LIPO, BBL & TUMMY TUCK SHOPPING LIST
What to Buy Before Your Lipo, BBL, or Tummy Tuck
Curated by Christina Crapotta
Certified Massage Therapist since 2005 · CAMTC #39170
Post-Op Recovery · Scar Tissue · Trauma-Informed Care
After 20 years of helping women recover from plastic surgery, I’ve seen what works, what ends up in the trash, and what people wish they’d bought before surgery. This is my list: the fajas, foams, supplies, and little comforts I actually recommend, with honest notes on each one. Shop it before surgery so you’re not sending someone to the store while you’re swollen and sore.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This list covers what to buy. For how to use it all, from sizing your faja to week-by-week recovery, my book
Snatched and Swollen walks you through everything.
FAJAS
Fajas (Compression Garments)
Plenty of good fajas are made in Colombia, and plenty of good ones aren’t anymore. What matters is construction: firm, even compression, solid support across the lower belly, and seams that won’t dig in. Go one size up for your Stage 1 to leave room for swelling, foam, and boards.
Faja “stages” aren’t an official standard; they’re mostly marketing labels. I judge a faja by how its structure moves with you.
Tip: Plan on two fajas, one to wear and one to wash. If your surgeon sends you home in one, you only need to buy the second.​​
Stage 1 Fajas
​​All-Around / Upper Back Lipo: Snatched Body A great faja all around. It has excellent compression across the upper back, which makes it my pick if your lipo includes the upper back. The knee-length leg supports your thighs, and the open bust and front hooks make it easier to get on and off in those first sore days.
→ https://amzn.to/4e08RxJ
Leaner Builds / Comfort: CYSM An oldie but a goodie. Everyone used these for years before Sonryse, Yianna, and Snatched Body got popular. It's built like the Marena but is much more comfortable, with adjustable shoulder straps, great upper-back construction, and good-quality material. It goes to the knee, so it supports the thighs too. → https://amzn.to/4hQWDd6
Thigh Lipo / The One Many Surgeons Use: Marena Recovery A medical-grade option. Marena garments are registered as Class I medical devices and made with their TriFlex compression fabric. The long thigh makes them a good fit when your lipo includes the thighs, and they work best on shorter torsos without a BBL. They're not my first pick: they don't compress well under the sternum and have no bust support. If your surgeon sends you home in one, a second Marena makes washing day easy.
→ https://amzn.to/47pawcf
Between Stages: Yianna
Yianna doesn't really distinguish its fajas into Stage 1 and Stage 2. The weave sits somewhere in between, which can be a pro or a con depending on where you are in recovery.
Zipper Front, Fewer Hooks Easier to get on and off, with better lower-belly support. If your lower belly is feeling extra fluffy and hard after lipo, this is the one to consider, for a short stretch or longer if it works for you. If you're feeling good and further along, it can also work as your Stage 1.
→ https://amzn.to/3WuthIX
Multiple Rows of Hooks and Eyes You can adjust it tighter as your swelling goes down, and the built-in bust support fits all cup sizes. If you're not ready for a traditional Stage 2 with a tighter weave, it makes a great transition garment.
→ https://amzn.to/4yNvj5n
Stage 2
Shorter, Wider Bodies: Sonryse Sonryse has done a better job than most brands of designing for a range of body types over the years, with more size options. It's my pick for shorter, wider frames. One heads-up: the shoulder straps aren't adjustable, so if they don't sit right you'll need to have it altered.
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My pick, with built-in breast support: No bra needed, which is better for your lymph flow. It fits most bodies well and covers more of the upper back, smoothing out more terrain.
→ https://amzn.to/4hPjKon -
Open-bust version: Very comfortable if it fits.
→ https://amzn.to/3TKpUgi -
Client Favorite: Snatched Body Stage 2 (with breast support) A lot of my clients have loved this one. It has built-in bra support, it's BBL-safe, and it has a crotch zipper for bathroom trips. It's an easy step down if you started in the Snatched Body Stage 1.
→ https://amzn.to/4yngW6E
Face and Neck
Chin & Neck Compression (Chin Lipo): AuraFix I prefer this one because it gives more coverage over the head and down the front of the neck. Swelling likes to collect in the front of the neck when there's no compression there, or when the garment doesn't fit right. Watch for this: If swelling starts showing up in the crease of your throat, stop wearing it around the clock. Take breaks, and gently massage the area between compression sessions.
→ https://amzn.to/4dzpWhK
Seamless Camisoles (wear them inside-out)
A thin cami goes under your faja to protect your skin from rubbing and pinching. Wear it inside-out so any seams face away from your skin and don't press marks into your swelling.
My Pick: Rosyline 4-Pack Thousands of reviews and adjustable straps, with enough to rotate through laundry days.
→ https://amzn.to/47o3Wms
Non-Toxic Pick: CUFT Made in the USA from 100% TENCEL, a plant-based fiber made from wood. It's plastic-free, soft on sensitive healing skin, and pulls moisture away from your skin. Heads-up: it has no stretch, so it can bunch up under your faja. If a non-toxic fabric matters most to you, it's worth it.
→ https://amzn.to/3Uq9Al3
FOAMS & BOARDS
Keep It Smooth and Flat
Fabric bends every time you sit, slouch, or curl up to sleep, and that’s how creases and ridges form. Foam and boards keep the pressure smooth and even while you heal.
Lipo Foam Sheets: Buy 2 Packs.
Foam goes between your skin and your faja to spread out the pressure and help prevent ridges, lines, and fibrosis. One 3-sheet pack is never enough to wrap you all the way around, so get two. Skip the thin, airy ones, because they flatten in a day.
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Budget: Moolida. Thousands of reviews and a solid starter.
→ https://amzn.to/4dIsYjM -
Middle Ground: Elite Compression. Made in Colombia, where fajas and post-op care are an art form. That's the first thing I look for.
→ https://amzn.to/4jYLCaN -
Best Investment: Marena Recovery. Medical-grade, breathable, and hypoallergenic, with rounded corners that stay put under your garment. The black hides stains, and it holds its shape the longest.
→ https://amzn.to/4i1u7nG
Textured Dot Foam: Lipo, Weeks 2-3
This comes from lymphedema care, and it's newer to the post-op world. The textured surface creates small pressure differences that help soften swelling and early fibrosis where they build up, across the belly, back, and flanks. Switch to these around week 2 or 3 after lipo, not in the first week. They're for lipo only.
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Ab/back board: → https://amzn.to/4hK1IDU
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Side/flank pads: → https://amzn.to/4s9TAQD
Ab Board
Worn over your foam and under your faja, an ab board keeps compression smooth and even across your belly so you heal flat, without ridges or dents. I like the butterfly shape because it curves toward your sides instead of stopping at the front.
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My pick: M&D Butterfly Ab Board.
→ https://amzn.to/4yU7Dwe -
Optional, lipo only: Once you move into your Stage 2 garment, around weeks 2–3, some clients like a flexible ab board with a firm center panel down the middle.
→ https://amzn.to/4dYjCk7
Back Board
A back board sits over your foam and under your faja to keep compression even across your back and help prevent dents and ridges.
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Most popular: M&D Full Back Board.
→ https://amzn.to/4jXcEzh -
My honest take: I'm not a fan of back boards because they tend to slide around. I prefer a puppy pad folded to size and laid flat across the back. It's cheap and soft, and it stays put. (Puppy pads are in the Drainage section below.)
Lumbar/Sacrum Pad
Jnater Lumbar/Sacrum Pad This small pad sits over your lower back and tailbone, where swelling likes to settle. I picked it over the more popular M&D version because far fewer people send it back. Bonus: it also works for compression over the pubic area, which swells a lot after lower-belly lipo. It may feel a little thick and chunky. My honest take: Like back boards, these can slide around. A puppy pad folded to size works here too.
→ https://amzn.to/4dDUU8i
DRAINAGE, DRAINS, & FIRST AID
Independence and Home Care Begins
Every surgeon has their own wound care protocol: dry or moist healing, which ointments, when to shower, and how to care for stitches, staples, or wound tape. Always follow your surgeon’s instructions for your incisions. The items below are about comfort, protection, and keeping you (and your furniture) clean while you heal.
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Ask before surgery: Most people don’t find out what kind of incisions or drains they’ll have until after surgery, when the instructions are handed over. At your pre-op appointment, ask your surgeon whether you’ll have open drainage sites, bulb drains, stitches, or staples, so you can shop for the right supplies ahead of time. If you’re not sure, stock up for drainage anyway. You’ll be glad you did.
Open Drainage Sites
Some surgeons leave small incisions open to drain instead of placing drains. You can leak for weeks, and it gets on everything. That fluid is better out than in, so plan for it.
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Chux Pads (also sold as puppy pads): Stackman 100-Pack, 30" x 36"
Big enough to cover your bed, couch, or car seat, and a 100-pack means you won’t run out mid-leak. These are also the ones to fold up for your back and lumbar area.
→ https://amzn.to/4zCIaax
Reusable Bed Pad: Hygge Sheets Holds up to 8 cups of liquid, tucks in so it stays put, and works on the couch too. A great investment, and better than the fitted-sheet style.
→ https://amzn.to/4yNRjNn
Depend Fresh Protection Wear them over your faja in case you don’t hobble to the bathroom fast enough. Check your sizing: they need to fit over your faja, foam, and boards, so you may need a size up.
→ https://amzn.to/4BfPM4w
Maxi Pads: MaryRuth’s Organic Cotton Pads Unscented and chlorine-free. Wear them inside-out and taped over leaking spots, so the soft cotton faces your skin and the sticky side doesn’t.
Warning: Never cut a maxi pad. You’ll regret it.
Hot tip: Pads do double duty. Fold or roll one with the sticky side tucked in on itself, and you have a stand-in for a Komprex pad, the spot-compression accessory lymphedema therapists use that most post-op patients never hear about. Tuck it under your faja over a stubborn swollen or firm spot for extra focused pressure.
For trouble spots: An opened-up tampon can give you micro compression on small trouble areas.
→ https://amzn.to/4jpi4mH
Bulb Drains (JP Drains)
If you go home with bulb drains, you’ll need somewhere to put them besides pinning them to your clothes.
Drain Holder: Heal n Hope Pouch Belt + Shower Lanyard Made for mastectomy and tummy tuck patients. The pouch belt holds your bulbs during the day, and the lanyard goes around your neck in the shower.
→ https://amzn.to/4z2WBEX
House Dress with Pockets: COSUNIONY I know it isn’t the most chic, but we all love a good muumuu with pockets to tuck our drain bulbs into. It buttons down the front, so there’s no pulling anything over your head. You could wear a robe instead, but with a robe you can forget why you’re wearing it, slip it off, and yank your drains. With a lanyard or a muumuu, you feel the drains and you’re less likely to forget.
→ https://amzn.to/4jYLCaN
Going out? A muumuu, a turban, and big sunglasses hide everything, and you’ll look fabulous.
FAJA CARE & CUSTOMIZATION
Making it Fit, Making it Last
A faja only works if it fits right and holds its compression. The right extender can save you from buying a second faja, and the right care keeps the one you have doing its job for weeks of recovery.
Faja Extenders (Front Closure), Stage 2 Fajas Only
If your waist runs a little bigger compared to your hips and booty, your Stage 2 faja may not close comfortably. Don't size down into a tighter faja to make it work. Squeezing too tight can create rolls and lumps that harden with swelling, and those are hard to undo later. Instead, use an extender on the faja you already have so it fits your waist better, with no second faja to buy. Not every extender will match the length of your faja exactly, but you can still make it work.
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With a Little Stretch: DoHope Elastic Extender Comes in 12-hook and 15-hook versions, with an elastic panel for extra give.
→ https://amzn.to/3U1GEja
Standard: DoHope Corset Extenders Comes in a pack with several lengths and colors, so you can match your faja.
→ https://amzn.to/4ipoVve
Faja Care
Wash your faja every day or two, by hand if you can. Always use cool water, because hot water sets blood stains. Rinse well, and hang to dry, never the dryer, because heat breaks down the compression. If you have to cheat and use the dryer, tumble low if possible. Make this work for you.
Budget-Friendly Classic: Zote If you grew up with it, you already know. Rub the bar right onto stains and scrub.
→ https://amzn.to/4jXqkdF
Enzyme Detergent: ACTIVE Wear Made for synthetic, stretchy fabrics like your faja. The enzymes break down sweat, body oils, and odor without breaking down the compression. You can also use it as a soak for tougher stains. It's made in the USA by a family-run company I love. → https://amzn.to/4zEZhbV
Mesh Laundry Bags: OKAKA 100% undyed cotton in four sizes, big enough for a full faja. They protect the hooks and keep your faja from snagging other clothes in the machine.
→ https://amzn.to/4i1AAiB
Organic Option: MADIKA Organic, undyed cotton mesh, set of 4.
→ https://amzn.to/4B4LL2B
Recovering Away from Home: Scrubba Wash Bag If you're recovering in a hotel with a caregiver or nurse instead of at home or in a recovery house, this lets you wash your faja without making a mess of the sink. It's a portable wash bag with a built-in washboard, so you just add water and soap, seal it, and rub.
→ https://amzn.to/4hQFArz
PAIN, SWELLING, AND SCARS
Soothe, Soften, and Heal
Some soreness, swelling, and bruising are a normal part of healing, and so is a scar that takes time to settle. These are the gentle, simple things I recommend to help your body along. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for pain medication and incision care.
Arnica Cream: Boiron Arnicare A natural, fragrance-free cream that helps calm bruising, swelling, and soreness. Apply it gently to bruised areas around your incisions, never on open skin or fresh incision lines. → https://amzn.to/4k12bmz
Silicone Scar Tape: PSECICI Medical-grade silicone on a roll you cut to fit your scar, in three skin tones. It helps flatten and soften scars over time. Use it only once your incisions are fully closed and your surgeon says it's okay.
→ https://amzn.to/4hOxfEL
Swelling that won't budge? Your faja, foam, and boards (up top) do most of the work. For stubborn spots, see the folded maxi pad hack in the Drainage section.
Have swelling that feels hard, or a scar that feels tight, stuck, or puckered? Products can only do so much. That's hands-on work.
BATHROOM & BEDTIME
Navigating Hygiene and Rest
A few simple tools make everyday things easier while you heal: going to the bathroom, showering, sitting, and sleeping comfortably. Set them up before surgery, so everything you need is ready and waiting when you get home.
Bathroom
Bidet Attachment: SAMODRA Ultra-Slim Clips onto your existing toilet, with front and rear wash and adjustable pressure. Set it up before surgery, and you may not need a wiping wand at all.
→ https://amzn.to/4edpea2
Wiping Wand When you can't twist or reach after a BBL, tummy tuck, or lipo, this does the reaching for you.
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At home: Juvo Toilet Aid. An 18" wand with a hygienic cover. Longer reach, thousands of reviews, and FSA/HSA eligible.
→ https://amzn.to/4dGSmX0 -
For travel: Wefaner Foldable. Folds down to about 8 inches with a discreet storage bag.
→ https://amzn.to/4yRYfJj
Peeing Without Sitting Skip the narrow funnels and go wide. A red Solo cup works, or the Frida No-Mess Pee Cup.
→ https://amzn.to/3WuE1qJ
TravelJane is for emergencies: it turns urine into a gel for easy disposal. I keep them in my car.
→ https://amzn.to/4k0bgfp
Peri Bottle (optional): easy@Home Portable Bidet A travel peri bottle for a gentle rinse when wiping is hard. It's leakproof, so it can ride in your bag or your cart.
→ https://amzn.to/4s8w0DC
Stool Softener: Colace Pain meds and lying around can back you up, and straining after a tummy tuck or BBL is the last thing you want. Check with your surgeon before adding any medication.
→ https://amzn.to/4BbeO4G
Shower Chair: HOMLAND Adjustable Shower Stool For when standing through a whole shower is too much. Height adjusts from 14 to 19 inches, holds up to 400 lbs, and it's FSA/HSA eligible. BBL patients: check with your surgeon about when you can sit.
→ https://amzn.to/4ztbn7C
Handheld Showerhead: SR SUN RISE A showerhead is usually a very personal commitment, but this lower-cost one does the job for post-op recovery if you need it. A handheld lets you rinse without twisting, and it's especially helpful if someone still needs to help you bathe. With 9 spray modes, you can switch to a gentle setting near tender areas.
→ https://amzn.to/4ySMMt7
Exfoliating Back Scrubber: SubSahara African Net Sponge After days of not showering much, you'll want to scratch everywhere. Part of that is your nerves waking back up, and part is your skin needing a good refresh. This net is even better than a shower brush: hold one end in each hand and stretch it across your back. Use it once you can comfortably raise your arms, and keep it away from incisions until they're fully closed.
→ https://amzn.to/4yJRxod
Body soap: Ask your surgeon which body wash to use. Many have specific instructions, especially in the first few weeks.
Bedtime and Rest
You don't need fancy pillows. Smaller, denser pillows are great for propping up sore joints, and a bolster under your knees helps after a tummy tuck.
Breastfeeding Pillow: Boppy A must for sitting at home and in the car after a BBL. Sit on it with the opening facing behind you, so your thighs are supported and your new booty stays off the seat. A "BBL pillow" is basically a hard brick: it's only ideal when you're out in public and have to sit.
→ https://amzn.to/4jvvqOl
Wedge Pillow: Kolbs Wedge Reading Pillow I like this one for the armrests, which take the strain off the rest of your body. It converts for both sitting and sleeping, and it has side pockets and a removable, adjustable neck support.
→ https://amzn.to/4i4o7e8
YOUR RECOVERY CART
Organization Hack
I've always believed that when you have a baby or you're sick, you should have a special basket or a special cart. I have both in my home. I even made a little janitorial cart for my house, and it comes in handy. Get a rolling cart and keep everything for your recovery in one place, within reach. It's also a reminder that this stuff isn't part of your regular life. When you're healed, the cart gets put away. Have fun with this project!
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The Cart: Amazon Basics 3-Tier Rolling Utility Cart Lockable wheels, in several colors. → https://amzn.to/3VQAH9f
Mini Trash Can: Aimkeoulee Hanging Trash Can Hangs right off the side of your cart, so used pads and wrappers have somewhere to go without you getting up. Add Command hooks wherever you want them, and hang whatever is hangable.
→ https://amzn.to/4zHIBR3
How I set up my own "get well" cart:
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Top tier: fake flowers, a tissue box, a Bluetooth speaker connected to my phone, and a tray with my hair stuff, face stuff, lozenges, and snacks
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Middle tier: first aid supplies and pads
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Bottom tier: clothes: socks, camisoles, my spare faja, and extra PJs
Your Travel Kit Doubles as Your Get-Well Kit
It's super common now for travel influencers to use a pop-open makeup bag as an in-flight kit. I'm not one to avoid the trends; I happily take tips from girls half my age! Use that same method to keep all your personal, non-surgical items right by your side and organized: floss sticks, single-use toothbrushes, face masks, and whatever else you love. I just pull my travel kit and leave it in my get-well cart.
Pop-Open Travel Kit: BAGSMART Puffy Travel Makeup Bag It opens flat so you can see everything at once. Use it for all your daily personal items by your bedside, for travel, or both. My ADHD superpowers make me a little obsessive about texture, function, and everything matching. I can't help myself, so have fun with this!
→ https://amzn.to/3W9P0Ww
Feel Human Again
The dry shampoo and leave-in conditioner are a personal must for me. When I'm emotional and sad from pain or sickness, taking care of my hair, my skin, and my face helps TREMENDOUSLY. These aren't the best fit for everyone or every hair type; they're just my personal picks. Use whatever you prefer.
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No-rinse bath wipes: Scrubzz. For before you're cleared to shower: add water, lather, and towel dry, with no rinsing. Keep them away from incisions and drain sites. → https://amzn.to/4Bcbgz9
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Dry shampoo: MONDAY Haircare. It soaks up oil so your hair feels fresh between real washes, for when you can't stand in the shower or lift your arms.
→ https://amzn.to/4zzfvTH -
Leave-in conditioner: OUAI. A spray-in detangler for every hair type, so you can comb out bed hair without a shower.
→ https://amzn.to/47nOwi6 -
Silk bonnet: YANIBEST. A MUST. You'll spend a lot of time lying in bed, and a bonnet keeps your hair from tangling and frizzing against the pillow. A silk pillowcase or silk scrunchies do the same job if bonnets aren't your thing.
→ https://amzn.to/4s6A0Vc -
Eye stick: THESAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick. I'm obsessed with this. It's a cool, hydrating swipe under your eyes for a quick pick-me-up after a rough night, with no mess and no mirror needed.
→ https://amzn.to/4ykJMoh -
Eye patches and face masks: Another personal must-have. Everyone's skin has different needs, so pick the ones that work for yours.
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Also in my cart: rose toner spray (I spray it everywhere: face, neck, and arms, so I feel human), face and eye cream, body spray, claw clips, and a brush.
Stay Charged, Stay Connected
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Charging cable: Amasuki 3-in-1, 4 ft. Charges your phone and Apple Watch from one cable, so one plug covers everything on your cart.
→ https://amzn.to/3UvUoTt -
Power bank: Anker MagGo 10,000mAh. My travel power bank. It's handy in a recovery house, on a flight, or at home when the outlet is across the room. It snaps magnetically onto the back of your phone, and the built-in stand props it up for watching shows in bed. Heads-up: the magnetic charging is made for iPhones.
→ https://amzn.to/47ZcXCy -
Selfie stick: XO 5-in-1. It's not just for travel. It turns into a mini tripod and phone stand, so you can FaceTime loved ones without holding up your phone, prop it on your cart to watch shows, or take progress photos hands-free. It comes with a remote.
→ https://amzn.to/4ezia7K -
Don't forget your TV remote.
Stay on Track
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Supplement & Pill Organizer: AMOOS 7-Slot I'm obsessed with this one. I even labeled each section with my label maker. Seven separate slots with an anti-mix design keep each supplement or medication in its own spot, so everything stays straight when post-op brain fog hits.
→ https://amzn.to/4jr2TcG -
Supplements: Thorne I recommend Thorne for quality you can trust. Shop my recovery-friendly picks in my Thorne store. Always check with your surgeon before taking anything around surgery, since some supplements need to be stopped beforehand.
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Also keep nearby: your medications, a notebook and pen to log your doses (and your drain output, if you have drains), a thermometer, a tumbler of water and electrolytes, prepackaged snacks for between meals, mints, ginger chews, dry mouth lozenges, papaya supplements (check with your surgeon first), lip balm, and hand sanitizer.
For Your Heart
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Coloring books, your Bible, a Kindle loaded with Snatched and Swollen for the long nights for the long nights, a stuffed animal, a journal, an eye mask, a soft blanket, peppermint oil, tissues for the post-op blues, and even fake flowers to keep you motivated. Keep a neck pillow or a rolled towel nearby in case your regular pillows aren't cutting it, and extra socks for someone else to put on you.
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Post-op blues are real. Medications, hormones, and long days with nothing to do but think can bring on sadness or anxiety. Be gentle with yourself. If it feels heavy or lasts more than a couple of weeks, tell your doctor. You don't have to push through it alone.
THE BOOK
Your Guide to Healing Beautifully After Lipo, BBL, and Tummy Tuck, Abroad or at Home
The honest, funny, deeply practical guide I wish every woman had before her recovery, whether she's healing at home or flying home from surgery abroad. Everything I've learned in 20 years of helping women recover from lipo, BBL, and tummy tucks, in one place.
DISCLAIMER
I'm a certified massage therapist (CAMTC #39170), not a doctor. This list is based on my experience with clients and isn't medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's instructions, especially for wound care, medications, supplements, and when you're cleared to sit, shower, or exercise. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices and availability change, so check each listing before you buy.