My Compression Garment Keeps Riding Up over my Incision. Should I Be Worried About This?

The problem with a high riding binder is that it sometimes acts like a tourniquet and can increase the swelling above the abdominal scar.

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.  Wear your binder snug low on hips.  It is not uncommon for it to ride up, so do your best to fit it well (cutting to size), and pulling down when getting up.   After the initial
binder, many patients like the Spanx garments. 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!

i think you have a couple of options: one would be to get a better fitting binder from your surgeon. The second option would be to place a bandage (gauze, ABD pad, etc) over the incision then place your binder.  Consult with your surgeon to his/her opinion about your issue.

Dr. ES

Five days after abdominoplasty, if your binder keeps riding up, and it is stressing you out, the best thing to do is to call your plastic surgeon. What to do depends on why it is riding up, and they are in the best position to help, without causing a new problem. You may need a different garment. You may to wear it lower. However, your surgeon should be the one to make that determination. You plastic surgery is team work, and good team work depends on good communication between teammates.

In general, you want your compression garment over your tummy tuck incision.  You may have more swelling than usual, the garment may be too small, or you may be wearing it incorrectly.  I would recommend seeing your plastic surgeon to make sure your garment fits, and if it does not, then get a new one or larger one.