Should I be wearing a compression garment for arm lipo?

Question

It’s been 3-weeks since having arm Lipo. I have noticed no changes. Should I be wearing arm compression sleeves? What type?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with your Doctor about their protocol regarding compression. I have my patients wear compression for 3-6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. For liposuction after care, I recommend 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, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. Best, Dr. Emer

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Using a compression garment helps ontrol swelling as the compression on your tissues helps your body to reabsorb the edema fluid that accumulates in the tissues after any procedure. This can take quite some time to happen without help from the compression garments.  It also helps improve  contour.  Compression helps to keep the tissues adherent to the underlying structures while healing, this can help prevent the wrinkled skin appearance that can happen when the tissues heal in ways we don't want them to.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

DaShawn.  At this stage, unless you are very swollen, I don’t think that you need the elastic sleeves. They can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes cause swelling in my hands. Check in with your plastic surgeon for more explicit instructions. Best of luck!

Joyce C. Chen, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Thanks so much for your question!  For my patients, I recommend that they wear sleeve compression garment for 23 hours for the first 2 weeks, and then at least 12 hours a day for another 4 weeks.  The compression sleeve that I use is 3/4 length.  Hope this helps...best of luck!
Sincerely,
Joyce C. Chen, MD, MPH, FACS

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

That's a question for your PS, as PSs vary in their post-operative protocol recommendations.  My office provides the necessary compression garment for each area liposuctioned.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Michael S. Lofgren, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question.
Compression garments are usually a standard part of almost any liposuction.  There are multiple types available.  I would certainly check with your surgeon to see if there was a reason you were not instructed to wear them.  There may be a good reason.
Best wishes.

Karen Quigley, MD · Answer

Compression garments for the arms are very difficult. Early on they can be too tight. Some of my patients have used Nike sleeves which seem to be helpful. It takes a while (maybe 3-4 mos) to see improvement in the arms.

Emile Brown, MD · Answer

The arms are a tricky area for liposuction, because the skin does not contract as reliably as in other parts of the body. However, you are still early in your recovery and likely still have some swelling, so be patient. Arm compression garments can be a bit cumbersome, but I still think they are important - especially for the first month or so after surgery. Usually it is best if they come down to the wrist level. Best of luck with your recovery.
Emile N. Brown, MD
Johns Hopkins & Harvard Trained Plastic Surgeon

Should I be wearing a compression garment for arm lipo?

Answers (8)

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