The dreaded pregnancy weight. Now that you’ve had your baby, you’re probably wondering how to rid yourself of those excess pounds. Most likely, you’ve already tried crunches, sit-ups, and all those other abdominal exercises that are part of the post-pregnancy workout.

Postpartum support, such as a post-natal girdle, is key to firming your body and tightening that postpartum belly. A postpartum compression girdle or a postpartum support belt will also help reduce or eliminate stretch marks.

If diet, exercise, and postpartum compression aren’t enough to get your body back into shape, you may want to consider a mommy makeover. A mommy makeover, also known as body sculpting, is plastic surgery to help restore your body to its pre-pregnancy shape. Your postpartum cosmetic surgery options include tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, or a combination of procedures.

No matter which surgery you choose, you’ll want to wear a compression garment during your plastic surgery recovery. There are a variety of tummy tuck support garments, liposuction support garments, and breast surgery support garments to choose from.

Knowing the facts can help you recovery faster from your plastic surgery

There are several ways to speed up your plastic surgery recovery time:

1. Plan ahead for your recovery time. First, ask your doctor how long the plastic surgery recovery should take. Being frustrated by a slow healing process will place a lot of stress on your body, and that can add to the amount of time it will take to feel 100 percent.
2. Take it easy during your plastic surgery recovery. Don’t plan a lot of activities and events or increase your workload. This is the time to take it easy and allow your body to rebound.
3. Be prepared for an “ugly ducking” phase. Immediately after your surgery you will experience a lot of bruising, swelling and redness. Worrying about your looks during this period will cause you a lot of stress as well. Within a couple of weeks you’ll start to see the new, beautiful you.
4. Drink a lot of water. Hydration is one of the single most important components of the healing process. Drink at least eight full glasses of water every day.
5. Follow the doctor’s orders. He or she knows more about plastic surgery recovery and the healing process than you do.

After plastic surgery you should wear a compression garment.  These garments, also known as post surgical recovery garments, can help keep the shape of your new body while decreasing the swelling and bruising.  Because these recovery garments must be worn throughout the day, it’s a good idea to keep two on hand.

Depending on the procedure, you might need an abdominal binder, or a compression girdle and for those who are undergoing a full body make over – like a mommy makeover – a full body compression garment is your best bet.

Also scar creams and gels can help with the scars left from the surgery.

Second Stage Garments by ContourMD

If you are planning a plastic surgery procedure, you’ll need to invest in a compression garment. Compression garments, also known as plastic surgery recovery garments or post-surgical garments, improve circulation, help rid the body of potentially harmful fluids, reduce swelling, and decrease plastic surgery recovery time.

Immediately after your surgery, you’ll need a first stage recovery garment. The type of compression garment you need will depend on your type of surgery. If you are undergoing a breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, breast lift, or arm lift, you’ll need a compression vest or a post-surgical bra. For liposuction or a tummy tuck, you’ll want to purchase an abdominal binder, a compression girdle, or a body shaper. Facial compression wraps are recommended for facelift surgery.

A few weeks after your plastic surgery, your plastic surgeon may tell you to switch to a second stage compression garment. Second stage recovery garments are less bulky than first stage recovery garments. But don’t let the lightweight material fool you. Second stage recovery garments still provide compression, which increases circulation and helps the body heal.

Because second stage recovery garments are less restrictive than first stage compression garments, they can easily be worn undetected underneath everyday clothing. Second stage recovery garments come in a variety of styles. Mid-thigh girdles and mid-calf girdles fit well under shorts, capris, or skirts. Since they are lightweight, they are a good choice during the hot summer. Ankle body garments may be more comfortable under slacks and can add an extra layer of warmth during the cold winter months.

Whether you need a first stage compression garment or a second stage recovery garment, keep in mind that plastic surgery recovery can last several weeks, so it a good idea to have more than one post-surgical recovery garment on hand.

Second Stage Ankle Girdle

You’re 2-3 weeks out from your plastic surgery and your plastic surgeon gives you the okay to switch to a second stage compression garment. But do you really need that second stage garment?

Second stage recovery garments are less bulky and more lightweight than surgical recovery garments, but they still provide light compression, which increases circulation and helps the body mold to its new shape. Second stage garments are less restrictive than traditional surgical compression garments and can easily be worn undetected underneath everyday clothing, so there really isn’t a good reason not to wear one.

Second stage recovery garments come in a variety of styles. Mid-thigh girdles and mid-calf girdles may be a good option for wearing with shorts, capris, or skirts, or as a lightweight option during the hot summer months. Ankle body garments may be more comfortable for wearing with slacks or as an extra layer of warmth during the harsh months of winter.

Whichever style you choose, keep in mind that plastic surgery recovery can last several weeks, so it a good idea to have more than one second stage garment on hand.

Abdominal Binder by Silhouette

When preparing for your tummy tuck surgery, one of the things you’ll need to do to is buy a recovery garment to wear immediately after your abdominoplasty surgery. The purpose of this post-surgical garment is to decrease swelling, increase circulation, and reduce plastic surgery recovery time.

The key to choosing an abdominoplasty compression garment for tummy tuck surgery is to find one that is sturdy and offers the right amount of support, but is also comfortable. Available options include abdominal binders, abdominal panties, girdles, and body shapers.

Abdominal binders are designed for both female tummy tuck and male tummy tuck. Since abdominal binders only cover the abdominal region, they can be easily hidden under clothing, and may be the most comfortable choice for abdominoplasty recovery during the hot summer months.

Abdominal panties are similar to abdominal binders. The main difference is that they fit like underwear, but they have a side zipper and an eye closure on the crotch panel.

Girdles and body shapers come in many shapes. Mid-calf girdles or mid-calf body shapers may be a good option if you are planning to wear skirts or dresses following your tummy tuck procedure. Ankle-length girdles or ankle-length body shapers may be a more comfortable option if you prefer to wear pants, and can serve as an extra source of warmth during the winter.

Plastic surgery recovery garments are typically worn continuously for several weeks, so it is a good idea to have more than one on hand.

If you are planning to have liposuction, you’ll need to think about buying a recovery garment to wear immediately after your liposuction surgery and for several weeks thereafter. The purpose of these post-surgical garments is to decrease swelling, increase circulation, and reduce plastic surgery recovery time.

The key to choosing a liposuction compression garment for liposuction surgery is to find one that offers support, but is also comfortable. Among your garment options are abdominal binders, girdles, and body shapers.

Abdominal binders are generally used after liposuction of the abdomen, and are designed for both female liposuction and male liposuction. Since abdominal binders only cover the abdominal region, they can be easily hidden under clothing, and may be the most comfortable choice for liposuction recovery during the hot summer months.

Girdles and body shapers come in many shapes, and are worn following liposuction of the hip, thigh, buttocks, or abdomen. Mid-calf girdles or mid-calf body shapers may be a good option if you are planning to wear skirts or dresses following your liposuction procedure. Ankle-length girdles or ankle-length body shapers may be a more comfortable option if you prefer to wear pants, and can serve as an extra source of warmth during the winter.

Plastic surgery recovery garments are typically worn continuously for several weeks, so it is a good idea to have more than one on hand.

Breast augmentation recovery may be easier than you think. A high-quality breast augmentation recovery garment may be just what the doctor ordered to reduce post-surgery swelling and decrease breast augmentation recovery time.

Breast augmentation compression garments are specifically designed to stabilize breast implants, keep them in their correct position, and prevent the breast implant’s natural tendency to rise. Options for breast enhancement post-surgical garments include augmentation bandeaus, compression vests, and compression and post-surgical bras. Which one is best for you will depend on your breast implant size and what type of breast implant surgery you are having.

Breast augmentation bandeaus are designed to be used following sub-muscular breast augmentation. They help to prevent breast implant migration. Compression vests are available with sleeves or without sleeves, and may be a good choice for women with large breast implants who want a bit more breast support. Compression bras come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are a good option for every day wear.

Since breast augmentation recovery garments are usually worn continuously for several weeks, it may be best to have more than one on hand.