What Kind of Compression Garmet and Abdominal Binder Should I Get for my Lower Body Lift?

For a circumferential or 360 body lift, I would suggest a garment that goes from the lower rib cage to midcalf. It should have clasps and zippers on each side. The groin should be open for the drains. For the 360 body lift, on top of the garment, I use a 4 panel binder. The binder should be placed so that two thirds of the binder is above the incision and one third below the incision.
Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck with your 360 lower body lift.

Compression garments and abdominal binders are frequently used following lower body lift surgery for several reasons. These devices provide compression which reduces swelling, increases comfort and minimizes the potential for seroma formation. I generally tell my patients to use a binder for three weeks following surgery. When drains are used, we continue the use of the binder for longer periods of time. It's interesting to note that when we discontinue the binder, many patients continue to wear it. They feel that the extra support makes them feel more comfortable with activity.Whether patients use two, three, or four panel binders is dependent upon their underlying anatomy. These devices need to be fitted to the patient's anatomy. When this approach is taken, patients are more comfortable and results are better. If you have questions regarding binder use, make sure they're discussed with your surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to clarify the issue.

Most plastic surgeons performing bodylift surgery like to make their own recommendations for a binder/garment. You should discuss this item with your plastic surgeon. There are many options available, but typically I might recommend a 4 panel binder for the first 2 weeks after bodylift. We then switch to something more comfortable after. Best of luck and congratulations, Aldo.

Thanks for your question -

In our San Francisco area practice we perform body lifts and body contouring after bariatric surgery quite commonly.

Abdominal binders and compression garments are used to minimize swelling, help with skin retraction and sometime improve patient comfort.  It is something that is important to use at the direction of your physician however.  

Garments that are too tight or are inappropriate for your type of surgery may restrict blood flow and cause healing problems.  

 

Talk to your surgeon!

 

I hope this helps!

I usually have my patients use a single velcro binder for compression, I think it is easy to deal with.