We know you’re excited to get your tummy tuck, and we can’t wait to help you. But before you get started, there are some things you need to know about the process. Your procedure will take place at [location]. Our staff is dedicated to making sure that every appointment runs smoothly, so you’ll be able to relax and focus on getting better. You’ll spend about 2-3 hours in our office for each visit, but if there’s anything we can do to make your experience smoother and more comfortable, please let us know!
Once you’ve scheduled your surgery date with us, it’s time to start thinking about what post-surgery garments might work best for your body type and personal style. We recommend trying on different styles of shorts and shirts before surgery so that you can find something that works best for your lifestyle once healing is complete. We also suggest having someone take pictures of yourself in these outfits—it’s helpful when trying on new clothes after surgery because sometimes what looks good in the mirror doesn’t work as well when worn out in public due to swelling or other factors like this!
Read on to learn more about Binder For After Tummy Tuck, Tummy Tuck Dinder Vs Compression Garment and Black Skin After Tummy Tuck
Binder For After Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure commonly performed for body contouring. Why is an abdominal binder important after tummy tuck surgery? What is its purpose? How long should it be worn? Patients often ask about wearing an abdominal binder after tummy tuck surgery. There is little science behind abdominal binders after tummy tuck. Recommendations often vary between surgical practices based on surgeon preference and clinical experience.
Potential advantages of wearing an abdominal binder after tummy tuck
Abdominal binders may be helpful in several ways following tummy tuck. By applying compression to the surgical site, the binder may help reduce swelling of the skin flaps and maintain contour improvements during early healing. It may also reduce the risk of seroma formation, which refers to a collection of fluid below the skin flaps. Although studies have not definitively proven a reduction in seroma rates following tummy tuck with abdominal binder usage, it offers a theoretical advantage by applying gentle compression. This may decrease the potential space deep to the skin flaps where fluid may accumulate. If every patient following tummy tuck surgery had an ultrasound performed, seromas would be identified in the majority of patients. These seromas are generally small however and resorbed by the body over time. Large seromas causing discomfort or visible fluid accumulation as well as those concerning for superimposed infection may require further treatment.
The abdominal binder may also improve patient comfort by providing additional support at the muscle repair site. Following pregnancies or significant weight gain, the rectus (abdominal) muscles are placed under increased tension, which often leads to gapping between the muscles centrally. Referred to as a rectus diastasis, this gap is stitched together during tummy tuck surgery, which improves the contour of the abdomen. It may also provide additional core strength. During early healing when the muscle repair is at greater risk for healing complications and recurrent separation, the abdominal binder may provide additional support and protection during muscle healing. Patients often report that it increases comfort and support when shifting positions or coughing and improves one’s posture during prolonged standing.
Recommended length of abdominal binder wear after tummy tuck
I recommend for patients to wear the abdominal binder full-time except when showering for the first month after tummy tuck. If tolerating well, I often recommend a total of 6 weeks. I provide my patients with three-panel abdominal binders. The three panels allow for graded compression and improved fit around the waist and hip regions as compared to a one-piece binder.
Tummy Tuck Dinder Vs Compression Garment
Part of a successful recovery is wearing your tummy tuck compression garment, also known as a binder. Wear this as directed for a easier and faster recovery.
Atummy tuck compression garment is a heavily elasticized cloth that stretches around your mid-section, much like a girdle. It fits quite snugly, applying even and constant pressure on the encased area. The garment typically covers the area below your breasts down to the hips or pelvic area — everywhere that was treated during your tummy tuck, including the immediate surrounding area.
Why do I need to wear a compression garment after my tummy tuck? This is a question we often receive from patients. Because it fits so snugly, some patients find it rather uncomfortable to wear. However, you should know that you should wear it as advised. A compression garment can help a great deal in your recovery after abdominoplasty. Here are the top four reasons:
1. A reduced risk of seroma
Excess serous fluid collection filling a pocket under the skin is technically referred to as a seroma (when it is blood, it is known as a hematoma). Seromas are considered to be the most common complication associated with abdominoplasty according to several studies, including one from 2002 published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery. The constant, even pressure applied by your compression garment is designed to push down on tissues that were rearranged during your surgery, so that pockets where fluid could collect are minimized or eliminated. The garment also promotes circulation. These two reasons are believed to be how the incidence of seromas can be decreased.
2. Better circulation
And since we’re on the topic of circulation, we all know that keeping your blood going during your recovery is key to getting better, since it’s how beneficial nutrients are delivered to the treated areas to promote healing. This also reduces swelling, bruising and the risk of blood clots, which can be serious or even fatal.https://www.youtube.com/embed/_-ELNx0oYa4?rel=0
3. More comfort
Your compression garment helps keep tissues in place while you move around. Damaged tissues and incision lines are protected from being pulled or strained. That means you’ll feel more comfortable. In fact, some patients like to wear their garment for weeks after it’s okay for them to stop because they feel more comfortable with it on.
4. Better contouring
While great care is taken to tighten your mid-section and minimize any contour irregularities, there may still be a chance that uneven contours may appear. Many contour irregularities can become permanent if they’re not corrected early on in your recovery. A compression garment helps to flatten out any lumps and bumps that appear.
Black Skin After Tummy Tuck
A Tummy Tuck – medically called an “abdominoplasty” – is a common plastic surgery procedure that removes loose flabby skin tighten and tightens the abdominal muscles. Women of all shapes and sizes choose to undergo a tummy tuck following pregnancy to restore their pre-baby figures. Similarly, both men and women turn to tummy tucks to get rid of loose belly skin after they’ve lost a significant amount of weight.
But while tummy tucks give people of all races and sizes a flattened and toned abdomen, there are some important differences in tummy tuck goals and procedures for women of different ethnic backgrounds.
Tummy Tucks & African American Beauty
African American women often differ from Caucasian or Asian women in their goals for a tummy tuck. If you are a black women, it is important to find a tummy tuck surgeon who understands your own unique cultural ideal for beauty.
Black women have long celebrated their curves – recognizing the beauty of the natural feminine shape. For many black tummy tuck patients, the emphasis is on a curvaceous feminine shape.
Dr. Ali believes that a tummy tuck – as well as liposuction or any other “body sculpting” technique – should accentuates a woman’s curves. These procedures can give you a toned and sleek body – with the right proportions for your frame – without sacrificing your personal or cultural identity.
For most African American woman, an unrealistic stick-figure body is NOT the goal. The ideal shape may be anywhere from slim and trim Halle Berry to ultra-curvy Tyra Banks – but nobody wants to look like an emaciated Kate Moss-type skeleton!
In the hands of a skilled plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali, tummy tuck surgery makes it possible to achieve a flat tummy, while leaving the curves in place.
Tummy Tucks & African American Skin
Tummy tucks, like any surgery, involved incisions. And, because African American skin is somewhat more prone to scarring and developing dark spots, it is important to select a tummy tuck surgeon who understands black skin.
Just like black hair, black skin has a different texture – so make sure you select a plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali who understands and has experience working with black skin texture.
Dr. Ali takes specific steps when performing tummy tucks on African-American patients to help reduce the chances of poor quality scar. Although keloid scarring is generally less common than people realize – Dr. Ali will carefully evaluated your skin and your medical history to make sure a tummy tuck is right for you. In some cases Dr. Ali can even utilize internal sutures – and/or surgical glue instead of stitches – to help prevent the formation of scars.