Compression garments are clothing items that are made up of stretchable and breathable material that should be worn on the area treated after any kind of surgery. They play a role in speeding your recovery by minimising swelling, limiting excess movement and preventing fluid retention. Compression garments are an important part of post-operative care. Whether you are getting liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction surgery, abdominoplasty, or any other kind of cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, wearing a compression garment is essential.
Most cosmetic surgery patients would do anything to feel more comfortable after surgery. A good quality compression garment is designed with this in mind. A good compression garment can promote faster healing and will offer adequate support to your body.
We often get questions regarding compression garments. In this article, we will discuss the importance of wearing your compression garment post-surgery and the benefits of garments.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is Specialist Plastic Surgeon with cosmetic clinics in Sydney and Wollongong NSW. He has performed hundreds of body contouring procedures in over 20 years of practice.
The use of a compression garment after any kind of surgical procedure is a crucial part of the recovery. Apart from accelerating the healing process, improving postoperative prognosis, reducing pain, and minimising swelling, they also help stabilise postoperative changes and make the recovery process smooth.
It plays a crucial role in the outcome of the surgery and helps prevent complications such as blood clot formation and poor circulation.
The general recommendation is to wear compression garments after the following surgeries: tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, body lift procedures, arm lift, breast surgeries (reduction, breast lift, and augmentation), liposuction, facelift, and neck lift.
Following are some of the benefits of wearing a compression garment post-surgery:
A compression garment will help reduce extreme bruising after any kind of plastic surgery. Any kind of surgical process will cause some level of disruption to the blood vessels which leads to bruising around the surgical site. The post-operative garments will decrease bruising by preventing blood cells from migrating toward the skin.
The swelling post-surgery is caused by fluid build-up in the tissues of the affected region. By wearing a compression garment, the swelling can be reduced greatly. This is due to the fact that the compression garment puts pressure on the affected area and thereby minimises swelling.
The compression garments are designed to hold the skin tightly which accelerates the process of healing. Moreover, they offer adequate support to hold your skin in place, thereby preventing lumps and sagging of skin.
Limited mobility post the surgery can cause improper blood circulation which sometimes leads to the formation of blood clots. These clots are quite dangerous and can prove to be fatal. Wearing a compression garment post-surgery will lead to effective blood circulation and minimise the risk of blood clot formation. Proper circulation helps with wounds healing and reduces the chance of infections.
A compression garment can minimise swelling, promote circulation, and accelerate the recovery process. Once the inflammation is reduced, you might experience less pain. Moreover, the even pressure on the affected site can minimise pain and help you stay comfortable through the recovery phase.
Your surgical procedure is performed to help you achieve the desired contour. Compression garments play an important role in maintaining the changes and help you achieve an optimal outcome. The use of compression garments is vital for achieving good results.
While choosing the right compression garment is of critical importance, understanding the timeline for wearing one is equally critical. Below is the information that will come in handy for your recovery time frame:
The first stage of recovery typically lasts around four weeks post-surgery. And this is the time to wear first stage compression garments. During this timeframe, you will be required to wear a compression garment 24/7 and only take it off when showering. Good quality garments are adjustable and are made with comfortable material that reduces friction and offers comfort. The ultimate goal of first stage garments is to reduce the swelling and bruising.
Second stage garments are required to be worn when the initial swelling has subsided. This time period typically occurs four weeks after the surgery and Dr Hunt recommends wearing second stage garments for 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the type of surgery. These garments are way more comfortable as compared to the first stage ones. You won’t be required to wear these garments 24/7 and you can take them off at night.
You will start to see the results of the surgery at this stage. The post-operative swelling significantly subsides within three months. Dr Hunt might recommend wearing third stage compression garments if your swelling hasn’t subsided by now.
It is very important to select a high-quality garment after having a thorough discussion with Dr Hunt. The right garment can make the recovery process easier, minimise discomfort, and prevent all sorts of complications. Patients are required to use a compression garment for a minimum of six weeks, following major surgery. In the case of smaller procedures, wearing them for four weeks is enough.
Regardless of the type of surgery, it is important to select the one which is comfortable to wear. Make sure that your compression garment is made with high-quality material that has antibacterial properties. This prevents any kind of bacterial growth on the skin and speeds up the recovery.
Make sure that the material is breathable and can keep the treatment site dry. You don’t want the treated area to be covered with sweat. The garment needs to be stretchable and fit snugly on the treated part of your body. The moisture-wicking properties of the garment keep your skin dry, prevent the spread of bacteria and offer optimum comfort while eliminating any kind of odour. Look out for seamless designs as they prevent any kind of skin irritation. Your compression garment needs to have a zipper, and eye closure as it enables you to get in and out of the compression garment with ease, preventing friction and straining.
Swelling is your body’s natural response to any kind of trauma caused to the tissues during a surgical procedure. Most of the swelling starts to subside by week two, provided you are following all the instructions given by Dr Hunt. While wearing a compression garment is one of the very important aspects of reducing swelling, here are a few additional aspects to keep in mind:
Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding compression garments:
Stage one garments are supposed to be worn immediately after surgery. They help prevent fluid accumulation along with post-operative bruising. These garments cause the excess fluid to drain away easily. They generally have zippers, hooks and eyes and minimise friction. Based on the nature of your surgery, these garments are needed to be worn for 2 to 4 weeks after the surgery.
Stage two garments are worn during the second phase of recovery. They are to be worn 2 to 4 weeks after the surgery and must be worn for at least four weeks. The second stage garments offer support to the newly contoured body and do not have zippers or eyes and can be easily worn underneath the clothes.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing cosmetic and plastic surgery in Sydney.
Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is optimal for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and, through his guidance, can achieve good results.
Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has given thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia the aesthetic results they desire.
Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.
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