Is It True That Wearing a Garter/binder After a Tummy Tuck Helps in Achieving the Perfect Figure?

Question

I've heard of women (who do their surgery's in D.R. anyway) who wear their binders for 6 or more months after surgery, believing that they will heal in that shape, or their bodies will conform to that shape anyway. Is it true the longer you wear it the better?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	 No, I do not think that the use of  postoperative garment/binder  plays a major role in achieving the “perfect figure”. Some of the factors that are important  in achieving the best results possible, in my opinion, include having the procedure performed when you have achieved a long-term stable weight,  the  quality of the procedure performed,  and “maintaining” the results postoperatively with healthy diet/lifestyle.

	 I hope this helps.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

A compression garment is required and beneficial after liposuction because:It restricts the amount of edema that forms and hastens its resolution by mechanical pressure.It decreases the amount of bruising.It assists the loose skin in retracting or shrinking.The length of time that the garment should be worn varies depending on the amount of fat removed, the elastic nature of your skin, how much loose skin remains, and other factors. Your surgeon would give you the best advice, however this is the general routine for my patients.Most important advice is to listen to your surgeon, as he or she knows how much fat was removed, the elasticity that remains in your skin, and amount of skin redundancy.I recommend that my patients wear their garments for a minimum of three weeks full timethen for twelve hours at a time (day or night). If there is not a lot of redundant skin, this continues to a maximum of six weeks.#compressiongarment#tummytuck

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!.  The tummy tuck procedure is an 
excellent method for contouring of your abdomen, often removing the 
excess skin as well as tightening the abdominal wall.  After nearly all 
surgical procedures, a potential space is created from where the 
surgical procedure/dissection was performed.  This is especially true 
for the tummy tuck, in where the abdominal flap is raised off of the 
abdominal wall and then redraped atop the area to contour the abdomen.  
The procedure alone promotes swelling and inflammation, which typically 
lasts for 6-12 weeks.  This may even last longer if liposuction has been
 performed in addition.  During this time, a few things may be done to 
allow adherence of the abdominal skin/soft tissue to readhere to the 
abdominal wall and close that space.  Many surgeons use drains to 
evacuate the expected serous fluid from building up.  Stagnant fluid as 
such may be a nidus for infection as well as does not allow the tissue 
to adhere back to its normal anatomic position.  Drains usually are 
removed once output is <30cc/day - usually removed within 3-4 weeks 
on average, sometimes longer.  When this occurs, a seroma may develop - 
which may require aspiration or surgical evacuation to rid this in order
 to optimize your result.  This is not an uncommon reason for 
persistent swelling and/or bulging in a certain area of your belly.  Of 
course, thwarting the development of a pseudobursa, or seroma capsule, 
is always best, to provide the best result as well as avoid any future 
procedures for this.  This may be a troubling consequence and often 
compromises your overall result.  Thus avoiding this complication, in 
whatever manner, is the objective.  "Drainless" tummy tucks are becoming
 more popular - basically, the overlying tissue is physically sutured to
 the abdominal wall to close the potential space.  In addition, most 
surgeons typically restrict vigorous activity/strenuous exercise as well
 as lifting restrictions of usually <20#, especially the core, for 
6-8 weeks to allow healing to continue.  Most also often recommend an 
abdominal compression-type binder or garment, which will serve to 
provide 
compression as well as assist to decrease swelling and eliminate the 
dead-space of the area for at least 6 weeks as well.  After the initial 
binder, many patients like the Spanx garments.   Most patients are 
able to return to most activities within a couple of weeks, provided 
they adhere to the restrictions.  Overall, this is a procedure 
with a high satisfaction rate.  Discuss the procedure and postoperative 
instructions/restrictions with your surgeon, as these will vary among 
surgeons.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

It depends on your recovery. Typically, I recommend patients wear a binder, garter or compression garment day and night for about 3 weeks, then just in the day after that for about 3 more weeks. After that, it usually is not necessary unless you are recovering more slowly. However, more than 6 months is unusual. The only way that I can see it beneficial in helping create a “perfect figure” after 6 weeks or so is for one reason: because it applies pressure on the midsection, and specifically your stomach. This pressure on your stomach can help you feel fuller when you eat. Therefore, you won’t eat as much. Of course a healthy diet and exercise regimen are always necessary to maintain your tummy tuck results, but some patients may appreciate this “trick”.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Most plastic surgeons would recommend a compression garment and possibly drains to reduce the risk of fluid collection and to keep swelling under control.  Wearing the garment for longer than 4 to 6 weeks would be an uncommon recommendation, but there is no study that has demonstrated lack of benefit due to wearing the garment longer.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Is It True That Wearing a Garter/binder After a Tummy Tuck Helps in Achieving the Perfect Figure?

Answers (9)

Answer: Wearing A Garter After a Tummy Tuck For Over 6 Weeks is Unusual

Answer: Wearing A Garter After a Tummy Tuck For Over 6 Weeks is Unusual

Answer: Binder after Tummy Tuck for 6 Months or More

Answer: Binder after Tummy Tuck for 6 Months or More

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Is It True That Wearing a Garter/binder After a Tummy Tuck Helps in Achieving the Perfect Figure?

Answers (9)

Answer: Wearing A Garter After a Tummy Tuck For Over 6 Weeks is Unusual

Answer: Wearing A Garter After a Tummy Tuck For Over 6 Weeks is Unusual

Answer: Binder after Tummy Tuck for 6 Months or More

Answer: Binder after Tummy Tuck for 6 Months or More

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.