How do compression garments help healing?

Question

Hello! I would like to know how compression garments help heal after liposuction of the thighs (inner and outer) and tummy tuck. Is the attached photo similar to what I would get after my procedure?

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

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!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

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.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear maomichambers,compression garments help with fluid buildup by restricting it. Regarding the type of compression garment, every plastic surgeon has his own type which he prefers and recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Compression garments help reduce swelling and provide a smooth contour to optimize your results. I recommend that my patients wear compression garments 3 weeks post op 24/7, then 3 additional weeks at night only. Best of luck!

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I  have my liposuction patients wear a compression garment (faja) covering all treated areas 24/7 except to shower for 4 weeks post op.  This 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. However, if you garments are too tight they can restrict lymphatic drainage and blood flow leading to more swelling and complications.

Garrett Jones, DO · Answer

Compression garments are commonly used in various medical and surgical settings to aid in the healing process. Here's how they work and how they can help with healing:
1.	Reduced Swelling: Compression garments provide gentle pressure on the body's tissues, which helps to minimize the accumulation of fluid and swelling in the affected area. By reducing swelling, compression garments can improve circulation and promote the removal of excess fluid and waste products from the tissues, which is crucial for the healing process.
2.	Improved Blood Flow: Compression garments help to improve blood flow to the area by compressing blood vessels slightly. This enhanced circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, which are essential for tissue repair and regeneration. Improved blood flow also helps to remove metabolic waste products from the tissues more efficiently.
3.	Stabilization and Support: Compression garments provide support and stabilization to the affected area, which can be particularly beneficial after surgery or injury. By reducing movement and providing gentle compression, compression garments can help to protect healing tissues, minimize strain on injured structures, and promote proper alignment during the healing process.
4.	Scar Management: Compression garments can also help with scar management by applying constant pressure to the scar tissue. This pressure helps to flatten and soften the scar, reduce scar thickness, and improve the overall appearance of the scar over time. Additionally, compression garments can help to prevent excessive scar tissue formation, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars, by providing consistent pressure on the healing wound.
5.	Comfort and Pain Relief: In addition to their healing benefits, compression garments can provide comfort and pain relief, especially during the initial stages of healing when swelling and discomfort are common. The gentle pressure exerted by compression garments can help to alleviate pain and discomfort by reducing swelling and stabilizing the affected area.
Overall, compression garments play a valuable role in the healing process by reducing swelling, improving blood flow, providing support and stabilization, managing scars, and promoting comfort and pain relief. However, it's essential to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations regarding the use of compression garments and to wear them as directed for optimal healing outcomes.

Steven Varkony, MD · Answer

Compression garments help control and decrease the swelling after surgery. It helps control bruising and provides added support to the operative area. It is important to wear the garment for as long as your surgeon recommends to ensure proper healing.

Nicholas A. Flugstad, MD · Answer

Hi, yes what you have pictured there is a compression garment. Compression garments are very helpful after surgery. With liposuction, they prevent excessive internal swelling, bruising, and bleeding by applying pressure to tissues. With tummy tuck, they provide pressure that may prevent internal bleeding, and helps support the abdominal wall repair, which is typically done during tummy tuck. I typically use a longer one that goes close to the knees when I perform thigh liposuction, because it is critical to make sure the entire area that was operated on has even compression. Make sure you have a visit with an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon to discuss your aesthetic goals.

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Dear naomichambers,
Thanks so much for your inquiry. Compression Garments help reduce swelling and also provide support for the patient in the post-op, it helps in the healing process to reattach the skin to deeper tissue in the worked areas, to give a nice beautiful and smooth contour, we recommend that our patients wear compression garments 4 weeks post op.
Please make sure that you and your surgeon are on the same page. Don't forget to discuss all your concerns, options and expectations thoroughly. 
Have a safe and pleasant PS Journey!
Respectfully, 
Dr. Jaime Campos-Leon 
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG drcamposleon
snapchat: tjlipo

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