We Found The Best Fajas for Tummy Tuck - Shapewear & More

With the advent of new cosmetic surgery and procedures becoming more available to the average citizen, we’re completely used to seeing persons going and getting their bodies done. After the whole Kim Kardashian saga that completely revolutionized beauty standards for our generation, we have seen many women changing their bodies to fit this ideal. 

This is not the only reason though, as a 2018 study showed that full body surgeries were not the only cosmetic procedures being done. Nose reshaping and eyelid surgery ranked number 2 and 3 on the list, respectively. And these numbers have kept trending upwards, with almost every celebrity or model, skinny or plus size, has seemingly had something done.

While BBLs (Brazilian butt lift) and lipos are on the rise, there is also a small subsection of women who are choosing to do the less invasive tummy tuck surgery. According to the Plastic Surgery organization in the aforementioned study,  over 130,000 tummy tuck procedures were completed in 2017, and that number has gradually increased over the past 5 years. 

But what is this tummy control cosmetic surgery, and what exactly does it do? 

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, scientifically referred to as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess fat and loose skin around the abdomen while restoring weakened abdominal muscles that have prolapsed or lost their shape. Essentially, surgeons remove this excess sagging skin and restore these abdominal muscles to give you the appearance of a ‘normal’ stomach.   

This is normally necessary when you have aged, are in a postpartum period, are genetically predisposed to it or have been having dramatic fluctuations in weight. According to the doctor’s advise, a tummy tuck is not the right procedure for those who want to lose weight, but it is ideal for those who have already lost the weight, and are experiencing a weakened core and saggy, loose skin. 

Are Tummy Tucks for everyone?

Though adult women normally make up the majority of statistics for cosmetic surgical procedures such as a tummy tuck, they are not the only ones that these body shaper procedures are geared towards. In fact, more and more men have begun taking an interest in tummy tucks, especially men of a certain age and demographic. 

This is because a tummy tuck tightens the midsection, and after decades of working hard and possibly drinking hard too, many men need that extra help to remain slim and trim. Tummy tucks are for men, women and all adults, but going to see a doctor for a consultation will be the best way to determine if it will work based on your body type. 

Tummy Tuck Recovery – Is there an average recovery time?

Like most other cosmetic surgeries or any surgery at all for that matter, tummy tucks have an average time post-surgery, that is needed to help your body heal from this invasive procedure that was just completed. This period is called the tummy tuck recovery, and there is no specific time that is ideal for everyone. 

In fact, your recovery period will vary based on several different factors. Some of the most important ones are:

• the type of tummy tuck you have done
• your age
• how healthy and fit you are holistically 
• and your post-op care

When it comes to the type of tummy tuck you can have, there are a lot of varieties. These include a mini tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, an extended tummy tuck and even a tummy tuck with liposuction. There are many other options that you can discuss with your surgeon, but these all have a different time frame for recovery, based on the extensiveness of the procedure you choose.

You may be wondering why this is important. It is simply because the type of tummy tuck you do will inform the way you heal. In other words, if you do a tummy tuck that is more extensive such as a tummy tuck with liposuction, then the healing process will be significantly longer than if you just did a mini tummy tuck.

While recovery is a very extensive and detailed process, the most important instructions are to follow the recommendations of your surgeon for the best results. 

Should you wear Shapewear Bodysuit Post Surgery?

Despite the extensiveness of the tummy tuck you do, there is one recommended doctor’s advice across the board when going through your recovery process. That is simply that you need a medical-grade compression garment, more commonly known as a faja garment or shapewear bodysuit, to aid in the recovery process. 

You need to wear a faja colombianas after your tummy tuck. In fact, your plastic surgeon will tell you to wear breathable Colombian fajas post-op. Firstly, they are crucial to help protect your incisions  immediately in the post-surgery period, even though they are already covered with bandages and gauzes. Fajas provide that extra layer of protection that helps to keep harmful bacteria away from those incisions. 

Colombian Faja garments are also necessary to speed up your healing process and get rid of or reduce any excess skin or sagging that may naturally happen due to the procedure. When you consider the post-op pain, and occasional swelling or bruising, fajas also help to reduce the risk of you having any of those issues.

How long do you need Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck?

These tummy tuck compression garments, fajas, shapewear, or body shapers, whichever term you use, are generally recommended for an average of 4 to 12 weeks post-surgery, depending on the seriousness of the procedure.

During this time, you are expected to wear this post-op compression garment every day and to only take it off when taking a shower. After consistent use, your surgeon or nurse will generally instruct you on the timeline where you can start wearing it gradually until the recovery process has run its course.

The timeframe immediately post tummy tuck is very crucial to take full care of yourself. You should take as long as your body needs and not rush the healing process. You must keep wearing the bodysuit or compression garment for your own safety! 

Types of Shapewear needed for Tummy Tuck Recovery

There are a lot of shapewear and fajas on the market, as the rise of plastic surgery has caused a rise in the shapewear availability, but with so many options to choose from, how do you decide which is best for you? 

Medical-grade colombian fajas/ tummy tuck compression garments are shapewears that has been crafted and designed with you, and your post-op needs in mind. These types of shapewear or bodysuits are crafted with high-quality materials, are very comfortable and tend to provide that ideal high-quality compression that your body needs to hold everything in place. 

They generally are sold in stages based on the level of recovery that you are at, as some will ultimately be more highly compressed than others, and the ones you need will change based on your stages of recovery. 

Shapewear / Comlombian Fajas for Week 1 of Recovery

Stage 1 is generally the most serious stage of recovery, and it generally requires ultra-high compression fajas or shapewear. During the first week after your tummy tuck surgery, patients generally may experience some pain, tightness and possible bruising or swelling. Your tummy tuck incisions will generally still require bandages which need to be replaced every other day. 

At this point, you should wear a high-compression faja or waist trainer that is effective but not too tight to the point that it is restrictive. Because it may be difficult for you to move, you should also choose a faja that is easy to put on, and that stays in place so that it is convenient for you. You also want to make sure that the faja can be removed and put on with minimum effort, and in a way that will cause minimal to no pain or bruising. 

The Luxx Curves Perfect Curves waist trainer is a great faja that provides high compression and is easy to put on and take off on your own. It is available in short, medium and long torso options, and a variety of sizes, so you can be sure that there is the perfect size for after your tummy tuck post-op. With this best-selling faja, you have the opportunity to not only heal your tummy tuck incisions into a small teeny stomach, but you also have the opportunity to shape your waist, so that your results will be even better. 

Shapewear / Fajas for Week 2 of Recovery

At week 2 after your tummy tuck surgery, you would have passed those crucial first days, and have moved into the semi-crucial aftercare stage. At this point, patients still experiencing swelling, but the bruising and other symptoms begin to fade. You will also have the option of returning to your regular diet, but you will need to continue to limit your sodium intake for the best results. 

Patients need to continue wearing their shapewear / faja at this point and will have the option of getting a less restrictive faja or continuing to wear the one with high compression. Either will continue to maintain the results, but getting another is completely up to you. 

For those who opt for a looser, more comfortable but highly effective faja that still has some compression, you can try the Luxx Curves Waist Training Fitness Wrap, which is ideal for this task. Not only will it continue to craft that waist and keep your tummy tuck incisions safe from harmful bacteria, but it will also provide essential support to your back and abdominal muscles. 

This may help you to heal at a more optimal pace, and improve those feelings of pain and discomfort. 

Shapewear / Fajas for Weeks 3 & 4 of Recovery 

Lastly on your journey are weeks 3 and 4 of your tummy tuck recovery, at which point those feelings of tightness and discomfort should have completely dissipated. In this stage, patients are expected to go (back) on a regular balanced diet and to drink lots of water to keep their bodies healthy and infection-free. You may also start a full body exercise routine to maintain your results. 

Patients are still expected to wear their fajas / shapewear at this stage and may choose a convenient, easy-to-wear option that is great for every day. This can range from medium to ultra-high compression, depending on which would be most comfortable for the patient.

Both the Luxx Curves Perfect Curves waist trainer and the Waist Training fitness wrap would be ideal for this stage, especially if the patient has decided to exercise.  

Risks of not using Shapewear after a Tummy Tuck

We now know that shapewear, especially the right type of shapewear that is easy to wear and highly convenient, is crucial to effective recovery from a tummy tuck. These medical-grade fajas have been made specifically for this purpose, as per the doctor’s recommendations and design specifications. 

Still, even though it is widely known that these are crucial, many do not understand the risks associated with not using your shapewear after the tummy tuck procedure. To help you effectively understand the risks that can arise, we’ve created a detailed list of what can happen below.

To protect your incisions from infection

We’ve discussed at length above how fajas help to protect your incisions from becoming infected, but what do those infections look like? An incision that has become infected will require it to be reopened to drain pus or infected fluid.

In short, it will not only increase your recovery time, but it will also create a bigger, more noticeable and disgusting scar. Outside of the aesthetics of it, you will experience more swelling and redness and may develop a fever on top of your already fragile condition.

Fajas help to reduce the post-op pain

Another important part that fajas play is to reduce the intensity of pain that a patient feels after their surgery. It does this by providing that compression that helps the skin to re-attach to the muscle quicker, reducing inflammation, and fibrosis and promoting the steady healing of the skin.

Furthermore, when you laugh or speak loudly, or cough and sneeze, the high compression of the faja is also essential in helping your body to remain in place while maintaining great posture and reducing any incidence of wounds reopening.

To improve your results from surgery

Tummy tucks are invasive procedures that provide great results, but to ensure that you get the results you desire, then you need to wear your faja / shapewear. While your body has already been sculpted by the plastic surgeon, it is crucial that you wear a faja to maintain those results, and ensure that your body naturally heals in that desired shape. 

Faja garments hold everything in place, to help preserve the flat tummy and smooth silhouette created by the procedure. And they generally do so while preventing other conditions to pop up, such as keloid scars, fibrosis or wrinkling and bumps or pimples. 

Fajas help with improving blood circulation

One of the most crucial reasons to wear a faja / shapewear bodysuit after your tummy tuck is to improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots which can develop anywhere and become fatal.  Colombian Fajas help your body to heal by reducing inflammation and preventing the possibility of hemorrhaging, which in turn prevents blood clots from developing and automatic fluid retention.

Blood clots are one of the leading causes of death after surgeries, so you must wear your faja / shapewear to reduce the possibility of this happening. 

Final Thoughts; Best Faja for Tummy Tuck

We hope this article has helped inform you of the reason that you should prioritize wearing a strapless Colombian faja garment / shapewear bodysuit after your tummy tuck surgery, and the fatal risks of not doing so.  One thing that we also need to mention, however, is that these risks are still very present if you do not choose the right faja to use after this procedure. 

Choosing the wrong faja, whether you buy the wrong size or choose one that doesn’t have the best material, can also cause you to be at risk. Luckily for you, we have already found 3 of the best options on the market, for you to have your pick.

It is made with three layers of high-quality, thick and durable material, that has high compression level for those who need that support. With its new 2022 design, the Perfect curves Waist trainer has even included Flexi-steel bones in the front to keep that tummy in place, which means nothing is touching that incision!

This best-seller has topped our list as the best faja for those who are planning to have a tummy tuck cosmetic surgery, and it is not only easy to wear and use, but is also ideal for use even after you have completed your tummy tuck recovery and healing journey.  

If you or someone you know has had or is planning to have a tummy tuck procedure done, we hope this article has helped to provide some valuable insight into the necessities of a good, high-quality faja for this procedure. Until next time, happy reading.