Extreme itching after liposuction with compression garment (1 week post op) 24 hours break to heal?

Question

Hi doctors, I had Liposuction about a week ago and wore my compression garment religiously 24X7 till day 8. I have developed red rashes all over the body specially around incisions (adhesive tapes are making it much worse). If I take a 24 hour break to cool and dry the rashes off, would it throw off my results ? What should I do as the itching is extremely unbearable. thanks so much for your answers.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

My patients typically wear the garment as much as possible for six weeks to prevent irregularities of lipo.  Should the swelling resolve faster than usual, they will can tighten their garment  I have received no complaints about wearing the garment other than its itchy quality.  Wearing a soft t-shirt under it resolves this problem.  Consult with your PCP to see if benadryl would help with the allergic reaction to the tape.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your procedure and I'm sorry to hear about the itching that you have been experiencing. Most likely this is related to the tape over the incisions, but it's important that you reach out to your surgeon. They may want to examine you to make sure that everything looks good and that there is no sign of infection. In my office, I would recommend removing the tape and taking a break from the garment if needed. However, only your surgeon can give you specific advice. Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Itching can be typical, but since you have a rash, I recommend following up with your Doctor. You may also have swelling, which can last 3-6 months after your procedure. I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding vanquish for further fat removal, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Hello Twisa7127, 
I’m sorry for the adverse symptoms you are experiencing. Typically, itching of the treated areas after liposuction may occur as part of the normal healing process. However, since the itching is extremely unbearable, I would recommend resisting the urge to scratch at all costs and consulting with your plastic surgeon to rule out infection and/or allergic reactions. Some patients experience allergic itchiness in response to certain medicines, adhesives, and medical tape; wearing the post-operative compression garments; or irritation at the site of the incision. Your plastic surgeon may switch your compression garments to a product that doesn’t irritate your skin, and/or change your medications, and prescribe oral anti-histamines (such as Benadryl, Zyrtec or Claritin) and anti-histamine lotions, as well as oath meal soap and products that can be purchased at most drugstores. Keep yourself hydrated and avoid alcohol, since alcohol is an inflammatory, so it may increase swelling and itching. Staying properly hydrated will help reduce dry skin, which is often the cause for excessive flakiness and itching following surgery. Good luck and may God bless you! Dr. De La Cruz.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for the question and I know this can be incredibly annoying and uncomfortable. If you are getting a rash at this point I would call your doc, we always want to make sure its not an infection after that I try to decide is it a contact dermatitis from the material or tape, is it a reaction to meds, or is it from the heat and moisture given its summer. After that I ask patients to remove and clean the garment and use a mild steroid cream after a shower with a gentle cleanser assuming the other causes have been ruled out!

Daniel Man, MD · Answer

it is not uncommon to to find yourself itching while tape has been used.  Gently remove the tape with mineral oil or massage oil and use hydrocortisone pint 3 times / day until rash and redness start going away. You will be fine give it 48-72 h so that will subside.  
Thank you for contactIng Dr  Daniel Man

Extreme itching after liposuction with compression garment (1 week post op) 24 hours break to heal?

Answers (6)

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