Tummy tuck 10 days ago but the garment is hurting to the point I can't breath. Any suggestions?

The binders are designed to provide support and reduce swelling but should not cause pain.  I would see your surgeon to make sure that there are no other issues (seroma, hematoma, etc), then loosen the garment to allow support without discomfort.  Good luck

 I'm so sorry to hear that about your discomfort. Compression garments mean well but sometimes they can be difficult to tolerate and additionally calls problems due to too much compression in certain areas. I would advise you strongly to go back to see your surgeon to  sure that your compression garment is not causing excess tightness in certain areas.  If this is the case then a different Garm may need to be ordered or sometimes simple relieve pressure by cutting in the material to alleviate pressure. 

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us.At this point  10 days post op the swelling is normal.To reduce it, I recommend you perform daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy over the abdomen and wear a postoperative girdle from thigh to the breasts.If the fter six months post-op, I recommend you send us your photos again, to give you more information about how we can solve this problem.Kind regards,Dr. Emma Mallol Cotes.-

Abdominoplasty garment should provide compression, not keep you from breathing.  Speak to your surgeon's office first.  They'll likely recommend that you loosen it a little bit.

The compression garment should never be painful. In fact, most patients find that it is more comfortable to wear the garment which provides gentle compression and support to the surgical sites.  If the garment is shifting and causing discomfort you might need to change to a size that fits better.  Sometimes I even change the brand or type of garment that my patients are wearing.  Discuss this with your surgeon.  

Call your Doctor's office and explain the situation. Depending on the garment you can loosen for a more comfortable fit that doesn't affect the result. 

It´s my pleasure to answer your question.I recommend you to put in contact with your surgeon for all doubts.Sincerely,Dr. Aramis VegaBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Simply put, the abdominal binder should be snug but comfortable. If you can't breathe, take it off and go see your surgeon and his or her support team. They should be able to fit you with a better garment.I hope this helps! Dr. Robert Shenker MD FRCSC 

I usually use an abdominal binder, but some doctors use a compression zippered garment.  If it is an abdominal binder you can loosen it. A compression garment may need to be ordered that is a bit looser. Best to discuss with your surgeon.

Dear KatieSousa,

Thank you for your clinical post. Having multiple surgical procedures such as a
hysterectomy, tummy tuck and liposuction certainly complicates the
post-operative course. Liposuction
garments are meant to compress at 27-28 mm of mercury, but not obstruct
breathing. When an abdominal garment
tends to roll down it can form a tourniquet effect and limit your ability to
breathe, but can also compress the recently liposuctioned abdominal wall and
create indentations and irregularity.
The fact that you also had a hysterectomy performed, either
laparoscopically or with an open incisional procedure creates intra-abdominal
swelling and gas which can make the abdominal garment even more
compressive. It is extremely important
that you follow-up with your operative plastic surgeon and gynecologist to
ensure there is no intra-abdominal or soft tissue complication. You may need to have the specific abdominal
liposuction garment reassessed, perhaps increase the size or allow taking the
garment down more frequently in order to allow adequate profusion and
breathing. The garment should not
restrict breathing in any way, shape or form and you need to be assessed by
your operative surgeons to ensure the garment is not becoming a source of
complication rather than an assistance in healing.

Best of luck.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto