I Didn't Wear a Compression Garment for 8 Hours - is This Damaging?

As you can see, each plastic surgeon has his or her own technique for wearing compression garments.  In my practice, I only require my patients to wear a compression garment for 2 weeks after liposuction.  I have been doing liposuction since 1983, and I find 2 weeks is more than sufficient to get the results one hopes for out of compression.  We do ultrasound (the kind physical therapists use for sore muscles) for a minimum of 4, and sometimes up to 8 times, post liposuction to decrease swelling and bruising.  Also, DMSO is an important component of my post liposuction program. This also decreases swelling and bruising. 

Compression garments certainly have their place after liposuction, but in my practice, after you have worn it for 2 weeks, your girdle has done all it can do.  Don't worry, not wearing it for that 8 hours made no difference whatsoever. 

The fat that is removed during your surgery creates extra space under your skin. Your body naturally fills this space with fluid, leading to swelling and possible complications. Your compression garment compresses your skin against your body so that the amount of fluid buildup is dramatically reduced. It also makes your skin follow the leaner contour of your body so that it does not sag. Wearing a compression garment can also improve your circulation. You need to wear your garment as advised by your surgeon, since you now understand how much swelling you can experience by not doing so. While 8 hours is a long time, please wear your garment and talk to your surgeon if you have concerns about your recovery. Best of luck.

   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.  8 hours should not have much of an effect.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Liposuction garments are useful in the postoperative period, especially in areas that tend to swell considerably after surgery such as the abdomen.  Make sure to massage your skin between washings to ensure that your skin rebounds appropriately.  Taking a small break with the garment will likely not compromise results. I always advise my liposuction patients to take supplements to reduce postoperative swelling. 

wearing a support girdle after liposuction is very important in keeping swelling, brusing, and the chance for developement of seroma to a minimal. Even more important than wearing a girdle is to massage all the areas that were liposuctioned. I usually ask my patients to wear thier girdle 24 hours a day for the first 3 weeks, and then half time for the second 3 weeks.