What type of compression garment (stage2) is recommended for tummy tuck recovery?

Question

I have found it overwhelming the different brands, styles and prices that are out there when searching online. Is it necessary to buy a post surgical cg or is your run-of-the-mill shaper work? Should it be knee length or can it be shorter? Please let me know what you recommend?

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

Although most surgeons recommend some kind of compression, I have found in long term experience ( over 25 years), that a garment is not necessary, and so I give patients a choice.  About 2/3 of patients feel more comfortable without a garment because the abdomen is sore.  I have never had a patient with a problem from not wearing a garment, but many patients feel more comfortable with wearing a garment  for a week or two.  I tell patients to wear what is comfortable, and I do not think the type matters..

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

My personal opinion is that the first elastic garment/girdle should be fitted for you in the office prior to surgery and applied in the operating room. Often it will become loose as the edema is mobilized and then it will need to be replaced. Spanx is a reasonable compression garment if it gives enough support and is the right size. I have my patents bring them in and confirm that it fits well.Most important advise is to listen to your surgeon's advice as he best knows how much fat was removed, the elasticity that remains in your skin and amount of skin redundancy.I recommend my patients wear their garments for a minimum of 3 weeks full time then for 12 hrs (day or night). if not a lot of redundant skin following liposuction to a maximum of 6 weeks. To be effective the garment needs to fit snug but not too tight as to cause pressure problems (inspect your skin if discomfort and when skin is exposed), or prevent you from sleeping. As the edema resolves it is common for patients to switch to a smaller garment that fits - A Spanx type garment would work rather than ordering one or paying more at your doctor;'s office.Liposuction requires compression garments for three main reasons:it restricts the amount of edema that forms and hastens its resolution by mechanical pressureIt decreases the amount of bruisingIt assists the loose skin in retracting or shrinking#LipoGirdleRecommendation

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!.  The tummy tuck procedure is an 
excellent method for contouring of your abdomen, often removing the 
excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal wall.  After nearly all 
surgical procedures, a potential space is created from where the 
surgical procedure/dissection was performed.  This is especially true 
for the tummy tuck, in where the abdominal flap is raised off of the 
abdominal wall and then redraped atop the area to contour the abdomen.  
The procedure alone promotes swelling and inflammation, which typically 
lasts for 6-12 weeks.  This may even last longer if liposuction has been
 performed in addition.  During this time, a few things may be done to 
allow adherence of the abdominal skin/soft tissue to readhere to the 
abdominal wall and close that space.  Many surgeons use drains to 
evacuate the expected serous fluid from building up.  Stagnant fluid as 
such may be a nidus for infection as well as does not allow the tissue 
to adhere back to its normal anatomic position.  Drains usually are 
removed once output is <30cc/day - usually removed within 3-4 weeks 
on average, sometimes longer.  When this occurs, a seroma may develop - 
which may require aspiration or surgical evacuation to rid this in order
 to optimize your result.  This is not an uncommon reason for 
persistent swelling and/or bulging in a certain area of your belly.  Of 
course, thwarting the development of a pseudobursa, or seroma capsule, 
is always best, to provide the best result as well as avoid any future 
procedures for this.  This may be a troubling consequence and often 
compromises your overall result.  Thus avoiding this complication, in 
whatever manner, is the objective.  "Drainless" tummy tucks are becoming
 more popular - basically, the overlying tissue is physically sutured to
 the abdominal wall to close the potential space.  In addition, most 
surgeons typically restrict vigorous activity/strenuous exercise as well
 as lifting restrictions of usually <20#, especially the core, for 
6-8 weeks to allow healing to continue.  Most also often recommend an 
abdominal compression-type binder or garment, which will serve to provide 
compression as well as assist to decrease swelling and eliminate the 
dead-space of the area for at least 6 weeks as well.  Most patients are 
able to return to most activities within a couple of weeks, provided 
they adhere to the restrictions.  Overall, this is a procedure 
with a high satisfaction rate.  Discuss the procedure and postoperative 
instructions/restrictions with your surgeon, as these will vary among 
surgeons.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

I give my patients 2 velcro surgical abdominal binders after surgery.  As the swelling decreases, patients often find that they need a smaller binder.  The multiple panels allow for different compression forces in different areas of the hips and abdomen.   After about 2 weeks, they can switch to Spanx (or something similar).  Most patients like wearing some sort of compression for the first 4-6 weeks, particularly when they start exercising again.  You might run the question by your surgeon, who might have strong feelings on what he or she prefers.Best wishes!Dr. Michelle Spring

Phillip R. Craft, MD · Answer

Most of my patient  that have had a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck swear by a hook and eye compression  garment or a abdominal binder. Plastic surgery data has not shown that a garment or compression improves the ultimate outcome. However , my patients for that last 15 years feel the compression they get from an abdominal binder or a good compression garment  reduces their swelling and and gives them a sense of security and comfort during the recovery period.Following a tummy tuck when the patients have a drain in to  help prevent a seroma fluid collection , I have the patients wear a abdominal garment for its ease of use with good compression and comfort. After a week  I have the patients switch to a compression garment( Lipoexpress/ Marena) hook and eye only!!Zipper garments bunch up and can be seen under clothes and compression is not as good.Patients  wear compression garment  at least a month if not two months at least 12 hours of the day.There is no question that the swelling time is decreased and patient comfort  using the compression garments!! There has been many patients that start off prior to surgery wearing a 12 - 14 size dress and after tummy tuck and liposuction of waist end up after 2-6 months of garment time they are in a size 8 dress. Unbelievable.. Dr. Phillip Craft     Miami Florida      Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Mark Crispin, MD · Answer

The correct garment is the one that is tight enough to reduce swelling but not so tight as to reduce blood supply to the remaining skin which could create scarring.  The abdominal velcro binder can be customized in terms of tightness to the appropriate tension.  It is simple to take off, wash and reapply.

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.In my own practice we provide a compression binder for our post operative patients. Many surgeons do the same.Generally I have my patients go into Spanx at about the second week. I wish I had invented Spanx.I like my patients to have even and gentle compression from the thighs to the breasts. Their slim cognito shape suit does a nice job without being too tight.Hope this helps you !

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

Every surgeon has their own preference regarding the type of compression garment and the length of its use. There are are several reasons that compression is recommended. Early on, it provides gentle pressure over the abdominal flap which can potentially reduce swelling and possibly incidence of seroma.  Most patients also find the extra support more comfortable. It is very important however to avoid excessive compression on any healing wound. The blood supply to your healing incision comes from the skin of the abdomen and excessive compression could compromise that. Most surgeons will use a simple abdominal binder instead of the full length of lower-level compression garment that you described. Check with your surgeon to see what his or her preference is.

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

Your surgeon may want to control the amount of compression on your abdomen, especially in the immediate postoperative period.  I would check with him/her before wearing any tight compression as it may affect the healing of the tummy tuck if too tight.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Compression garments after abdominoplasty serve three primary purposes: patient comfort, assistance with patient mobility and control of edema.
Most tummy tuck patients feel better and have an easier time changing positions (laying to sitting, sitting to standing, etc) and ambulating with the feeling of abdominal support that a compression garment provides. My preference is to start patients out with a three-panel, Velcro-fastened abdominal binder that is easily applied and removed. This allows easy access to surgical dressings and easy inspection of the abdominal skin in the early postoperative period. 
Not all compression garments are created equal. As with surgeons and surgery centers, you tend to get what you pay for. In my practice we provide the compression garments for abdominoplasty patients (there is no added fee for compression garments), and we have tried out almost every major company’s garments. We have been happiest with Marena’s compression garments as the fabric is very soft, elastic and comfortable yet durable. They are also the most aesthetically pleasing garments we have used. If modified with scissors the fabric does not ‘run’ or split. 
If the garments are not pleasant to wear then patients will inevitably discontinue their use earlier than would be ideal. Some practices ask patients to purchase their own garments (I’ve even heard of patients being sent to Wal-Mart for this), which is leaving an important part of the postop care regimen in inexperienced hands. If a practice advises you to purchase your own compression garment, they are probably more interested in controlling costs than your postoperative comfort.

What type of compression garment (stage2) is recommended for tummy tuck recovery?

Answers (13)

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