Compression Garments After a Tummy Tuck

December 15, 2019
4:05 pm

Everyone who gets a tummy tuck wants great results, and a Board Certified plastic surgeon is key. However, the surgery itself is a short event in comparison to what comes after: recovery. Recovery is extremely important when it comes to getting the results you want. This is actually good news, because it means you play a significant role in your results. You and your surgeon are a team, and you have a lot of power to control how your body turns out.

After a tummy tuck operation, you will have several followup visits so that your surgeon can ensure your recovery is going well. One of the things you’ll probably talk about is compression garments. In fact, you will have talked about them before your operation. Compression garments are your friend during recovery, and using them is one of the best things you can do to ensure you get the results for which you paid. The biggest mistake you can make is to not wear them. The amount of time you wear them will be determined by your surgeon, but you can probably expect to wear them up to two weeks after your operation.

What are compression garments?

The compression gear you wear after a tummy tuck will be a lot like a girdle or Spanx. At first, it will fasten with zippers and hooks and eyelets. This makes it easier to use when you are sore. Once you recover more, you’ll probably graduate to seamless garments. Again these are absolutely essential to achieving your desired results.

Why are compression garments so important?

We keep saying that compression garments are needed to achieve results. What do we mean? When you have surgery, your body sees it as a trauma. Fluid leaks from capillaries and blood vessels into the tissues, which slows down healing. The fluid can accumulate so much that the body gets infected, inflamed, or separates your incision. That can give you permanent lumps and bumps. The compression garment prevents complications by putting consistent pressure on the affected area. It also ensures that your skin molds to the tissue below, ensuring smoothness and even distribution.

How should my compression garment fit?

A garment that is too tight or too loose will do more harm than good. Make sure your garment isn’t too tight by checking for rolls and folds. On the other hand, if your garment won’t stay in place, it is too loose. A good garment will not only have shoulder straps, but it will have a panty extension to make sure it doesn’t roll up. The groin area needs plenty of compression after a tummy tuck, as it is a place where fluid easily gets trapped.

At Front Range Plastic and Surgery, we understand that recovery almost always takes longer than expected. Don’t let impatience get the better of you. Instead, make sure you follow your surgeon’s advice to the letter. You will be glad you did. Our Board Certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Schutte, will help you get there!

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