Sutures and Compression Garment After Tickle Lipo?

Question

Do you have sutures that ooze and do you have to wear a compression wrap after this type of lipo (like you would with SmartLipo).

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Compression garments type and when applied varies from plastic surgeon to plastic surgeon and not dependent usually on the type of lipo performed. In my practice, A compression garment placed in surgery immediately after liposuction (steristrip protects the sutures)  is recommended and beneficial after liposuction because:It restricts the amount of edema that forms and hastens its resolution by mechanical pressure.It decreases the amount of bruising.It assists the loose skin in retracting or shrinking.If bands are present then you need to change garments - see your plastic surgeon.It is common to have weight gain due to edema, serum that collects in the area, and the tumescent fluid that was injected. This will resolve over time. The more you wear the garment initially, the quicker this fluid resolves.Edema: a condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.The length of time that the garment should be worn varies depending on the amount of fat removed, the elastic nature of your skin, how much loose skin remains, and other factors. Your surgeon would give you the best advice, however this is the general routine for my patients.The first garment should be fitted for you in the office prior to surgery and applied in the operating room. Often it will become loose as the edema is mobilized, and then it will need to be replaced. Spanx is a reasonable compression garment if it gives enough support and is the right size. I have my patents bring them in so I can confirm that it fits well.Most important advice is to listen to your surgeon, as he or she knows how much fat was removed, the elasticity that remains in your skin, and amount of skin redundancy.I recommend that my patients wear their garments for a minimum of three weeks full time then for twelve hours at a time (day or night). If there is not a lot of redundant skin, this continues to a maximum of six weeks.To be effective, the garment needs to fit snugly—but not too tight as that can make it difficult to sleep or cause pressure problems (inspect your skin when it is exposed if you are uncomfortable). As the edema resolves it is common for patients to switch to a smaller garment that fits. A Spanx-type garment would work fine, rather than ordering one or paying more at your doctor’s office. For Small or moderate amounts of liposuction it probably doesn't make a difference if a garment is used or not.

Jennifer Reichel, MD · Answer

Like standard tumescent liposuction, and Laser-assisted liposuction, Tickle liposuction requires small incision sites around the treatment area to insert the tumescent solution, and the cannulas to remove the unwanted fatty deposits. Sometimes the sites are sutured but often they are left open to assist with fluid drainage. For almost all patients, compression garments are worn for approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

regardless of liposuction, whether smartlipo, conventional tumescent, jet, powered, or other names, some physicians suture their insertion sites and others leave them open to drain and heal. There is no one correct way of doing this.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Post-operative care is nearly identical. Sutures are commonly but not always utilized. Wounds will ooze for typically up to 18 hours. Compression garments are freqeuntly employed. gf

Timothy Zelko, DO · Answer

The use of sutures post Tickle Lipo or for that matter any lipo procedure is pure physician preference. I personally never use them because I want the anesthetic fluid that I just administered to you to run out as soon as possible. Suturing those incisions just keeps that fluid inside, keeps you more bloated and with the compression garment, in my mind, creates added pressure with leads to more discomfort. Then your body has to take extra time to reabsorb that fluid.
I will steri-strip my incisions to approximate the skin edges which minimizes scar formation and still allows the anesthetic fluid to effectively drain. Use of the compression garment helps to insure that the areas treated will drain thoroughly. I believe that compression garment is good solely for that very reason. I only require my patients to wear their compression garment for one week and then we switch them over to a spanx-like undergarment, much more comfortable but still aids in the support of the areas treated.
Some of my colleagues will question why I only have my patients wear the garment for one week. Since there is minimal harm to the tissue with a Tickle procedure, there is no need to wear it longer then one week and most of my patients are very happy to get out of it as soon as possible. With other types of lipo there is more tissue damage, therefore more swelling and a longer healing process which then requires a longer use of the compression garment.

Sutures and Compression Garment After Tickle Lipo?

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Answer: Tickle Lipo aftercare

Answer: Do I need sutures or a compression garment after Tickle Lipo?

Answer: Do I need sutures or a compression garment after Tickle Lipo?

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Sutures and Compression Garment After Tickle Lipo?

Answers (9)

Answer: Tickle Lipo aftercare

Answer: Tickle Lipo aftercare

Answer: Do I need sutures or a compression garment after Tickle Lipo?

Answer: Do I need sutures or a compression garment after Tickle Lipo?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tickle Lipo

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