If I don't wear my compression will my results not come out as good?

Question

I had Laser Lipo 8 weeks ago and have been wearing my compression ever since. I was told to wear it for at least 2 months but then told 5 months. I'm over wearing it unless I absolutely need to. I understand that the compression helps with swelling but does it help with shaping and keeping the results intact? Is it like the longer I wear it the better the results will be? I don't mind a slower healing time if I take it off but I want to make sure it will not ruin any greater results.

Oxana Popescu, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
The use of a compression garment reduces swelling, and immediately after the procedure prevents fluids collection under the skin. Less swelling equals faster a recovery. 
Patients report that discomfort is controlled better when wearing the compression garment.   
I typically recommend compression garment 24 hours a day for 4 weeks, then at night time until pain resolves.
Speedy recovery from Westchester County, NY.
Oxana Popescu MD

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Hi Thea, swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. Compression garments can also reduce bruising, prevent seromas and hematomas (which can cause scarring and infection), and help the skin adopt a proper shape post-surgery.I suggest adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

William Groff, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question and I appreciate your concern. Compression garments play different roles after liposuction, including minimizing swelling, ensuring an even shape and encouraging the skin to tighten smoothly over the new contour. If your doctor has expanded the amount of time you need to wear your garment, I would ask what the benefit might be in doing so. Typically, my patients can move from a tighter compression to a more comfortable garment after one week, depending on how the healing is progressing. Five months seems like an extended period, so I would not be afraid just to ask the reasoning behind the instruction. You can also ask about going to part-time wear if the garment is uncomfortable.

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

I usually have my liposuction patients wer my office supplied compression garments for 4-8 weeks depending. Then I let them transition into lighter compression shapewear like Spanx though there are many other brands available. I have them wear these at night only at first with the heavy garment during the day. Then the shapewear 24/7  and as they get better, shapewear during day and nothing at night and finally no compression at all, usually about 12 weeks. Discuss your options with your surgeon. Good luck.

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thank you for this very common question. The exact answer is debated, but generally compression garments are a good idea for the first few weeks or so until the majority of swelling subsides. Beyond that, it's largely for comfort. Most patients report they can tell if they don't wear them. Best wishes

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

i believe compression is very important for a few weeks in order to get the skin to attach smoothly.  after two weeks it keeps down the swelling but i dont think it changes the final result..it just gets you there faster.. after 4-6 weeks there is probably no benefit

Andres Barrera, MD · Answer

I recommend you use it at least for 3 months because is the perfect time to get a permanently result.
If you have any other question dont hesitate to write me 
Dr. Andres Barrera Vanhissenhoven
Plastic Suergeon 
Bogota - Colombia

T. Joshua Baker, MD · Answer

I generally suggest 4-6 weeks, unless skin laxity is a concern and then I suggest wearing for at least 3 months. It definitely helps to shape in the post operative period. For patients who hate the compression (most patients!), I offer a compromise of wearing 12 hours 3-4 days out of the week once they get to the 4-6 week stage. Hope this helps!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

there is no scientific evidence that compression garments serve any medical purpose.  I typically ask my patients to wear them one week continuously except for showers in the second week 12 hours on 12 hours off. Patient is going to wear them longer than two weeks if they wish.  I do not believe compression garments have any impact on final results whatsoever. It's inappropriate for anybody to recommend anything different than what your doctor has recommended for postoperative care. So my formal recommendation is to follow what your doctor has recommended but as stated be aware the different doctors have different policies and there is very little evidence showing one is more correct over the other. Best, Mats Hagstrom M.D.

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and
welcome to our forum!
Congratulations
on your recent procedure...The procedure of liposuction is an
"insult" to the soft tissues, resulting in swelling which will
initially totally obscure the operative result. The
purpose of a compression garment is to prevent bleeding and to control
swelling. Every plastic surgeon has their own unique postoperative protocol which has developed after years of experience. There are almost as many protocols as there are plastic surgeons! 
We usually recommend compression for the first 4-6 weeks after the
procedure unless swelling is paramount in which case we may continue its use for a longer period as well as add lymphatic massage, ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments to hasten its resolution. Extended compression will not change the ultimate result....it is used to control swelling.
60-80%
of the swelling should subside within the first 6 weeks, with the remainder
slowly subsiding over 6-12 months.
Continue
followup care with your plastic surgeon...
Best wishes...

If I don't wear my compression will my results not come out as good?

Answers (11)

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