Will Not Wearing Compresion Garment the Full 6 Weeks Ruin Lipo Results?

Question

I had abdominal liposuction with closed stitches and general anesthesia. I wore the garment for about a week-and-a-half and due to extreme discomfort took it off. I know the garment helps reduce swelling and recover faster, but if I didn't wear it the full 6 weeks did I ruin the end results. It's been 8 weeks and my stomach has reduced greatly in swelling, but still hard and a little puffy. I don't care how long it takes to recover, as long as I look good in the end. Did I ruin my chances at a nice body?

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

The recovery process after liposuction can be 3-6 months for some women, which is why most surgeons insist on some sort of compression for at least 6 weeks.  This just helps get rid of excess swelling and helps retrain the skin to be tighter and firmer.  However, this does not mean the results will only happen with the garment on.  It just means that the results will happen quicker if youa re diligent with teh compression

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

the short answer is probably not. 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

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Compression garments after liposuction are to cut down on immediate swelling and prevent fluid collections.  If it is too tight, then it will hinder drainage but since your doc went "old school" and sutured up your incisions and did it under gen anesthesia, it doesn't matter as much . Trust what your doc says and be sure to follow up with massages or endermology to help get the results faster.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

It is doubtful that wearing the garment for four vs. six weeks will make a difference, but this has not been studied.  It does make some patients more comfortable though, and some wear it longer than six weeks. It may minimize the risk of fluid collections but if you don't have a seroma at this time, than it would be doubtful one would occur once you discontinue the use of the gament.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Many surgeons ask patients to wear a compression garment for six weeks following liposuction and body contouring procedures, presumably feeling that this compression is beneficial for your result. I am not aware of research that demonstrates a benefit of wearing a garment for 6 weeks, but at the same time it should not cause a problem if the garment fits well.

	More important for your result, I believe, is lymphatic and tissue massage performed after surgery. I learned about perioperative massage several years ago (our therapists call it "therapy" instead of "massage" because so many people are afraid that massage is going to be painful after surgery). My patients and I have been so impressed with its effectiveness that we "bough the company." Not really, but we have brought perioperative massage therapy into our office for the convenience it provides our patients.

	Just yesterday a patient told me that her therapy was the "best thing in the world" and felt "absolutely amazing." She was 3 weeks out from breast augmentation with silicone implants and because she traveled to Denver for her surgery from Aspen, she even had her first therapy appointment 1 day after surgery. I hear this type of testament from patients on a regular basis.

	So, back to the compression garment and the full 6 weeks. Probably won't hurt, but I believe that skilled perioperative massage therapy is more beneficial. For larger areas of liposuction in my practice I commonly require a compression garment for 1-2 weeks, add to this massage therapy and teaching of tissue massage, and encourage patients to consider a light compression garment for comfort following this (such Spanks or similar slimming undergarments).

	Hope this helps.

Will Not Wearing Compresion Garment the Full 6 Weeks Ruin Lipo Results?

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Answer: Compression garments after liposuction

Answer: Compression garments after liposuction

Answer: You Must Wear Your Compression Garment for 6 Weeks after Liposuction, or else...

Answer: You Must Wear Your Compression Garment for 6 Weeks after Liposuction, or else...

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Will Not Wearing Compresion Garment the Full 6 Weeks Ruin Lipo Results?

Answers (10)

Answer: Compression garments after liposuction

Answer: Compression garments after liposuction

Answer: You Must Wear Your Compression Garment for 6 Weeks after Liposuction, or else...

Answer: You Must Wear Your Compression Garment for 6 Weeks after Liposuction, or else...

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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