TT Compression Garment Advice Please

He said that he stitches the stomach down so much that there is really no room for fluid to collect.  He thinks drains can be an inroad for infection (makes sense to me) and when there is not much fluid drains are not worth the risk.    He may use them on a anchor TT, he did not on mine.

Drains are pretty uncomfortable, and if they are in the mons they are horrible. You are fortunate that you did not have to have them. 

Spend the money on the marena, or a compression garment like it. I don't think a binder supplies enough support. I can't help you with sizing. The doc measured me and then put the garment on while I was still on the table. But the folks at marena are happy to help!

I ordered the Marena garment stage 1.  I used my current measurements before surgery and got the large.  I weigh 155 lbs. at the time.  After surgery the garment fit real snug but not painful.  After about 3 weeks of wearing the garment, I got where I wore it only in the day time and took it off at night because of excessive swelling in the day.  I felt it was cutting into me.  I ordered two of these garments for about $230.00 total and they were worth every penny.  Hook and eye with zippers on both sides and wide open crotch for going to the bathroom for #1 or #2, no problem.  I believe it took me three days to receive my garment after I placed the order on the internet.  Quick service.  I also got the men's size small sleeveless cotton t-shirts to wear underneath to help with the itching and protection of the scar lines.  I cut the bottom hem off the T-shirts so they were more comfortable on my hips.  I bought the flexee's after the Marena garment to wear for the next 2 months after I spent the first 8 weeks in the Marena outfit.  I got the Flexee's at JC Penney's.  I did not like the Spanx.

It's good to know I don't have to order a stage 1 for just a void of weeks and then a stage 2. We're about the same height and weight and large seemed right on the Marena size chart. Did you buy one that when above your knees--or mud-calf like Angela? With my arms being done, not having to pull it on and off to go to the bathroom sounds like a blessing. I'll use my hubbies sleeveless undershirts underneath. Thanks for mentioning Flexee's; I've never heard of them so I'll check them out.

Jenn

I got the one that goes to the knee, not calf.  It became a security blanket for me for about 8 weeks.  If it becomes loose on you after awhile, you just put some padding like a soft towel around the loose area inside and zip back up.

Did you get regular stage 1 or the reinforced stage 1?

I got the regular stage 1.  I ordered two of these garments so that I could wash one while I had the other on.  They were about $220.00 for both but well worth the money.  I wore them for 8 weeks day and night until about the last week and then just in the day time only.  I still will wear one occasionally when I am wearing a real slim fitting dress.  It really makes might whole figure look great!

Thanks Tess. I ordered one last night.  I can't wait to get it. Thanks for your help.

I had the fleur de lis tummy tuck on 9/11/13.  They had me buy the Marena one that goes under the breast and down to the knees. I was 173 at time of surgery and the nurse measured me and had me buy a size large.  It is very tight, but totally helps with the swelling.  I had almost no swelling at all.  I had to wear this for the first 2 weeks, almost 24 hours a day and then I was able to wear spanx. They said to wear the spanx though week 6 and then at least when I am working out.  The six week mark is tomorrow and there is no way I can go without wearing the spanx yet.  I tried not wearing it over the weekend and after a few hours my stomach starts to ache in the middle between the belly button and pubic area.  So I will be wearing something for a lot longer than 6 weeks.