Post Surgical Compression Garments

Post-surgery, nothing sounds better than sprawling out on the couch, in a cozy knit pyjama set. In some cases, that’s exactly how you can spend your recovery. But if you’re getting liposuction, or any plastic surgery procedure that involves liposuction, the reality is that afterward, you’re going to feel more like a sausage in a casing than anything else. It’ll take months for the swelling to go down and your final results to appear, and in that time, you’ll be living in a compression garment. Here’s everything you need to know about this must-have item.

What is a compression garment?

A compression garment is anything worn on the body in the post-surgical time period that adds additional compression beyond what normal clothing would, to help reduce swelling.

Which surgical procedures are associated with compression garments?

Doctors recommend post-surgical compression garments after any procedure that involves liposuction, such as a tummy tuck, an arm lift, a body lift, or a BBL. Liposuction requires a compression garment for three main reasons: it restricts the amount of oedema buildup and hastens its resolution by mechanical pressure, it decreases the amount of bruising, and it assists the loose skin in retracting or shrinking. Abdominal compression garments can also aid in C-section recovery during the postpartum period.

Do you have to wear a compression garment post-surgery?

If you want to see your body-contouring results more quickly, it’s in your best interests to wear the compression garment. Doctors generally agree that there are no downsides to wearing a properly fitted garment and that it serves only to help the recovery process. Compression helps reduce swelling and bruising and promotes a more contoured look. After an abdominoplasty, compression is key to reduce swelling and prevent seroma formation by forcing the layers of the skin to adhere. It also helps to support the abdominal wall muscles, by offering an extra support.

How tight should the compression garment be?

The compression garment should be snug but not uncomfortable. Sizing can be tricky, since most shape-wear companies have their own sizing systems. The best way to make sure is to get a cloth tape measure and measure all the recommended areas, usually the waist and hips. Based on those two measurements, shape-wear companies give you two columns—and you should order whichever size is larger. So if your hip size is a large, but your waist size is a medium, order the large garment. Your doctor will likely take your measurements at your pre-op appointment, for your chart, and either provide you with a garment or tell you what size to buy.

Do you need someone to help you get in and out of the garment?

For the first couple of days, when it can be hard to put on the garment due to the swelling, it’s helpful to have a friend or family member on hand to assist, but by the one-week mark you should be able to do it on your own. If it still feels too tight to pull up, fasten, or velcro properly, you should switch to a larger size.

How many compression garments do you need?

Most patients use two over the course of the healing process—a stage 1 garment and a stage 2 garment. Usually, you want a slightly larger compression immediately after surgery, to account for some of the post-op swelling. A month later, you need a really firm, tight compression garment. After the first couple of weeks, patients will need to go down one to three sizes, depending on how swollen they are.

How long do you need to wear compression garments post-surgery?

It depends on how much fat was removed, the elasticity of your skin, and how much excess skin there is. You should wear your garment for a minimum of three weeks full-time, then for 12 hours, day or night, for a maximum of six weeks. In the first month post-surgery, you should be taking off the garment only to shower and get lymphatic massages. You should wear the stage 2 compression for 12 hours a day, for two months or longer.

What are the risks of an improperly fitted compression garment?

Burns, contour irregularities, and skin necrosis are all risks of wearing a garment that is too tight. To prevent these issues it is judicious to add a thin layer of foam that wraps around the torso and goes under the compression garment. The foam helps prevent burns and contour irregularities by distributing some of the pressure more evenly. Contour irregularities look like dents or rippling in the skin and usually need revision liposuction to fix the uneven areas caused by improper compression.