What determines the removal of compression garments?

Hello there,
You seem to have been doing lot of research on post surgery protocols. As you rightly pointed there are multiple variables and thats why the compression garment protocol differs between surgeons. Its never a random number for any surgeon. They would have chosen the number to generalize in their patients based on their experience and their technique. If i were to choose individually when to stop it, it would definitely depend on the hardness of skin going down, any persisting swelling, and few more small factors like skin pinchability, any adherence of skin and compliance of patient regarding massaging of the areas. Generally after 2months there is no much role of compression garments in giving shape to the body.
Hope this clears your doubt. Thank you for your question here

Dear Gavmess,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

About 90% of swelling will be gone by 3 months, the remainder of the swelling (10%) takes up to a year to go away. Many people recommend compression garments for 6 weeks but it just helps with the swelling. Everyone heals at a different rate but if you find that the compression isn't helping much anymore, it's probably fine to remove it.

This is a tough question that you asked. The pressure garments (corsets) after liposuction helps the body remodel and take the form in the way we want. As the healing period goes up to one year, the use of the garment use up to one year is not illogical. However, as this garments are not practical to use, we usually give the minimal time that it must be used. So this is the earlı healing period which is 6 weeks. There is no harm that long use of the garment. Longer the garment, better remodelling.

The purpose of compression after liposuction is to reduce the swelling that is caused by the tumescence (liquid infiltrated for prior to fat removal) as well as the inflammatory process that is expected from liposuction. Reducing the swelling may allow the skin to contract and redrape a little faster than if the swelling lingers. Every patient’s recovery process varies given their ability to mobilize fluids, how extensive the liposuction was and how active they are after liposuction, etc. There is no hard number to stick to for compression duration. Peak inflation (swelling) can last up to approx one month.

Compression garments are designed to support healing tissues and control swelling. Their use, and the determination to stop using them, varies by doctor and patient results. Typically once swelling is well controlled and the patient is comfortable, the compression garment is no longer needed.

There is no evidence that compression garments have any impact on final results so it’s up to each individual provider and what they feel is appropriate. most plastic surgeons simply do what other plastic surgeons do though some may have personal opinions believing they are more or less important.

Personally I don’t think compression garments make much difference so I have my patients wear them for two weeks or longer if they wish.

They do not change final outcome.

I suppose it’s litter like saying how many days do you keep a cut covered with a Band-Aid.

The Band-Aid doesn’t really help the wound heal so it’s mostly there for convenience.

There is very little true difference among different Liposuction devices. all of them including VASER in the end rely on a small stainless steel tube connected to a suction pump.

When it comes to Liposuction there are only two variables that matter.

The individual patients candidacy in the skills and experience of the provider.

Mats Hagstrom MD

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Removal of compression garment is determined by the degree of swelling that you have. The longer you keep the compression garment, the less swelling you will eperience. Average time for compression garment is 1 month at our office. Your body health, protein levels, thickness of soft tissues go into determining how long you will keep your garments in place. Please consider a virtual consultation with a high definition expert to get an accurate estimate of how long you will need a garment.