Does the compression garment actually help contour your body?

Thank you for your question. The goal of a compression garment is to reduce swelling and help maintain the shape and contour that the surgeon created post surgery. I hope this helps!

Thank you for your question.  The post surgical compression garments are typically for reducing swelling.  It may help with the contouring.  I would suggest following your surgeons recommendations and protocol.  Best of luck to you. 

Great Question! Please follow the post surgery care instruction advised by your plastic surgeon. Compression garments that are worn after surgery help immensely with swelling after surgery. They can also help with body contouring. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. Best wishes!

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. 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

I would ask your plastic surgeon about garments and the duration of wear, because each plastic surgeon will have a different protocol.   The patients who tend to have healing issues with larger volume liposuction procedures tend to be the ones who do not wear the compression garments at all, wear them very inconsistently, or do not wear them snugly covering all areas of liposuction.  I prefer adjustable garments with multiple bands so that tension can be adjusted. The key here is the size and the ability to tighten the garment, not the brand or make. The support of the garment can help your body adapt to its new shape and reduces the risk of your skin developing a lax appearance.

There is no doubt that compression after liposuction provides smoother and faster recovery. However, whether this makes significant influence on the final result, lets say one year after surgery, is very difficult to confirm. I hope this helps.

Dear AnonymousRN,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for your question and sharing your photos. Compression after liposuction speeds up the healing, controls the swelling and eventually skin retraction and contours. I have my patients wear compression garment for 3-4 weeks post op. Best,Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Patients are encouraged to maintain compression for 6-8 weeks post op (4 weeks full time and 2-4 weeks part time). Garments should be snug but not necessarily unbearable. They will initially be tight and will loosen as swelling subsides necessitating either a second stage garment or alterations. That being said, regimens and garments will vary from practice to practice. Ultimately, the goal is to mitigate swelling as you heal to ensure a smooth contour in treated areas.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Verified MemberRealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame 

 Good question! Essentially compression garments speed recovery after liposuction by decreasing swelling faster and in a sense, recontouring the regions treated by compressing the skin as it retracts after surgery. I ask my liposuction patients to wear this garment for at least 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, as I do think that it  speeds recovery and may improve the final result.