Question:
For a tummy tuck is should the compression garment extend all the way to the

knee? What type did you use?    — Michelle H. (posted on June 9, 2004)

June 9, 2004
i had a abdominalplasty with liposuction of hipe buttocks and upper thieghs. if you dont have any liposuction i would recomened at least to the upper theigh. you will have swelling in the surrounding areas. the compression garments prevents that. more imporantly you want the skin to adhere back to the muscle. you dont want pockets of fluids making you look lumpy. you want that firm tight look.you will wear that garment at least 6 weeks 24/7 then 12 hours a day. there will come a point when youn you will look foward to wearing it. you will like the support it gives you. all the best! Tracey
   — traceybubbles

June 9, 2004
I had a full TT (anchor) about 6 wks. ago. The binder they gave me in the hospital didn't seem wide enough to me. It basically covered only my mid-section - not high enough to the breast bone and not low enough to the pubic bone. So, a few days after I got home, I switched over to a regular, good brand, one-peice bra girdle that was knee-length. I bought it one size smaller than I expected to need. Boy it felt so GREAT! It kept me completely tight and in place. When I'd turn over in bed,or make any type of movements, it didn't hurt my incision area at all because I was compressed so tightly. It was sort of a pain to get on and off, but well worth it and I highly recommend it. I used it for just over 4 weeks and have seen a great result with the reduction of swelling and puffiness. Now, I have switched to wearing the ultra high waist lycra stretch panties from Wal-Mart. They extend up to my bra line and although they're not nearly as tight as the girdle, they do give me the feeling of support and firmness that I still need at this time. Honestly I don't want to give them up any time soon! Hope this helps - good luck with your surgery!
   — Mary W.

June 9, 2004
If your just having a tt and no work done on your legs, a good panty girdle is pretty much all you need.
   — Patty H.

June 10, 2004
Michelle, I had a Lower Body life 4 wks ago, I woke up in the hospital in a 4 panel Binder. I wore it every monet 24/7 for 3 wks. When I went back to work a week ago, i switched to wearing a girdle, more panty type. I cannot wear anything to the knees and thru the thighs b/c my saddle bags are still very numb from the lipo. P.S. I still wear the binder at night to sleep in!
   — heathercross

June 10, 2004
I have my zoot suit, as I lovingly call it. Extends from my calves to just under the breasts. It is a stage one garment so it unzips 90% of the way on both sides and has hooks. This allows the garment to be put on properly without pulling across fresh incisions and across very sore areas from liposuction. I had a LBL (which included a full extended abdominoplasty - 360 degree cut and an anchor incision plus a lateral thigh lift) and now extensive lipo in the legs in prep for the skin removal and the upper portion of the abdominoplasty to get the skin above the belly button off. Both times I am wearing the same zoot suit and it does really make things feel better like the others said. You will look forward to it for quite a while. I expect to be in the garment 24/7 for at least 2 months because of the extensive leg swelling I have and then likely at night for at least another month. Who knows, maybe I'll be wearing it under my wedding dress in 4 months. LOL
   — zoedogcbr