BODY CONTOURING ESSENTIALS
A curated list of products I often recommend to help support healing, comfort, and early mobility following body surgery.
Before You Buy
This list reflects items I commonly recommend to help in the recovery and continued contouring of different body contouring procedures based on patient feedback. I tagged items that may be useful in specific procedures to make things clear. Links to these products are included for ease and have been chosen to be budget-friendly as well. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I genuinely believe are useful in recovery, and feedback helps me continue refining recommendations and sharing practical tips.
Liposuction, Abdominal Hi-Def/Etching, 360Lipo, or BodyTite for abdomen, lower back, flanks, waist
ShapeRx body compression garment with adjustable front, strap, and perineal strap closures
Why I recommend it?
You will soon graduate from simple abdominal binder to a garment that will help with the swelling, bruising, and shaping after liposuction or any contouring procedures.
Tips & Tricks
This helps with the following areas: flanks, waist, upper and lower abdomen, and lower back only.
Sizing is tricky and not the same as your normal garments so make sure you measure your waist and hips, then SIZE UP to accommodate lipo foam and the initial swelling after surgery.
Wash on delicates and hang to dry to prevent shrinkage.
Liposuction, Abdominal Hi-Def/Etching, 360Lipo, or BodyTite for abdomen, lower back, flanks, waist, and thighs.
Marena body compression garment with adjustable front and shoulder strap closures
Why I recommend it?
This garment is similar to the one above with the added support and contouring of the thighs if your procedure includes thigh contouring.
Tips & Tricks
This helps with the following areas: flanks, waist, upper and lower abdomen, lower back, buttocks, and upper/mid-thighs.
Sizing is tricky and not the same as your normal garments so make sure you measure according to instructions, then SIZE UP!
Wash on delicates and hang to dry to prevent shrinkage.
Liposuction, Abdominal Hi-Def/Etching, 360Lipo, or BodyTite for abdomen, lower back, flanks, waist, and thighs.
Marena body compression garment with side closure without shoulder straps
Why I recommend it?
This garment is similar to the one above without shoulder straps and does not adjust in the front. This is great to have after the first few weeks for procedures of the abdomen, lower back, buttock lift, and any thigh contouring procedures.
Tips & Tricks
If you do not like the shoulder straps, this is a great option but if you had upper abdminal contouring, be sure the garment extends to the lower breast crease.
Sizing is tricky and not the same as your normal garments so make sure you measure according to instructions, then SIZE UP!
Wash on delicates and hang to dry to prevent shrinkage.
Liposuction, Abdominal Hi-Def/Etching, 360Lipo, or BodyTite for abdomen, lower back, flanks, waist, and thighs.
Lipo foam pads/sheets 8″ x 11″
Why I recommend it?
Great way to keep areas molding correctly without risk of inadvertently creating contour irregularities.
Tips & Tricks
These are reusable until the foam has flattened. They can also be cut to shape.
Place against the skin inside compression garment.
Liposuction, Abdominal Hi-Def/Etching, 360Lipo, or BodyTite for abdomen, back, flanks, waist, and thighs.
Disposable absorbent bed pads, 30 x 36 inches
Why I recommend it?
After any contouring procedure, you will likely have leakage of fluid called tumescent anesthesia which is primarily saline mixed with numbing agent as well as something to decrease bruising/bleeding. This is great to protect your bed linens and mattress!
Tips & Tricks
These come with an adhesive strip to you worry less about the pad moving.
Female urination device for post-surgery or limited mobility
Why I recommend it?
I love this for patients who have had surgery involving or close to the perineal area. It keeps your garment clean, prevents the mess that can occur even if you are able to sit, and helps if sitting is difficult.
Tips & Tricks
If you have a compression garment where there is only an opening/flap opening instead of an open bottom, you need this so you do not have to keep taking off the entire garment to keep it clean.
Keep this item for events like Coachella, camping, or anywhere Porta Potties exist!
Rinse to clean. Comes with travel pouch.
UPPER ARM AND CHEST COMPRESSION GARMENT
Liposuction, Hi-Def, and BodyTite (upper arms, bra roll/upper back, lower axilla/chest)
KSKshape compression garment for contouring procedures of the upper torso
Why I recommend it?
This is a must after any contouring procedures of the upper arms, upper back/bra roll, lower axilla, and sides of chest.
Tips & Tricks
If you have had contouring of the upper back/bra roll, axillary area, or sides of the chest, this garment will be best.
Adjustable front closure helps but if you have breast implants that exceed the measurements necessary for your arms, please get the garment linked below that has a cut out for breasts.
Measure according to instructions for your chest, then SIZE UP! If you have not had contouring of your upper arms, then measure to your chest only (do not worry about arms).
Compression garment for contouring of the upper arms.
Why I recommend it?
This item is great once you are about 3-4 weeks out from contouring surgery or if you have breast implants that prohibit proper compression of your upper arms.
Tips & Tricks
This is best for upper arm contouring alone especially with breast implants that do not size well with the full coverage compression garment. If you have had contouring of the bra roll/upper back, or sides of the chest, you should get the full coverage garment (and read my Tips & Tricks).
Base your size on arms, not chest but patients often choose 1-2 sizes larger than measurements suggest.
Comes in nude color if you need to wear this under light-colored clothes. Machine wash on delicate then lay flat to dry.
Medical grade silicone sheeting/tape to improve the appearance of scars.
Why I recommend it?
The data does not lie! For the best appearance of incisions, apply silicone to clean incisions after 2-3 weeks and keep it on for about 3 months.
Tips & Tricks
These strips can be reused if you take care of them or it can get expensive. Also get the 4-pack to save a little money.
This is not a replacement for other methods of scar treatment but when used in conjunction or even stand alone, it improves the appearance of scars better than other topical agents.
Be sure to clear the use of this with your surgeon if used post-operatively.
Soft cloth surgical tape to affix or secure gauze or dressings to the skin.
Why I recommend it?
For areas that gauze is needed to stay in place, this is a soft cloth type of adhesive so it is gentler and more comfortable on the skin.
Tips & Tricks
This tape is breathable so good for areas that tend to get sweaty or moist.
These come in perforated sheets but are not necessary to tear at each perforation. Tear or cut as needed.
A moisturizing, barrier skin ointment in a spray.
Why I recommend it?
I LOVE that this is contains beautiful, simple ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, and glycerin which helps hydrate and keep moisture in the skin. I love that it is fragrance free. Now I love that it is in a spray form too… and it works upside down!
Tips & Tricks
Do not goop this on. A thin layer will do unless you have areas of skin that are notably dry and cracked, then massage enough to soften these area.
You can avoid or minimize use in the areas that are prone to getting moist or sweaty.
If you do have dry skin on the body, use at night and wear breathable long sleeve and long pant PJs to keep moisture in. Same for hands but wear lightweight cotton gloves to sleep.
ARNICA CREAM FOR BRUISING, PAIN, OR SWELLING
Why I recommend it?
I find this product will serve multiple purposes in fading bruises, use during lymphatic massage, and some relief from pain and swelling.
Tips & Tricks
If you are on hormones including birth control of any kind, refrain from taking arnica in oral form (tablet, pill, etc) and use this topical formula.
This item is HSA and FSA friendly!
Use during gentle massage to help break up bruising which also helps your body clean up these areas.