Post-operative care often includes wearing special garments that are primarily created with materials that are conducive to your easy and speedy recovery. Many plastic surgery procedures warrant the use of such garments in order to not only ensure maximum comfort of the patient but also facilitate faster healing and minimal swelling. This is especially in the case of procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, or abdominoplasty. Here’s more about why compression garments are essential for post-operative care.

What are compression garments?

Compression garments are primarily made of elastic fabrics such as lycra or latex. In order to determine what the right size is for a patient, they should be measured before undergoing the procedure. Once the process of healing commences and the swelling comes down, their sizes automatically come down a notch and thus ensure proper compression. What are the various procedures that may require a compression garment? Certain plastic surgery procedures require the use of compression garments for better results. These include:

• Thigh Lift
• All liposuctions related treatments
• Mastectomy for Gynecomastia
• Tummy Tuck
• Circumferential Body Lift
• BBL
• Breast augmentation and breast lift surgeries

Why do I need to wear it post-surgery?

Plastic surgery patients are often advised to wear compression garments as part of their post-operative care so as to accelerate the process of healing. It is also a way of helping them deal with their discomfiture, and manage concerns like swelling and bruising. Moreover, many plastic surgeons advise this as they believe that compression garments have the ability to promote blood circulation and cutting down certain risks and complications such as blood clots.

How long should I wear the compression garment?

The duration for which you need to wear a compression garment depends on the type of surgery you have undergone as well as the recommendations of your surgeon. Most procedures, however, require you to wear the garment for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Moreover, they should be kept on at all times including when you sleep and can be removed only when you shower. Hence, it is suggested that you have two sets of these garments so that you can have one for change. Besides, you should also invest in good quality compression garments as they play a big role in the final outcome of your surgery.

Here are some of the advantages of wearing a compression garment after your surgery

Protects your incisions

A compression garment acts as an added layer of protection that helps in healing your incisions even when they are wrapped in surgical tape, gauze or bandages. It also helps keep the area protected from bacteria and provides additional padding in case there is an unexpected bump where the incision has been made.

Facilitates proper blood circulation

One of the biggest concerns and most dangerous risks after a plastic surgery procedure is the formation of blood clots. However, the use of compression garments helps improve blood circulation in your body and cuts down the risk of blood clots. Apart from this, they help bring down other complications such as inflammation, hemorrhage and post- op pain.

Maintains the contours

The compression garment helps apply pressure on the area that has been treated. This in turn goes on to ensure that your body contour heals along with the desired shape.

Reduces pain

The pressure that is applied by the compression garment goes on to reduce the pain or at least makes it bearable when you laugh, sneeze, or cough. There are several other benefits of this especially after a body contouring or body lift procedure, including:

• Reduction in swelling, fibrosis, fluid build-up, inflammation
• Reduction in bruising
• Less skin sagging
• Helps in flattening a scar
• Brings down post-operative discomfort
• Promotes better final results
• They are simple to use and care for
• They are comfortable to wear

What happens if you do not wear a compression garment?

If you do not wear a compression garment especially after undergoing a procedure such as liposuction, it will affect the desired result of your surgery. Compression garments help with contouring, water retention, inflammation, pain management, blood clot and overall healing. The garment will also aid in holding the tissue together while it is undergoing the process of healing.

How tight should the compression garment be?

The tightness of the garment should be such that it gives your body contouring and has enough compression that its cuts down water retention and inflammation.

If you are considering an elective body procedure and reside in Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island and surrounding areas of NYC, contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Nilay Shah.