Fitter's Product Notes
Lipoelastic product description …designed for both men and women. Men use it after a plastic surgery called gynecomastia. Women use KPG after gynaecological surgery for compression in the lower abdomen …Breathable, stretchy, and flexible material…’
If thinking about ONLINE selection, the following Fitting Room insights may be useful.
Men and women who haven’t worn a binder before often say that dropping into the STUDIO for a fitting reduced their anxiety about making the right choice and knowing how to wear the binder after surgery.
A common question is ‘can I wear the less expensive binder?’ It depends on your surgery. In hospital after surgery, if the less expensive binder with a no split fastener is used for surgeries other than Liposuction, it may not allow easy access for wound care, can be difficult to fit around drain lines and may not fit evenly around the body.
Feedback also suggests a binder with a no split fastener can be more awkward to put on (the wider velcro fastener is harder to manage) and not as comfortable to wear as a binder with a split panel fastener.
Understanding binder shape is a good way to select a binder with the right fit.
To make it easier to compare binder shape as you browse (regardless of brand), we show a shape description at the top of each binder product page.
For more information about this binder, see Shape, Parts and Performance below.
After browsing ONLINE, people often call the STUDIO to confirm their selection and make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
When you’ve purchased your binder, check if you can claim for a post-surgery compression binder on Private Health Insurance.
When swelling reduces and mobility improves, a post-surgery compression vest or girdle may be a more comfortable and discreet second garment option to wear under clothing.
When your incisions have fully closed, NewGel is an option for reducing and fading your scars.
Abdominal Binder Shape
When men and women drop into the STUDIO to ask about post-surgery abdominal binders, we’ve found the following shape elements are a useful guide.
Split or No Split Panel Fastener Binders typically have a split or no split (combined) panel fastener. The Lipoelastic KPG Abdominal & Chest Binder has a two split panel fastener that can be better for Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery) and Female Liposuction (flank only to avoid fastener), Caesarean Section (C-Section) and Hysterectomy because each panel can be adjusted to fit to the body shape. An abdominal binder with a no split fastener can be better for liposuction to the stomach because it fits more evenly around a more regular abdomen shape and there is less risk of the gaps between the fastener panels leaving marks on the skin.
Waist (Length) The Lipoelastic KPG Abdominal & Chest Binder has three sizes (lengths) for a 72-120cm chest or waist. Our fitting experience suggests binder length is an important selection consideration. If a binder is too long, the fastener tends to overlap too far, making the binder more difficult to put on and uncomfortable to wear.
Width (Number of Panels) The Lipoelastic KPG Abdominal & Chest Binder is a 15cm wide two panel binder. The width of the binder determines the extent of support and compression. To better manage post-surgery swelling, the binder should extend beyond the area of surgery.
Parts of an Abdominal Binder
When fitting post-surgery compression binders, we have also found the following parts of a binder play an important role in after surgery support and comfort.
Hook & Loop (velcro) Fastener This binder has a robust hook and loop (velcro) fastener. The length of a binder is adjusted by overlapping the fastener. If the fastener is not robust it can pull apart when being worn. If the binder is too long, the fastener can overlap too much and be uncomfortable to wear. If the overlap is too short the fastener may pull apart.
Side Stays This binder does not have rigid plastic stays. Side stays are rigid plastic strips that are sewn into the sides or back of the binder to reinforce the shape of binder. Feedback suggests stays can make a binder very uncomfortable to wear.
Label This band has material ‘brand’ and ‘product’ labels on the outside to avoid skin irritation. Other bands may have a printed label in the inside.
Why question supplier product performance and certification claims? Because we’ve learnt that marketing statements such as breathable and medical grade compression are not always verified.
Material 4% Cotton, 38% Polyamide, 36% Elastane.
Free of Harmful Chemicals (Latex) OEKO-TEK Product Certificate 02.0.8039.
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Approval ARTG 300168.
Compression Claim: 20-30 mmHg, correctly fitted. Data sighted. Appropriate compression is likely to depend on the adjustment of fastener.
Moisture No claim made.
Anti-Bacterial No claim made.
Wash & Wear Performance Loss No claim made. See our Care Guide for washing information.
Brand & Manufacture
Czech Republic.
Wherever you are in Australia, if you’d like to talk about a product, your size or how it might fit, call the STUDIO (08) 9361 1300.
If you're in WA, drop-in for a Fitting. Our STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood.
If you're flying into Perth, our STUDIO is on the way from the Airport to the City.
Measure & Size Notes
Sizing Suggestions
Do you have one of those ‘don’t fit’ ONLINE purchases in the drawer?
Common mistakes that can result in a binder that doesn’t have a good fit are presuming that all binders are the same size, using a clothing size or using the size of another brand of binder.
Binder width is usually determined by the cover needed for the binder to extend beyond the area of liposuction, beyond an incision or beyond the immediate area of a hernia.
A longer torso may need a wider binder to achieve the appropriate cover. A shorter torso may need a narrower binder to avoid the binder pressing up into the bra band (female) or down into groin when sitting.
Binder length measurement can vary.
The length of a no split panel binder is usually determined by the waist measurement.
The length of a split panel binder is usually determined by the largest girth (widest part of the body) which can vary depending on body shape, the location of a hernia or other conditions.
If in doubt, browse through our Binders & Bands, then PHONE the STUDIO to talk through sizing and make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
Measuring Tips
In the Fitting Room we use a flexible cloth tape and measure to the nearest centimetre.
If you don’t have a cloth tape, use non-stretch fabric or a belt, mark the size and then measure the length with a metal tape or ruler. Avoid string because it presses into the skin and flexible metal tapes because they wrap unevenly.
From experience, we’ve found that having someone else measure is more accurate. Wear underwear, stand still and upright, relax and breathe out, then measure against the skin or over the underwear. If self-measuring, use a mirror to check posture and make sure that the tape is level and wrapped firmly (but not tightly) around the body.
Wherever you are in Australia, if you’d like to talk about a product, your size or how it might fit, call the STUDIO (08) 9361 1300.
If you're in WA, drop-in for a Fitting. Our STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood.
If you're flying into Perth, our STUDIO is on the way from the Airport to the City.
