What are the effects of wearing a post-surgical garment for two entire weeks?

Question

Will wearing a post-surgical face mask ("garment") for up to two weeks post-surgery cause any permanent damage to the skin and nerves, i.e. will long garment wear compromise the results?

Franklin D. Richards, MD · Answer

Wearing a compression dressing after a facelift is usually not needed beyond one or two days after your procedure. It may even cause harm if it is tight and worn for longer periods. I would discuss with your surgeon what is usually done in his/her practice and why.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Usually a postoperative garment is changed 1 day after surgery and then an elastic garment that is snug but not tight is used for 1-2 weeks.  If you have a postop garment that feels too tight and is not planned on being changed for a while, it may be best to change it anyways to ensure everything is healing well.

Robert J. Schutz, MD · Answer

A properly fitting  neck strap should be comfortable and not too tight.  It will help reshape with the neck skin over the underlying muscles if a true  open  neck reshaping procedure was performed. It also helps the patient to not flex their necks during  this healing process.

Kathleen Waldorf, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In my practice I do not recommend any long term use of a compression garment after a face lift.  Occasional use may help with discomfort and a swollen, heavy feeling but care must be taken as the skin is often numb and could be compromised it the garment rubs or is too tight.  I recommend you discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon and abide by their protocol.

Myriam Loyo, MD · Answer

In my practice, I use a surgical wrap for 24 hrs after the face and/or neck lift. The bandage is removed the day after surgery and we help you wash your hair (as well as check the surgery site). I do recommend an elastic garment to use at your comfort for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. We call the elastic garment a "jaw bra" and I think it provides a little extra support during the initial healing. The elastic should be snug but not tight and if it is too uncomfortable you can take it off. Every surgeon has a slightly different protocol. I know great surgeons that always recommend using a bandage after a facelift and surgeons who never use it. My advise is to work closely with your surgeon and follow his or her recommendations to get the best results possible and promote healing.Hope this helps!

Michael F. Bohley, MD · Answer

Many Plastic Surgeons use some type of soft compression to gently support the sub-mental (under chin) and neck skin. In my practice, patients may remove the garment at intervals for comfort. Head elevation is recommended during the first few weeks, to encourage normal swelling to decrease as rapidly as possible. I no longer routinely use drains in my facelift procedures. Each practitioner has their own post-surgical protocol. I would defer to the advice of your operative surgeon.Dr. B

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we do not use any post surgical garments, because they can cause skin necrosis in the neck. They are very uncomfortable and will not benefit patients after a facelift procedure.  Alternatively, we place surgical drains underneath the skin of the neck and they are left in place for 24 hours to drain the fluid out from underneath the skin of the neck. This avoids the  painful compression dressings. For more information and many before-and-after facelift examples, please see the link and the video below

Craig Harrison, MD · Answer

Al surgeons will have their own unique post op care regimens.  I usually keep patients with some gentle support for two days not weeks post op.  Would two weeks be better?  Frankly my patients probably wouldn't be compliant with more days under wraps!!  You have chosen your surgeon, so you should consider following their advise.  Best wishes

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Surgeons each have their own protocol. We find patients heal best in our hands with no facial pressure garments but rather full time head elevation for 2-4 weeks postop.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

That is a good question for your surgeon.  Each surgeon has their own protocol in regards to recovery instructions.  Best to check in with him or her.

What are the effects of wearing a post-surgical garment for two entire weeks?

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