The details of the postop management are really going to depend on the details of what was done in surgery, and it is possible that you had an operation which would not require compression.
A traditional tummy tuck would involve elevation of the skin and tightening of the muscle layer, and most surgeons would have you wear compression for some time in order to prevent fluid accumulation.
Talk to your surgeon about why this is or is not necessary.
He or she is the only one who really understands what you had done and why the postop management is what they are recommending to you. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)
Garments post tummy tuck
I recommend ALL patients to wear Spanx as well as a surgical garment for 6 weeks post sugery. The compression helps reduce swelling and shapes your figure. All surgeons are different, but 90% of the time a compression garment is necessary. (Jaime Perez, MD)
I encourage my patients to wear a garment for at least 6 weeks after surgery to help reduce swelling. You can take it off while bathing. Of course it’s best to ask your surgeon, though, because not everyone shares the same opinion on the necessity of wearing a garment after surgery. (Michael Constantin Gartner, DO, Paramus Plastic Surgeon)
I actually do not use girdles immediately after tummy tuck. In the patients that I think compression will help, I wait until 1 month when the wounds are well healed. (Gary Lawton, MD, FACS, San Antonio Plastic Surgeon)
I always require wearing either a compression garment or girdle after tummy tuck from the day after of surgery to about 6 weeks after. This helps limit the swelling and also helps with shaping your body. (Ahmad H. Ahmadi, MD, Sugar Land Plastic Surgeon)
Abdominal binder after tummy tuck
Every doctor is different. I prefer to use an abdominal binder but prefer not to use a strong compression garment like I do for liposuction. I think the abdominal binder helps keep the tissues adherent to the underlying tissues. But, some doctors feel this doesn’t do anything and therefore don’t use them. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)