If you’ve had a tummy tuck what items do you wish you would have had?

what did you have that was a must/life saver?

did you go and have lymphatic massages? Or do it yourself?

thanks in advance!

it's been a while for me, but I had to buy shapewear (e.g. Spanx - although I think mine were Maidenform? Can't remember) and wear it for several months. The surgeon actually recommended it, and I'm glad he did. I didn't have any lymphatic massages - not sure if anyone around here does them.

1) a (well fitting) faja...i bought mine off amazon and had my mom tailor it to fit me...i was/am on the small side and those things did not come in my size...unless i paid $300+ (CAD) for them from specialty manufacturer.

2) a cane. dont laugh! i borrowed one from my mom because omg the back pain from walking around hunched over. i have not-so-fond memories of me hobbling around costco and the mall like a little old lady:

3) scar tape. it works.

4) a firm/hard pillow to sleep on to be elevated (i slept sitting up-ish) and to help get out of bed...i just took one of the back cushions from my couch downstairs and used it for as long as i needed.

5) a stool or something to sit on in the shower.

i didn't do massages, but i've heard its helpful.

I also recommend at least 2 sets of good shape wear (not too tight). It helped with the swelling and comfort.
I had lymphatic massages immediate after and they worked. Only go to someone who knows what they are doing or it’s just a very expensive regular massage. I was able to do them myself after a while and I recruited my BF (with our rolling pin) to do the areas I couldn’t reach.

17 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

a cane. dont laugh! i borrowed one from my mom because omg the back pain from walking around hunched over

Knowing how fit you are, I imagined you as Gene Wilder at the beginning of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in his cane fake out scene.

I bought a wedge pillow set off Amazon. I had a large wedge pillow I used behind my upper body and a smaller wedge to use under my knees. I’ll second the scar tape as well

❤️Thank you all!!!

Edited May 8, 20242 yr by funky_monkey800

I bought way too much stuff. My only must haves were a shower chair and wedge pillow, and extra pillows. As far as massages and compression, that is all dependent on your surgeon's instructions.