goes by for the same amount of workout.  I hope this has been helpful.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Garments are often worn for the first few weeks after surgery for support and to control swelling.  After that, there is no need to continue to wear them.  The work was done in surgery to hold you in. After that it's just your time to enjoy the benefits!

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

A binder/corset/waist trainer is not needed long term and will have no impact on the results. It can be a nuisance and uncomfortable to wear long term. Short term, that is a different story. Every plastic surgeon has his/her recommendations that he/she feels works well in the immediate postoperative course so you should follow the recommendations of your surgeon.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Your plastic surgeon will guide you when it comes to specific postoperative instructions. 
I ask 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”.  The use of compression garments such as "spanx" may be helpful thereafter.
 Longer-term swelling after tummy tuck surgery is not uncommon;  swelling may persist for many months and even up to one year after the procedure is performed. Often, patients will report that the swelling increases as their activity level increases and gets worse later on in the day. Sometimes, the use of compressive garments may be helpful to control the edema.
I hope this helps.

Jon Ver Halen, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. We suggest that patients use a binder for 3 weeks after surgery for 24 hours a day, and then just at night for another 3 weeks. However, individual surgeons will all have their own protocols. You will need an in-person consultation to evaluate you for this procedure. Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help with your decision. I suggest that you find a board-certified plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of patients who have had similar procedures. Good luck!
Best,
  
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS
  
Harvard educated plastic surgeon
  
Texas “Top Doc”

Should we continue to use a binder/waist trainer/corset? Does it help with healing?

Answers (9)

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