Are you imagining your new, flattened belly and how you’ll look stretched out on a beach towel in your two-piece? Dr. Clavijo-Alvarez of ReNova Plastic Surgery has helped many patients get the flat stomach they’ve dreamed of, but were unable to achieve with diet and exercise alone. After surgery, you will most likely have many new clothing options available to you — clothes you might never have tried prior to your tummy tuck. Here we discuss what to wear for the first weeks and months after tummy tuck surgery, for a safe, comfortable recovery and for rockin’ your new body after you’re healed.
What to Wear after Surgery
Following your surgery, Dr. Clavijo-Alvarez will put you in a compression garment, which is a soft, surgical girdle-like garment that fits over your abdomen and compresses it, which helps with swelling post-surgery. After the first few days, you can take off the compression garment as you bathe and go to the bathroom, however you will need to wear it the majority of the time in the weeks after surgery. Typically, Dr. Clavijo-Alvarez’s patients will wear this garment for about four to six weeks following their tummy tuck. Most of the swelling usually goes down after three weeks, though it may take eight to 12 weeks for it to disappear completely.
What to Wear While You Recover
Once your doctor has advised you that you no longer need your compression garment, you will still want to wear comfortable clothing for the next few weeks. Your best bet is clothing that is soft, not stiff, and also easy to put on and take off. Clothing like yoga pants, sweatpants with a drawstring or elastic waist, loose dresses (like maxis) or skirts are all good options. Shirts and sweaters that can be buttoned or zipped up from the front are also excellent choices.
What to Wear When You’re Ready to Flaunt Your New Belly
Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for: you are now fully healed from surgery and your swelling has resolved so that you can see your new, flat belly! Ready to shop for the new you? Most tummy tuck patients find that they are one or two pant sizes smaller after surgery, so don’t forget to take some smaller sizes into the dressing room with you. Skinny jeans and form-fitting dresses are great options for you! And if you’re worried about your scars showing in a new bikini, keep in mind that the scar will be low on your abdomen, and easily concealed by most bikini bottoms. Also keep in mind that, by following your doctor’s post-operative instructions for scar treatment, your scar will most likely fade completely in several months (though it may take a full year).
Do you have more questions about the tummy tuck procedure, including what results you can expect and how long to take off from work for recovery? Let Dr. Clavijo-Alvarez answer all of your questions during a personal consultation. Schedule one today by calling ReNova Plastic Surgery at (412) 638-2391.
