What to Wear After a Tummy Tuck

If you plan to have a tummy tuck, you might be thinking about how you'll show off your new figure after surgery. However, you'll have several weeks of recovery ahead of you before you can start slipping into bikinis and body-con dresses. As your body heals, wearing the right clothes is necessary to control swelling and help you stay comfortable. We'll cover what you should wear in the weeks after your procedure as you look forward to stepping out and making the most of your new silhouette.

What to Wear After Surgery

When you wake up after your surgery, your tummy will be bandaged up. Right away, the staff will dress you in a medical compression garment like a soft fabric girdle that compresses your abdomen. Wearing this garment helps reduce swelling after surgery and promotes healing.

In the first few days after surgery, you'll need to wear your post-tummy tuck compression garment at all times, except when you shower. To make these garments less noticeable, you can choose a shade similar to your skin tone and wear loose clothes that drape gently on your body. At Leonisa, we offer several post-surgical compression garments to aid your recovery. They're available in different colors and styles to pair with various clothing choices.

After a week, you may be able to take off the compression garment for a few hours a day if your doctor gives permission. You will still need to wear the garment regularly for several hours a day for four to six weeks post-surgery. Wearing the garment as directed will help keep the swelling down and promote faster healing. You should usually see your new figure emerge after three weeks. Your swelling should be gone after eight to 12 weeks, and you can enjoy your new tummy!

What to Wear During Recovery

After a tummy tuck, your compression garment is your base layer, and you'll obviously need clothes to wear over it as things get back to normal. When you leave the hospital, you should wear soft, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes with simple fastenings like elastic, drawstrings and zippers.

For the first two weeks after your tummy tuck, prioritize wearing stretchy, breathable fabrics like cotton, modal and jersey that will keep you clean and cool. You'll want to keep your skin dry to reduce the chance of infection, and you must also avoid clothes that could rub against or irritate your incisions.

Every post-tummy tuck wardrobe should include easy-on, easy-off clothes. Be sure to have a few loose dresses or loose pairs of pants with coordinating shirts in soft fabrics. Since it may be hard to lift your arms over your head for a few days, choosing clothes that can easily zip, button or tie closed in front is important. You'll also want to round things out with sweaters, socks and a soft bathrobe.

Yoga pants, sweatpants, and maxi skirts with elastic or drawstring waists are great to wear once swelling diminishes. After a few weeks, your doctor may allow you to alternate your compression garment with tummy control shapewear during the day. As you get more active, you can start wearing more of your favorite clothes and try new, figure-flattering styles.

What to Wear After Recovery

Once you recover from your tummy tuck and your doctor approves, you can stop wearing your compression garment. You may notice that your clothes fit differently and discover you can wear a smaller size. When your swelling has fully resolved, you may find yourself motivated to show off your new, flatter tummy in body-hugging outfits!

The Right Clothes Will Give You Comfort and Confidence After a Tummy Tuck

When you wear the right clothes and garments post-surgery, the care you take will surely show in the end. Leonisa is here to help along your journey with compression garments and everyday shapewear that enhances your