Compression Garment for 12 Weeks After Hip, Thigh and Ab Lipo?

Question

I had lipo to hips, thighs, abdomen and have been told by my PS to wear my compression garment for 12 weeks for best results. It's been over 6 weeks now. Is there any benefit wearing it for longer?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	I think it would be  in your  best interest to follow your plastic surgeon's recommendations  despite receiving a variety of different online recommendations. Your surgeon knows you, the procedure you had performed, and the progress of your making.

	I hope this helps.

Richard H. Fryer, MD · Answer

Compression garments are necessary after liposuction to help reduce swelling, prevent fluid build up, and to relieve the effect of gravity on the loose skin.  The duration of compression garments depends on the technique used for liposuction, the amount of fat removed, and the presence/absence of fluid pockets.  Your surgeon is the best person to ask regarding how helpful it is going to be.

	Think about it another way though.  Let's say in 6 months you decide that you're not exactly satisfied with your result and want to have  a little revision lipo done.  If your surgeon finds out that you didn't follow his/her instructions on wearing the compression garment do you think they will be eager to give you a "return patient" discount or incentive?  I personally do not perform revision lipo for free because there are so many variables. Instead I charge by the hour for liposuction and revision liposuction as well.

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

The length of time the compression garment should be worn depends on several factors;

	
		Your surgeons technique,
	
		The method of liposuction
	
		the amount of fat removed,
	
		the laxity or contractility of skin,
	
		the amount of swelling and bruising that you are experiencing.


	I, like most surgeons, ask patients to wear compression garments for 6-12 weeks.

	Hope this was helpful.

	Dr. Sajjadian

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

As long as the garment is not ill-fitting and causing temporary indents, there might be subtle improvement in the final result, or a decrease in the time needed postoperatively to see the final result by wearing the compression garment longer than six weeks, but this has not been studied well. Some patients feel better to wear it longer than six weeks and if that's the case, I certainly allow them.

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

No one really knows how long the compression garments really make a difference for.  I usually tell my patients to wear them for 6 weeks at a minimum, but after that, I make it optional for them.  Some women wear them longer, while others stop wearing them.  In reality, after 6 weeks, the changes really should happen on their own if theya re going to change anymore, so you could stop wearing it if you want to.  I hope this helps.

Compression Garment for 12 Weeks After Hip, Thigh and Ab Lipo?

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Answer: Compression Garments Can Help, But For How Long?

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Compression Garment for 12 Weeks After Hip, Thigh and Ab Lipo?

Answers (6)

Answer: Liposuction compression garments

Answer: Liposuction compression garments

Answer: Compression Garments Can Help, But For How Long?

Answer: Compression Garments Can Help, But For How Long?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.