How long after a tummy tuck do you have to use bandages over your incision?

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your surgery!  Assuming you are not having any wound healing difficulties and your incisions have stopped draining fluid you need not wear bandages.  Some patients have sensitive incisions and prefer to wear a thin layer of gauze as a form of protection against any undergarments rubbing against them but otherwise you are free to go without.  Talk to your surgeon as they know how your healing has gone in order to give you the best advice.  

Wounds are generally sealed after 48-72 hours.  So bandages are not absolutely necessary past that point as long as there are no wound healing problems.  Make sure you speak with your plastic surgeon to find out his/her protocol.

The steristrips usually come off at about 10 days.  A compression garment should be worn for about 6 weeks.   Best of luck, Dr. Michael OmidiAn in-person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and provide true medical advice.

Thanks for your question. A wound is completely sealed in the best conditions after 72 hrs. Sometimes the use of bandages on the wound site over this time is unnecessary because it can also hurt the skin in many patients and it really is not necessary.