Recovering from a tummy tuck, especially the first several days, is not a walk in the park for most patients. It can be uncomfortable and, at times, a bit challenging.
Closely following your plastic surgeon’s guidelines and recommendations can set the stage for helping you get through this period of time much better and with a reduced risk of complications and less than desirable outcomes. You want to have the odds stacked in your favor.
An important component in the postoperative recuperation from your tummy tuck care is the supportive garment that you will be wearing. If it is not worn correctly or at all or is ill fitting and poorly sized, it can compromise your results and even lead to long term deformities, need for otherwise unnecessary procedures, increased expenses and down time.
Your Surgical Dressing
Following your tummy surgery, you will normally have a dressing overlying the abdomen that will be held in place by an outer elastic garment. For my patients, this involves a soft, thick layer of cotton batting over which is placed a surgical abdominal binder (photo A). There are many different ways that this is done by other plastic surgeons.
A.) Abdominal binder
The Dressing Placed at Your First Postoperative Visit
At your first postoperative visit, a thinner dressing is applied under the same abdominal binder. Ultimately, this dressing between your abdomen and the binder is completely removed.
The binder, which provides both physical and emotional support, is worn for several weeks and then can be discontinued. Some patients elect to either to continue wearing it for a few more weeks or replace it with something more comfortable and but still providing some support.
Options if Replacing Your Abdominal Binder Postoperatively
There are a few excellent garment options that can be worn following the original abdominal binder. Conveniently, they can be purchased online such as on Amazon. Two of these are specific brands.
These include:
- Replacement abdominal binder (generic)
- Postpartum Girdle Belt Back Support Belly Wrap
- Spanx girdle
Replacement abdominal binder
B.) Abdominal binder on Amazon
This is selected as a replacement for the original binder – for whatever reason. Perhaps the initial one is very dirty, has lost its elasticity or the Velcro is not as functional as it had been initially. If your initial garment fit well, then just find one that is similar in size and features.
These come in 3 or 4 panel versions that have a width of 9 inches or 12 inches, respectively (photo B). Make sure that you have the proper length so you don’t get one that is too small or too large. The most common range needed and used is 30 – 45 inches. Those individuals with a high BMI (body mass index) may need the 45 – 60 inch version. Check here and here for examples of these but there are other brands available that should be just as appropriate.
Ask your plastic surgeon or their staff if you have any questions about any of this.
Postpartum Girdle Belt Back Support Belly Wrap
C. Girdle binder
Patients have found this particular choice to be very comfortable and more so than a generic binder (photo C). It offers good customization of fit and excellent support. This particular brand and model has 3 panels which makes it a superior choice compared to those with only 2 panel models manufactured by other companies. You can find it here on Amazon.
Spanx girdle
There are many choices here to select from. These can be found on the Spanx website. . However, you want to make sure that it is a high-waisted design so as to provide support of your entire abdomen – not just the lower portion.
Of course, there are other brands that you may also want to consider. You can find some of these options on Amazon.
Caveat: Follow Your Plastic Surgeon’s Instructions
The above can be helpful information for you if you are considering a tummy tuck or just underwent one. Regardless, ALWAYS follow the recommendations of your plastic surgeon – and this includes what garments to wear and for how long.
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your abdomen – whether from pregnancy or weight loss – and are interested in pursuing a tummy tuck, you can contact my office to schedule a complimentary consultation with me. You can do so either by calling the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at (480) 451-3000 or contacting us by email.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona