Struggle to get on Spanx, Flexees etc.

How hard did (do) you have to struggle to get the compression garments on?  I am worried about pulling on my incisions.  Do I need a bigger size?  I've tried multiple brands.  Which ones have open crotches?  

I am 14 days out from fleur-de-lis, muscle tightening, hernia repair and mastopexy.

Thanks, Meg

I used the Flexees brand and it was just a girdle that I stepped into. I had no trouble pulling it up. I also did not have much swelling to deal with. It had the open crotch.

I hated mine - I had two different sizes. Plus I hated the fact that to go to the bathroom I had to pull them off just when psychologically I wanted the compression. With the permission of my surgeon, I decided to just stick with my abdominal binder - it's so easy to take on and off.

From what I have seen, even those wearing spanx type boy short girdles with the open crotch still pull them off to go to the bathroom.

edited to improve grammar

The Spanx I had to pull off but the fullbody flexee with snap open crotch I didn't have to. It has three snaps or hooks and it open all the way up over the butt and front area. I wore it with my own undies and it worked great! I couldn't have done if I had to pull it off each time!

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=3768 40&CategoryID=20991#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D30

I have a flexees garment and it's pretty tight but I didn't even attempt to put it on till about 6 weeks out.  I really didn't like that I had to pull it down to poop so I just decided to stay in my original compression garments that the Doc provided me with after surgery.  Those have the hooks and zippers on the sides and are easy to use and don't show under my clothes.  Even the store brand ones that have open crotches are only meant for peeing.  But you could cut the crotch opening on the flexees and make it larger.  I've done so with mine and it works much better.  So now at 10 weeks out I alternate between the flexees and the original  ones.  With any luck I'll be out of compression in a couple more weeks.

Laura

 My surgeon, at two weeks post-op, has me in both the compression garment and band provided after surgery . . .   I wonder if this is atypical?

Not atypical at all.  I had to wear the one my surgeon gave me for 6 weeks and then I could use the 2nd stage or the full body flexees one.  I prefered the full body flexee with the bra cutout.  I have to use my own bra since I haven't been lifted yet!

The full body flexees with the bra cut out has a snap crotch and it's not that difficult to get into.  But the first stage garments at www.marenagroup.com were the ones I used until 6 weeks out.  I was afraid of the pulling on the incision line too.
You can order the full body flexee with the bra cutouts from maidenform.
For me Spanx just never gave me good support in the mons area and I hated having the crotch open!