How Long Do You Recommend Wearing the Compression Garment After Liposuction?

Thanks for the question - Compression garments accomplish goals. They help keep the subcutaneous tunnels created by liposuction collapsed as scar tissue forms. This helps to maintain the improvement in contour. It also helps reduce the swelling in the area which will accelerate healing and create a better result as well. In our San Francisco office we have patients wear garments for 6 weeks. I hope this helps.

I like my patients to wear them all the time for 1 week. I use Topifoam beneath the garment as well. After that if they would like to leave them off at night, it is fine. Most patients prefer to wear them during the day when they are active. By holding the fat layer more firmly, the fat moves less and it hurts less. Will you still get a good result if you don't wear them? Sure, but you will swell more if you don't use them.

There really is no correct answer for the use of compression garments. However, 2 to 4 weeks is usually advised. The garments will definetly reduce the short-term swelling and may help inprove the contour. Some people really like wearing the garments and end up wearing them for months. Other people can't stand them and wear them only a few days. Most people end up just find whatever they choose to do. Good luck with your surgery.

I advise my patients to wear compression 24 / 7 for one month.  After that, about 30-40% of them ask "permission" to go a couple of weeks longer because they like the feel and sense more security. 

As you can see there are many answers to this question with no definitive consensus, and so it comes down to experience and opinion. I find quality of the garments make a big difference and sometimes excessively tight garments can compress and cause areas of adherence and tourniquet effects, producing even greater swelling. I generally prefer firm compression for the inflammatory phase of wound healing (first 4 days) followed by light compression for 3 weeks. I have become a fan of the... more

Hi!  They don't do any harm, but they are uncomfortable and do not improve the final result.  You will look better at 1 week with a garment, but at three months there is no difference. Other plastic surgeons in New York who do a lot of liposuction have come to the same conclusion.

Hello Cincin In our Santa Rosa plastic surgery practice, we ask that patients wear around-the-clock post-surgical compression for 3-4 weeks. An additional 3 weeks of wearing some form of less restrictive compression (Spanx, Lycra) is also recommended. There is no universal answer, but do listen to your body and your doctor. In the end, you are the best judge as to when the swelling has finally subsided and the body can go without support.

Every surgeon is different with their post op directions to their patients so I would follow your surgeon's direction for after surgery. I normally recommend that the compression garment is worn for 4 weeks after liposuction surgery and it may depend on exactly what areas were treated. Please make sure that you are consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with this type of procedure and follow his/her directions for post op care.

I recommend that you wear your garment for 6 weeks after liposuction to get the best results. It is important to control swelling and compress the remaining fat and soft tissue. This allows the healing process to shape or sculp the liposuctioned areas.

I've used compression garments over the last 25 yrs. and am a firm believer. Compression is important to COMPRESS the suction channels and minimise secondary fluid colection. I won't take on a patient who does not wear them 24/7 - except for bathroom and showering.

I usually recommend that patients wear the liposuction garment for about 3-6 weeks after surgery. They can go back to light exercises within 1-2 weeks and no restrictions usually within 3 weeks.