How do compression garments help healing?

Hi there and thanks for your question! I recommend my patients wear a compression garment for 4-6 weeks.  In terms of liposuction, compression helps reduce swelling and bruising and promotes a more contoured look.  After an abdominoplasty, compression is key to reduce swelling and prevent seroma formation by forcing the layers of the skin to adhere.  It also helps to support the abdominal wall muscles.  Patients tend to like wearing the abdominal compression as it feels better and gives them more support. I recommend speaking to your plastic surgeon for his post operative protocol. Best of luck! 

I would ask your plastic surgeon about garments and the duration of wear, because each plastic surgeon will have a different protocol.  Most plastic surgeons encourage patients to wear the compression garment for the first six weeks to improve shape, increase the rate of healing, and decrease the rate of seroma (fluid collection) formation.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

garments are essential post surgical to help decrease swelling and keep the skin tight, but so are the other essentials such as hyperbaric, massage and RF treatments.  Best, Dr. Emer.