Peeing with binder after thigh lift, tummy tuck and breast lift?

Hello, and thank you for your thoughtful question about managing urination after surgery—especially with a binder that includes a groin incision following a thigh lift, tummy tuck, and breast lift. Your concern is completely valid, and it's something many patients worry about in the early recovery period.

After a thigh lift with groin incisions, your binder will typically extend from your waist down to your ankles. Some compression garments have a small opening for urination, but you're absolutely right to be concerned that the hole may be too small and urine could potentially come into contact with your incisions. The risk of this happening is increased if the incisions are very close to the urethral opening or if mobility is limited during the first few days post-op.

There are a few things you can do to make this easier and reduce the risk of contamination:

Use a handheld urinal device, such as a female urination funnel (commonly called a "Shewee" or "GoGirl"), which helps direct the urine away from your body and surgical incisions.

Use a peri bottle or squeeze bottle filled with warm water to rinse the area immediately after urinating. This helps dilute and gently wash away any residual urine near the incisions.

Keep the area as dry as possible afterward, using soft, clean gauze or a lint-free cloth to gently pat dry. Some patients also place a piece of soft, absorbent gauze inside the binder near the incision site for extra protection.

Change your binder or liner as needed to avoid prolonged moisture contact, which can increase the risk of infection.

Most importantly, always follow the hygiene protocols provided by your plastic surgeon. If you notice increased redness, swelling, odor, or discharge around the incisions, be sure to contact your surgical team, as those could be signs of irritation or infection.

With some advance planning and careful hygiene, it’s absolutely possible to pee safely while wearing a full-length binder after surgery. You are not alone in this concern, and your awareness shows you’re being proactive about your recovery—good job.

Best of luck with your surgery and healing process.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS

It's understandable to have concerns about the potential for urine to come into contact with your incisions after your surgery. However, your surgeon and the medical team will take several precautions to minimize the risk of this happening and to ensure that your wounds remain clean and free from infection.

Firstly, your surgeon will place dressings over your incisions to protect them from any splashes or contaminants, including urine. They will also instruct you on how to care for your wounds and keep them clean and dry, including when and how to change your dressings and how to properly clean the area around your incisions.

Secondly, the binder you will be wearing after your surgery is designed to support your abdomen and help reduce swelling, but it is also specifically designed to accommodate a hole for urination. The hole is typically positioned in a way that minimizes the risk of urine coming into contact with your incisions. However, if you are concerned about this, you can discuss it with your surgeon and they may be able to provide additional advice or recommend modifications to the binder to further reduce the risk.

Finally, it's important to follow your surgeon's instructions carefully and to notify them immediately if you notice any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or drainage from your incisions. With proper care and attention, the risk of urine coming into contact with your wounds can be minimized, and your incisions should heal properly and without complications.

Best of luck !