Binder for Panni/Bra Question

I am scheduled for a Panni/Mini Abdominoplasty/BL/BA in April.  My surgeons office has told me to purchase a binder & gave me an example of one from Macy's which is called a "Instant Slimmer", so I'm thinking this may be like Spanx.  My question is what size should I buy?  Should I go larger due to swelling & drains? 

Also, for the bra they gave me an example from the website "MakeMeHeal" -- the description of the bra states it will help with healing, help with swelling, etc.  I don't have a problem buying it if this is really beneficial -- or did any of you find any bra will work?

Your comments/advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

You really want your binder or compression garment to be snug.  It will help with your incisions and it will help decrease your swelling.  I don't think, personally, the Instant Slimmer will do what you need it to do initially.  Maybe after the first 6 weeks, but right after surgery, you want good compression.  I got my compression garments from my surgeon and he purchased them from Design Veronique.  They are expensive and you can get similar items at Marena.com.  For the initial garment get the one with the zipper so it is easier to get into after surgery when you have your drains and dressings.  You really don't want something that will pull on your incisions while you're trying to wiggle it on.  That's how Spanx are.  The garments that are meant for plastic surgery patients have the hooks in the crotch area for bathroom use.  It makes it easy since you don't have to take the entire garment off.  The stage 2 garments without the zippers work best after 6 weeks. 
Check them out and see what you think.  I have been extremely pleased with mine.

you need a good compression garment
www.marenagroup.com

Hey Cleos_mom!
I love the Marena garments!  That's what I use now!  The stage2 garments for my arms and TT.

I measured and ordered my garment before surgery, and it was way too snug - I only wore it twice - too tight on the arms and rode up my crotch.  I feel like I wasted money.  I followed the guidelines for measuring exactly.  I guess I was more swollen or something.  I just used the binder I got at the hospital and ace wraps for my arms.  Both worked fine for about 4 weeks, then I stopped.  Can't speak to the bra issue, didn't have breasts done.  Good luck!

I just had panni removal on Monday.  The doc told me to wear the binder from the hospital for the first 4 weeks.  After that she suggested getting compression garments for added support until I feel healed well enough.  She said they can fit me after 3 weeks out  and suggest garments at my follow appointment.  I think it makes good sense to me simply because my swelling has changed every day so far and with the drains...  I couldn't wear a compression garment yet. 

I looked at the instant slimmers and I think they seem wayyyy to weak compared to my hospital binder.  It may be fine once the swelling is gone and I am at a somewhat normal stage.

Good Luck!!!

I love my plastics!!!!

Huge hugz,
Tracy

I prefer the compression of the Veronique garment but the crotch is open so I prefer the 2nd stage garment from Marena that has hooks and eyes for the crotch. You definitely need more compression than spanx. Right now they still aren't enough for me. People swell differently and I had a second surgery due to an infection but I am still swelling. When I've tried flexies (similar to spanx) I feel awful by the end of the day.

Thank you to all of you who took time to respond, and to Tracy, just short of a week, I hope I'm feeling well enough to be online.  I appreciate all of your advise & will either stay in the hospital binder or will definitely buy one from Merina.