Creases & pinching on sides from binder. Will this go away when I promote to spanx? (Photo)

Question

3wks PO Full TT w MR w drains. No creasing on belly, but the garment is leaving these deep creases on both sides that are pinching. I'm pretty restricted to recliner & unable to straighten out yet. It also creases & pinches when I walk. 1. Will this go away when I promote to spanx in a few weeks/a month or become permanent? 2. Is there something I can do do decrease the pinching and creasing until then?

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, I have patients wear a camisole/spanx etc under their binders, please ask your surgeon if he/she would recommend as well, good luck.

Ross Blagg, MD · Answer

Hello,
This is common. Talk with your surgeon but I often have my patients wear a t-shirt under the garment, which often helps prevent this. Best of luck in your recovery!
Dr. Blagg
Austin, TX

Giovanna Ghafoori, MD · Answer

Hi, MeTime. Congratulations on your TT! Thanks for sharing your pics and your concern. Looking at your photos, it is difficult to tell whether the girdle is causing the creases, whether pre-existing banding/creases that are now altered and/or pulled with the TT, or a combination is causing the creases. Some patients have additional laxity in the lateral area that is positioned in a different orientation from their tummy laxity.  This may cause some pleating or creases to form as the tummy tissues are pulled during the abdominoplasty. Additionally, some patients have internal bands in the lateral area that become more pronounced with the skin advancement during the tummy tuck.   It is however, also possible to get folds of skin caught up in girdle creases, and may be due to girdle fit, girdle position, patient positioning or a combination. Your surgeon would be in the best position to determine why you might be forming these creases, how to best adjust your girdle and your positioning to minimize further creasing, and possible massage and padding techniques to further alleviate the creasing. Best of luck, and I hope all resolves.  Dr. Ghafoori

Paul C. Dillon, MD · Answer

Make sure you talk to your surgeon about this issue.  He/She may recommend transitioning to spanx now.  I have provided you with a great website for all types of compression garments.  Feel free to discuss it with your Plastic Surgeon.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. These are vey common after surgery and they get better with time. Make sure no fold on garment when you put it on. Pl follow up with your PS and express your concerns for clarification.

Earl E. Ferguson III, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a typical appearance at your stage.  The creases are likely more from an attempt to narrow your waistline when the skin was re-draped than from the binder.  This is known as "pleating" and will settle out with time.  If binder is actually hurting, then please discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon.  You should also be straightened out at 3 weeks, so talk to your surgeon about options to help with that as well.  Best of luck!

Creases & pinching on sides from binder. Will this go away when I promote to spanx? (Photo)

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