Compression garment concerns after Smart Lipo

I'm 26yrs old, 113 lbs and had 550 cc's removed from my stomach/flanks through Liposuction exactly 1 week ago. The compression garment the doctor gave me is adding to the lumpiness (I knew to expect some). Is the type/brand of garment important for outcome? Is tighter/stiffer better? My ribs are little sore. Is this amount of unevenness normal? Thank you!

Compression garment concerns after Smart Lipo
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11 answers to “Compression garment concerns after...”

A: Topifoam and girdle type garments

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Like Dr. Marosan a couple of posts above me, I'm a great fan of topifoam (or epifoam). I also recommend Spanx after the first couple of weeks. The skin heals best when it is "splinted" and under compression. The epifoam protects against creases when sitting or  moving around and concentrates the... more

A: Compression garment doesn't really add "lasting lumps"

John P. Di Saia, MD

Hello, Right after liposuction, surgery patients can be kinda lumpy. The garments actually help reduce this. The folds in them do not lead to long lasting lumps. It is important that your surgeon sees you in your garment and approves of how it fits you howerver.

A: Looks OK

Scott E. Kasden, MD

The compression garment will tend to cause temporary waviness because the tension isn't even.  At this point the waves are due to more swelling being moved out from the areas under greatest tension.  It will be nearly impossible to see any divots or high points at this point due to swelling. sek

A: Compression garments after liposuction

Steven Wallach, MD

 The garment you show in your photos is really one that is used primarily for tummy tucks.  I prefer garments that you have to zipper on like a girdle.  They don't usually cause as many ripples.

A: At one week after Rhinoplasty, you're OK

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD

The compression garment decreases swelling, but willnot dictate the final shape. The liposuction is defined at surgery. The final appearance willdepend on that surgery. Keep on the compression garment, and don't worry about it until the swelling isgone in3 to 12 months.

A: Liposuction and Contouring

Farbod Esmailian, MD

Contouring is all done in the operating room.  The garment is to help with the edema and swelling and comfort.  It really will not shape you, your surgeon does that.  The fact that you see some lumpiness is common after surgery and you are very early to tell how your result will be.  You... more

A: 1 week after lipo is early to get worried

David Shafer, MD

 1 week after lipo is early to get worried about anything.  You still have considerable swelling to resolve.  In the long run, the garment does not really matter.  The garment helps with short-term swelling reduction and helps reduce pain due to shearing forces.  You are not wearing a... more

A: Lumpiness has to do more with technique than the garment

George Marosan, MD

No matter which modality you use for liposuction, the area should be uniform and without major lumps. During healing when there's tissue inflammation there can be some irregularities, but these resolve over time. A form fitting compression garment with thick foam (like epifoam) underneath causes uniform... more

A: Compression garments after liposuction

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

There is no perfect compression garment and this is an area of research that may be negelected and warrants further study. This often comes down to the physicians personal preferences and experience and so I will describe my regimen. The other physicans have brought up the standard goals of... more

A: Waviness influenced by garment

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Waviness is an intrinsic risk or potential side effect of liposuction. A compression garment is usually intended for use most importantly during the first week when swelling and burising is occurring. However, I usually suggest wearing it around the abdomen only when standing or walking. Not only is the edema... more

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Comments

picky82
10 posts
7 Jun 2009

Dear Doctors, Thanks so much for your help! I feel much better knowing that the final outcome has little to do with which type of garment I wear. I switched to a product similar to Spanx now that it has been 10 days since and the binder is too loose anyhow. My only other question is, I've heard yo should not take vitamins or aspirin after surgery. When can I start taking my multi-vitamin again? -pickypickypicky

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