What Happens if You Wear a Compression Garment That is Too Tight After a Full TT and Lipo?

   Any concerns of the compression garment being too tight or not fitting properly should be addressed in person with the plastic surgeon.  The compression garment could cause a burn or pressure necrosis if too tight.

Thank you for the questions regarding whether you should wear a tighter compression garment after a full tummy tuck and liposuction. This is a question your personal plastic surgeon should answer. However, I would not suggest wearing your smaller garment at this time. You mentioned that it leaves a crease in the middle of your abdomen. This is not good. Creases and pleats in the garment can cause permanent indentations and permanent scarring. Not at all what you want. At this stage, I would wear your larger garment until you talk with your plastic surgeon. Perhaps, there is a slightly smaller garment than you are wearing but slightly looser than the second stage compression garment.  Compression garments are important to minimize swelling. However, garments can be too tight and can cause problems.  When considering a tummy tuck or plastic surgery in general, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. If there are any other questions that I can answer regarding compression garments after a tummy tuck or liposuction, please contact my office.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen

Please note that there will always be swelling during recovery. While your compression garment should be snug and keep everything in place, there is no reason for it to be painful at all and if it is then you should contact your surgeon right away. Be sure that you follow your surgeon’s instructions as to caring for yourself during recovery, and he will be the best person with all answers. Best of luck!

Compression garments are commonly recommended after aesthetic procedures to manage swelling, fluid accumulation and for support/comfort.  While they help to reduce problems and with recovery, there is scant evidence that they improve the aesthetic outcome.  There are some risk to wearing an ill-fitting or tight compression garment.  Creases can form in the skin which become adherent and result in a contour irregularity.  This is common in the adominal area when you sit and creases occur as you are describing.  If too tight and worn while drains are in, they can cause skin death due to too much pressure.  If your garment is causing skin creases, I would recommend going to a size that fits without causing skin creases.  Best wishes.

Compression postoperative garments should be never to tight  because lymphatic drainage can be blocked .

Thanks for your question,  take care  Dr. Vega  Tijuana,Mexico

A compression garment should be snug but not tight. It is supposed to manage swelling. Anything too tight can compromise blood flow. See your plastic surgeon. 

These compression garments are necessary for structural reconstruction after liposuction but tightness to the extreme can do more harm than good 

Hi Lhasara,

Go back to the loose garment until you have checked with your PS. Even after three weeks, a too tight garment could cause problerms depending on the area of compression:


Too much elastic tightness in the TT area below the belly button could lead to poor circulation in the skin and healing problems.

Fluid collections (seroma) might occur if the compression is not properly distrubuted.

If the garment extends onto the thighs and is too constrictive, it could affect the circulation in the veins.


When in doubt, always call your PS for advice.

Good luck!

 

 

I would favor going back to the looser one. After TT your sensation is diminished and you could actually cause injury because your protective sensation is not normal. you might check with your surgeon about using Spanx or some other mildly compressive garment at this stage.

Thanks for your question, best wishes.