Compression garment after fat transfer; what does it do and what are the benefits of continuing use?

Every surgeon prefers a certain type of compression garment, and I always advocate following your surgeon's post-operative guidelines as he/she knows the extent of your surgery and how well you are recovering.   Our office provides our lipo patients with an ADJUSTABLE compression garment they wear for six weeks to reduce swelling.  The  patients like the support it provides to the back and to the abdomen.  The only complaint I have heard is related to the "itchiness" of the fabric which can be remedied by wearing a soft t-shirt under the garment.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

You ask a most excellent question.
My practice I just about an exclusively to liposuction and fat transfer procedures.
I personally do not have an answer for your question.
My best answer is plastic surgeons use compression garments because all other plastic surgeons use compression garments.
I personally believe it's a simple as that.
There is little to no evidence that compression garments do any good in regards to long-term final results.
They do minimize swelling but swelling is not a bad thing.
Swelling it's your body's inflammatory response to injury caused by liposuction with or without fat transfer.
Just stop swelling is to say we should stop the healing process.
Swelling has no impact on final results.
A fluid collection in the area operated upon called a seroma can possibly form after liposuction but it is rare.
Some plastic surgeons believe compression garments decrease the chance of this happening.
I performed close to 4000 liposuction and procedures and have never had a problem with a seroma from liposuction.
I personally leave my incisions open after liposuction.
This causes fluid to drain for a few days afterwards.
We use absorbent pads to absorb this fluid and the compression garment is excellent at holding the pads in place.
I would be surprised if any doctor can give you is scientifically-based reason why we use compression garment.
Another honest answer by,
Mats Hagstrom, MD