Should I wear a compression garment even if I have open wounds? (Photo)

The short answer is that you can wear compression garments with open wounds after a tummy tuck. They will help reduce swelling and may keep the bandages in place better. It is also really important to have your surgeon check your garment and make sure that it is not rubbing against the open wounds and making them worse.

Dear reneetorres1313,Wear the garments. They help with fluid buildup and control movement that may otherwise widen your scars. Follow up with your plastic surgeon as to when to stop.  Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for the question. Generally speaking, I have my patients were compression garment for 2-4 weeks post op. It's best that you ask your surgeon for advice. Best,Pejman Aflaki, M.D.Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Hi there, thanks for your question and thank you for providing photographs.  If you haven't already done so, I highly encourage you to reconnect with your plastic surgeon to discuss your wound healing. Generally, the compression garment will reduce your swelling and discomfort after surgery. However, if the garment is very tight or hot, any extra moisture may slow down your healing.  The best thing you can do is follow up with your surgeon to make a plan.

These small open areas appear to be suture abscesses. These should be kept clean, dry, and covered until they can be addressed by your surgeon. You are still able to wear your compression in many cases but the wounds should be covered when doing so. Always best to check with your surgeon if you are unsure.

This is a question that you need to ask of your surgeon as he/she operated on you and is responsible for your care. Every plastic surgeon has their own routine for this and it can be modified depending on the individual and conditions.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Hello and thank you for your question and photo's.   Yes, you should still wear the garment, just keep a gauze or pad directly over the wound for protection.   

Compression garments are an important part of the recovery process to prevent fluid accumulation under the skin and to decrease swelling within the tissue following abdominoplasty.  My patients wear compression garments for 6 weeks or longer to address these issues and also reinforce the rectus abdominus plication (muscle tightening) performed during the procedure.  Please follow your postoperative instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon.  If there is a new opening or wound since your last visit, you should contact your plastic surgeon to discuss this with him/her.  It is best to follow the specific recommendations that your surgeon gives you as each doctor may handle your situation differently.

Thank you for your question Reneetorres1313! Compression garments are an essential part of a successful recovery. They will help to prevent fluid accumulation under the skin and decrease swelling. Please follow your postoperative instructions given to you by your surgeon because each surgeon handles post op care differently. Best of luck!