What should I wear after a tummy tuck?

If you’re preparing for tummy tuck surgery, you might be staring at your closet thinking, “Will any of this fit me after surgery?,” “Will any of this be comfortable?,” and, most likely, “When can I start wearing the type of clothes I’ve been looking forward to?”

These are great questions, and ones we go over when talking tummy tuck clothes with our patients. Planning ahead for your post-surgery wardrobe will put you ahead of the game when it comes to minimizing hassle and maximizing comfort as you heal. So let’s get into it!

First things first: how long is tummy tuck recovery? 

Healing time after abdominoplasty varies depending on the individual patient, the extent of surgery, and how well post-op instructions were followed. Depending on your job, you may be able to get back to work within two weeks. By around the two to three-month mark, patients are back to most daily activities without restriction. And, even though our patients are very happy with their outcome by this point, tummy tuck results can continue to take shape for six months or longer.

What to wear to your abdominoplasty surgery

The first thing you’ll want to plan is what to wear on the day of your procedure. Comfort and ease are the priorities here, so avoid anything with a tight or unforgiving waist. We recommend loose-fitting sweats or shorts with a drawstring closure. A button or zip-up top is also a must, as you’ll be limited in how much you can raise your shoulders to avoid straining the incision sites. 

Choose comfortable slip-ons or sandals for footwear, leave the jewelry at home, and make sure you have plenty of extra clean clothes ready. You may also consider a trip to the salon for a low-maintenance hairstyle—anything to make your early recovery days as comfy as possible!

Wear compression garments as directed

We know, they’re not pretty. But compression clothing is important to the healing process. Compression helps keep swelling in check, and provides essential support to healing scars. 

For patients having a full tummy tuck or mommy makeover, garments will typically be a bodysuit or high girdle, with or without a surgical bra. Those having a mini-tummy tuck might do well with high-waisted compression briefs, or even Spanx. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on what’s most appropriate for your case.

Compression is typically worn 24/7, except when showering, for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Many patients continue to wear their tummy tuck garments after this time when exercising or performing strenuous work in order to have the extra support.

How to dress after the first few weeks

The first two weeks of tummy tuck recovery are the most uncomfortable. Swelling will peak after a couple of days, but after that you’ll feel noticeably better each day. Once your drains have been removed, usually one to two weeks after surgery, you’ll start to feel a lot better. In general, though, for the first month you’ll want to stick to loose, drawstring pants; button up tops and sweaters; and flowy, button-up dresses.

Most patients get the green light to wear whatever they want by two to three months after surgery. Let comfort (and your plastic surgeon’s recommendations) be your guide. Factor in your compression garments when choosing sleeve styles for a month or two, as tank tops or strappy sundresses may not be the best choice if you don’t like the idea of having your bodysuit (or surgical bra straps if you also had breast surgery) showing.

Plan your post-surgery wardrobe around any compression garments, which are usually worn around the clock for several weeks.

Wearing a swimsuit after a tummy tuck

One thing our Reading tummy tuck patients most look forward to after their procedures is sporting fun and flattering swimwear. We advise our patients to schedule surgery three months before any beach trips for two main reasons: One, incision sites are still susceptible to infection for the first six weeks, so swimming is not allowed. Two, you’ll still need compression garments, which historically don’t fit well with swimwear, during this time.

Your plastic surgeon will help you determine when it’s okay to don a bathing suit sans compression. When that day comes — and from every day after that — wear sunscreen. Even though tummy tuck scars are usually placed low enough to be covered by bikini bottoms, swimsuit fabric is rarely enough to block harmful UV radiation. Healing skin is focused on healing and regenerating, and is more vulnerable to the sun’s rays than the rest of the skin (you should still wear sunscreen on all exposed skin). Excess sun exposure can irritate scars, slow healing, and cause scars to darken, sometimes permanently. 

While it takes a little patience at first, the majority of patients agree that abdominoplasty is highly rewarding, helping to address issues ranging from loose skin and fat to back pain. Rediscovering what clothing makes you feel great is an added benefit! 

If you’re considering a tummy tuck in Reading, PA, we invite you to call 610-320-0200 or contact us online! In addition to tummy tucks, our plastic surgeons, Dr. Brian Reedy and Dr. Scott Lindsay, offer a range of surgical and non-surgical body contouring options, including CoolSculpting, BodyTite skin tightening, liposuction, and fully personalized mommy makeover plans. We would love to help you explore your options and determine a plan that’s right for you.