Designing for a Gap That Should Not Exist: The Innovation Behind ActiveMX
Nearly two years ago, we found ourselves circling a surprisingly simple question: why is there no well-designed support garment for people dealing with excess skin and tissue after significant weight loss?
The need is not new or unclear. Bariatric surgeons, obesity physicians, occupational therapists, and nurses see it every day. Patients struggle with pulling, friction, instability, and discomfort — issues that can turn basic movement into a challenge. Yet the options available have been underwhelming at best: compression products designed for other purposes, makeshift solutions, or nothing at all.
ActiveMX was created to address that gap.
Starting with Function, Not Aesthetics
From the start, the focus was on what the garment needed to do — not how it looked.
We worked closely with a community of product testers — individuals living with the specific challenges ActiveMX was designed to address — who shared their honest, detailed experience at every stage. Their feedback guided decisions at every step, including details that might seem small but make a real difference in use: where panels sit, how seams feel, how the garment moves with the body, and how it performs over long days and changing body shapes.
The result is a mid-thigh bodysuit that provides targeted support to the abdomen, including the panniculus, while still being discreet enough to wear under everyday clothing. It is not a modified compression product — it was built specifically for this purpose.
Materials Built for Extended Daily Wear
Designing a support garment for this use case involves trade-offs that typical athletic or compression wear does not address.
ActiveMX uses a high-stretch, high-recovery nylon-spandex fabric that supports without feeling restrictive — an important balance for something meant to be worn throughout the day. The material is soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking, with properties that help limit bacterial growth and reduce irritation on sensitive skin.
These choices are not incidental. Skin integrity is a real concern for this population. A garment that traps moisture, creates friction, or applies pressure in the wrong places can cause more harm than good. Every material and construction decision reflects that reality.
Sizing for Real Bodies
Sizing proved to be one of the more complex challenges.
Standard sizing systems do not reflect the body proportions of people after significant weight loss. ActiveMX includes fourteen sizes to accommodate a wide range of shapes — not as a marketing feature, but because proper fit is essential. Without it, the garment simply cannot provide effective support.
Getting People Moving — and Keeping Them Moving
Conversations about excess skin often focus on appearance or surgical timelines, but there is another piece that matters just as much: movement.
There is growing attention on muscle loss following significant weight loss, whether through bariatric surgery, GLP-1 treatments, or other approaches. Maintaining and rebuilding muscle depends on consistent physical activity — and that requires being able to move comfortably.
For many, excess skin becomes a barrier. Friction, discomfort, and instability during movement are not minor issues — they are enough to keep people from exercising at all. And without consistent movement, recovery and long-term health become harder to maintain.
That is where ActiveMX comes in. It is not a replacement for clinical care or structured rehabilitation, but it can make everyday movement — whether it is a walk, a workout, or a physiotherapy session — more manageable. Removing that barrier can make a meaningful difference over time.
One product tester put it simply:
“The garment has been outstanding and life-changing. I wear it about 8 hours a week, mainly for workouts and physiotherapy, and I’ve noticed huge improvements. The material is incredibly durable. I think it’s amazing.”
A Complement to Care
ActiveMX is a support garment designed to help manage the physical effects of excess skin and tissue. It supports comfort and movement during daily activities, exercise, and rehabilitation. It is not a medical device, and it does not treat or cure any condition. It does not replace clinical care, surgical evaluation, or advice from a qualified healthcare provider.
What it does offer is a practical solution to a gap that many patients face — often for years. Whether someone is waiting for surgery, managing conservatively, or simply trying to stay active, having the right support can make a real difference in daily life.
For clinicians, that gap has real consequences. ActiveMX was designed to help close it.
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Learn more about ActiveMX — including clinical design features and intended use — at our Health Professional Resources page.
ActiveMX is available now for men across Canada and the United States at bariatrictechnologies.com
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Dr. Mary Forhan, PhD is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bariatric Technologies. She is an Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of clinical experience in occupational therapy and obesity care, and served as Scientific Director of Obesity Canada.