How long do I need to wear a binder after tummy tuck without muscle repair? (photo)

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding how long to wear an abdominal binder after a tummy tuck without muscle repair. Thank you as well for your detailed history and your photo — you’re healing well at three weeks post-op!

Even though you didn’t have rectus abdominis muscle plication, you still underwent a significant procedure that involved removing excess skin and fat, as well as some minor liposuction to the abdomen and flanks. Wearing a compression garment or abdominal binder is still very important to help reduce swelling, support the healing tissues, and guide the skin to adhere smoothly to the underlying structures.

Most plastic surgeons recommend wearing your abdominal binder or compression garment for a minimum of 6 weeks, but ideally for 6–8 weeks total, even when muscle repair is not performed. After the initial 3–4 weeks of continuous wear (day and night), some surgeons allow their patients to switch to lighter compression or wear it just during the day. However, continue to follow your surgeon’s instructions if they differ, as they know your body and surgical details best.

As for standing fully upright, it’s completely normal to still feel tightness or tension when straightening your posture — especially at your height (6’1”). Most patients are able to stand fully upright by weeks 4 to 6, but this varies. Even without muscle repair, the lower abdominal skin can feel tight due to how it was advanced and sutured during surgery. Don’t force yourself into a fully upright position too soon — walking slightly hunched is common early on and helps protect the incision line.

You’re doing great so far. Keep wearing your garment, stay mobile with light walking, and listen to your body. With continued healing and patience, you’ll see more definition and feel more comfortable standing upright very soon.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS

You should be standing up straight right now.   You wear the compression garment to help with the swelling and the discomfort.  When you have no more swelling you can stop wearing the garment.

Every surgeon has a slightly different take on the use of binders after surgery.  Without having undergone muscle repair, the main benefit of a binder here will be for the post-liposuction shaping.  You may want to switch to a garment instead of the binder, which is often more comfortable.  Either way, just make sure you are not wearing it too tight.  I recommend 6 weeks in most cases.