Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery?

Question

Hello, I came to this one surgeon for a consultation. She told me that I will not wear the fajas the first week after surgery because she will wrap me up, is this normal and safe to do? She also said that she does not have compression socks for me and I will not need to wear it. She does not offer any massages and massages are not required for BBL. Please help me clear this out because it's quite suspicious because her procedures are different from everyone else.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

Keep in mind this is from a surgeon's perspective. I have never had a BBL, but I have operated on a lot of patients who have--and this is what I have learned from them.⁠ First off yes you need to wear a Faja. It is imperative because you will leak a lot of fluid for the first 24 hours, and because blood is like food coloring you can mistake it for bleeding. You are not bleeding; it is the fluid that is put in during surgery along with your own lymphatic fluid that comes out after a BBL. Just make sure to wear your Faja all the time to keep compression.⁠ We recommend it 24/7 for the first 6 weeks removing only to shower.
What does the Faja do? At first it will keep compression to help limit fluid accumulation and prevent any bleeding and help the skin stick down to the underlying fat and prevents seromas. The Faja is going to be your best friend as it provides comfort.⁠
Get your Faja tailored as you begin to shrink. This is simple and most tailors can adjust your Faja. You don't need phase 1 and two and all of that--it is simple--as your Faja gets loose then take it in to get tailored. Tailor it to your body. If you are shrinking a lot then you may need to buy a smaller Faja. Fajas are meant to be snug, but not too tight.⁠
Exercise as soon as you feel like you can. I think it helps to increase blood flow and reduce swelling. Begin slow with walking and then you can ramp it up to the treadmill as soon as you feel like you can do it. ⁠
⁠Massage. Massage. Massage. Get a minimum of ten lymphatic massages starting the day after your surgery. I am not sure why someone would advise against this as it is an important part of your recovery. Massages hurt. You need to endure the discomfort because the results are much better with good massages, and the early ones are the most important.⁠ 
Touch. Touch. Touch. This is different than massage--it is super important to help with the nerves. It is commonly overlooked. Just use your hands on top of the Faja at first and then directly on your skin when the Faja is open to shower or get a massage. Start on the day of surgery.⁠ This will be incredibly helpful to your recovery as it will prevent the nerves from getting too sensitive.
⁠Finally, get some type of roller to help smooth and soften your skin and you will continue to do this for 6 months. 6 months?!! Yes, 6 months, it takes a long time to heal.⁠
No sitting on your butt or hips for 2 weeks. Then when you start to sit use a BBL pillow for the next 4 weeks. Sit normally after 6 weeks.

Matthew J. Nykiel, MD · Answer

Hello and great question. I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure. My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel. I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Butt Augmentation Specialist.
It is very important to wear your Faja all the time to minimize swelling during your healing process.⁠ We recommend it 24/7 for the first 6 weeks removing only to shower. 
I would definitely recommend doing an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this procedure and who can suggest what is needed. I hope that helps! Best of luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. Each surgeon has their own specific pre operative and post operative instructions they follow. Therefor, it may differ among the surgeons you choose to consult with. I provide patients with an abdominal binder after surgery which they are instructed to wear for a few days post op. I then provide a referral for a Faja specialist if they choose they want to wear one but it is optional. I also offer massages included in the post op package as I believe it is important and necessary for smooth results. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The PS you have selected to perform your BBL should provide you with post operative instructions, one of which will be the type of compression garment and length of wear.  Based upon his/her experience not all PSs recommend a compression garment as each patient is unique. 
Our office provides our BBL patients with an adjustable compression garment manufactured by Clear Point.  The  patients like the support it provides to the back and to the abdomen.  The only complaint I have heard is related to the "itchiness" of the fabric which can be remedied by wearing a soft t-shirt under the garment.
The patients who tend to have healing issues with larger volume liposuction procedures tend to be the ones who do not wear the compression garments at all, wear them very inconsistently, or do not wear them snugly covering all areas of liposuction. I prefer adjustable garments with multiple bands so that tension can be adjusted. The key here is the size and the ability to tighten the garment, not the brand or make.
I do not recommend lymphatic massages for my patients after liposuction and BBL.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear azen7179,
some plastic surgeons recommend compression garments, others don't. But every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol, which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery?

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Answer: Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery? More about Brazilian Butt Lift

Answer: Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery? More about Brazilian Butt Lift

Answer: Postoperative protocol

Answer: Postoperative protocol

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Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery?

Answers (7)

Answer: Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery? More about Brazilian Butt Lift

Answer: Is it normal and safe to not wear faja after BBL surgery? More about Brazilian Butt Lift

Answer: Postoperative protocol

Answer: Postoperative protocol

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Everything you need to know about Brazilian Butt Lift

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