The compression garments you wore after your tummy tuck will keep your body in the right shape for about two weeks. After that, you’ll be able to wear a corset-style garment as well as loose clothing, but you’ll need to wear some type of support for another two weeks (and perhaps even longer). The full effects of your tummy tuck should last for years, but it’s important to follow the post-op instructions given by your surgeon.
It’s also important to note that if you’re having trouble with your compression garments or are not seeing results from wearing them according to your doctor’s instructions, there may be something more serious going on and you should not hesitate to contact him or her immediately.
Read on to learn more about How Long Do I Have To Wear Compression After Tummy Tuck and What Happens if I Don’t Wear Compression Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck?
How Long Do I Have To Wear Compression After Tummy Tuck
One thing seldom discussed is surgical aftercare, and how long it should continue. A patient asked recently whether she should continue to wear compression garments and fittings, as she was 12 weeks post-op from a tummy tuck. Dr. Pane chose this question for a recent hangout, because aftercare is so important but seldom discussed.
Generally, how long the patient needs to wear compression garments and fittings depends on the surgeon who did the procedure and the unique needs and preferences of the patient. In cases where the patient undergoes liposuction on the sides, which is the most common area performed with a tummy tuck, it is typically a good idea to keep compression on. However, 12 weeks is an unusually long time for a patient to need those garments. There’s usually a medically valid reason to keep the garments in place that long, such as requiring extra support or shaping for the patient or because there was another problem that drains by themselves cannot address.
Dr. Pane remarked, “I don’t use compression garments for a tummy tuck by itself unless extra support is needed.” In addition to other potential complications that compression garments may lead to, such as weakening of abdominal muscles due to overuse, overcompression of the surgical area is a worry that can lead to other problems, such as subcutaneous fluid pooling, which is relatively rare but can occur. At 12 weeks most of the benefit has already been obtained, unless extra shaping, sculpting or contouring of the waistline is desired.
Like any medical procedure, cosmetic surgery has risks both during and after the procedure. Overuse of compression garments and fittings can be even worse than no garments at all for some patients. Every patient’s body is a little bit different and may require more or less surgical aftercare to prevent problems. Even then, and even with the best and most skilled surgeons, there is always a chance that something could go wrong.
Because of this, it is very important for patients to follow the instructions given by their healthcare providers and support staff. These instructions are intended to help prevent the vast majority of problems before they have the chance to become something more serious. While 12 weeks may seem like a long time to us, like most good surgeons, Dr. Pane is very reluctant to second-guess the provider who did the original procedure, because he doesn’t know the history, needs or specific reasons the provider decided to keep the patient wearing the garments for this length of time.
At ACA, Dr. Pane normally doesn’t require patients to wear compression garments for that long. However, as he noted, there may be other reasons that the surgeon requires them. Dr. Pane starts with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s physical health, the desired outcome of the procedures involved and the reasons for having the procedure. Then he analyzes the benefits, risks and potential problems that may accompany a given procedure and offer alternatives, if they exist. This helps ensure that the patient has the clearest possible picture of what to expect before, during and after surgery, giving them the information they need to help make them active participants in their own care and healing as well as giving them a heightened awareness of what risks the procedure may carry and how these risks might be addressed if necessary.
What Is the Best Compression Shapewear to Wear Everyday without Having a Tummy Tuck?
No matter what brand of body shaper you choose, it’s important to ensure you purchase the correct size.
The fabric in these garments varies greatly, so the amount of compression provided differs. Always check the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer, and compare your measurements.
Wearing body shapers that are too tight may not only be uncomfortable, but cause health issues.
For everyday wear, Stage 2 medical grade body shapers are a great option. These bodysuits and girdles usually have no zip or hook and eye closures but do offer an open or opening crotch. Marena and Leonisa both have amazing body shapers – with or without sleeves – that provide firm, medical-grade compression to the torso.
Stage 1 garments can also be worn every day. Just bear in mind there will be either zip or hook and eye closure.
What about after a tummy tuck or body liposuction?
After a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, most surgeons will require you to wear an abdominal binder immediately after surgery. These self-adjusting shapers provide firm support to the abdomen and allow healthcare professionals to easily access your wound. As your stomach muscles will not be working at their best after a tummy tuck procedure, an abdominal binder provides the support to allow you to stand up straighter in the early days following surgery.
The binder should continue to be worn 24/7 for at least the first two weeks after surgery. Then, when you are looking for a more comfortable option to wear, a bodysuit or girdle will provide sufficient compression and support. We do suggest wearing your binder over the top of your shapewear whenever you do anything physical – like going for a walk or doing some light housework.
Following your liposuction procedure, we strongly recommended wearing a body shaper rather than an abdominal binder or waist trainer. It is important to create a smooth-as-possible environment under your compression garments to ensure even skin retraction in the weeks following your lipo. Depending on your particular instance, a Stage 2 body shaper may be sufficient.
What Is the Best Compression Shapewear to Wear Everyday after Gaving a Tummy Tuck?
As you will be required to wear compression shapewear for 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery, a medical grade bodysuit or girdle will be the most comfortable option. As these shapers have an open or opening crotch and zip or hook and eye closure, they are specifically designed for post-op wear.
If your tummy tuck was not combined with a procedure on any other part of your body, a compression garment with no legs can be worn. These panty style shapers have a hook and eye opening crotch. If however, you would prefer a totally open crotch (which many patients find easier to wear), choose a bodysuit or girdle that has short legs.
As you will be wearing your garments 24/7 for several weeks, we always recommend buying two – wear one, wash one.
Should I Wear an Abdominal Binder or Shapewear Body Shaper?
Simple answer to this question is to buy both. As explained earlier, abdominal binders or waist pinchers have an important part to play in your recovery journey. However, they are not the most comfortable option for long-term wear. When sitting, the binder (which needs to sit low on your abdomen to compress your incision) can flip up at the top of the legs. Likewise, the binder can sometimes ride up under your chest during the day.
A body shaper or medical-grade shapewear is a more comfortable option, and can be worn under clothing easily.
What Is the Difference Between Generic Spanx Shapewear and Medical Shapewear?
Off-the-shelf K-mart shapewear comes in all shapes and styles as well as differing levels of compression. These products are not usually covered by health insurance. More often than not, the less expensive K-Mart shapewear, Target shapewear, or even Big-W shapewear is made with cheaper-quality fabric and will not last more than one or two wears and hold its original medical-grade compression level.
We work with the world-leading manufacturers that design and manufacture custom fabric textiles with superior-quality comfort and medical-grade compression levels.
Consider carefully when deciding which body shaper to buy – especially after a surgical procedure when targeted shapewear compression is required.
Can I Wear Shapewear and a Body Shaper Overnight?
Medical grade shapewear and body shapers are designed to be worn 24/7 as that is what is generally required after surgery. Most surgeons will require their patients to wear their compression garments during the day as well as when sleeping, for at least the first few weeks after the procedure.
Always check with your health professional as their requirements and your personal condition may vary.
Stage 2 shapewear garments are generally worn only during the day.
How Long Should I Wear Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck?
After your tummy tuck, it will take some weeks before your swelling subsides and your new, slimmer tummy is revealed. In our more than 20 years of experience, we have found that everyone’s recovery journey is different.
We always recommend wearing your body shapers 24/7 for at least 8 weeks post surgery. Some surgeons require much less. But wearing compression for longer and reducing the size if necessary along the way will certainly do no harm, and we have seen many of our clients continue reducing in size for 12 months
Should I Wear Stage 1 or Stage 2 Shapewear?
The answer to this question depends on:
- what your health professional prescribes
- what procedure you are having
Generally, we would always wear Stage 1 postoperative medical grade compression after any invasive procedure for at least the first four weeks following surgery. This is because pulling up and down garments to put them on can be painful if there are no zip or hook and eye closures. Also, an open or opening crotch is a blessing in the weeks following surgery.
After about the fourth week, it is perfectly fine to move onto Stage 2 body shapers as your body will have healed substantially and your pain will have subsided.
What Happens if I Don’t Wear Compression Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery will almost always involve internal and external stitches. As we use our abdomen in almost every movement of our body, it is necessary to protect these stitches and not put undue pressure on them. Wearing a binder or body shaper also reminds you that you need to be careful and not overuse the affected muscles during recovery.
Surgical compression garments also put pressure on the wound, helping to keep it protected from the environment and keep the scars flat as they heal.
Medical-grade garments reduce swelling as they help drain excess fluid through the lymphatic system.
Lastly, but certainly not least, a properly fitted garment will keep you feeling secure and less vulnerable after surgery.