Compression Garments after Body lift

Posted on November 21, 2023by Dr Carmen Munteanu FRACS (Plas)

Why Wear Compression Garments after a Body lift

In the period following a body lift procedure, ensuring a smooth and optimal recovery involves several important steps, one of which is the proper use of compression garments. You might find yourself wondering what exactly compression garments are and what role they play in your recovery journey. Understanding the functionality and benefits of these garments can be a true game-changer in achieving the results you desire, while aiding in a more comfortable and secure healing process.

As you explore the details of body lift surgery, having a seasoned professional to guide you can be a significant advantage. Dr Carmen Munteanu MD. FRACS (Plas) regularly performs different body contouring procedures, including body lift surgery.

Download Dr Carmen’s Guide to Excess Skin Reduction Surgery

Benefits of Wearing Compression Garments after a Body lift Surgery

Following a body lift procedure, your body enters a delicate phase of healing and adjustment. During this sensitive period, it is paramount to support your body in every possible way to foster smooth and effective healing. This is where compression garments step in, ready to assist you in navigating the recovery path with utmost care and efficiency.

Supporting Your Healing Process

In the aftermath of a body lift procedure, every effort you make counts significantly towards nurturing your body as it heals. It is essential to understand the pivotal role compression garments play during this critical phase.

Keeping Surgical Areas Secure

Compression garments act like a gentle, firm hug to your body, holding surgical areas secure and reducing the risk of complications such as:

Infection: By offering a barrier between your wounds and external factors, it reduces the likelihood of infection
Fluid Accumulation: They help in reducing the chance of fluid accumulation, which can cause discomfort and prolong the healing process
Scar Appearance: Regular use can potentially reduce the severity of scar appearance by keeping the skin tight and promoting proper healing

Encouraging Blood Circulation

The role of compression garments in promoting better blood circulation cannot be understated. Here’s how they facilitate quicker healing:

Reducing Swelling: Enhanced blood circulation helps in reducing swelling more rapidly
Faster Recovery: Better circulation means nutrients and oxygen are effectively transported to the healing areas, encouraging faster recovery
Comfort: Improved circulation can also alleviate discomfort, making the healing process smoother

Offering Support to Your Muscles

After a body lift procedure, your muscles need all the support they can get to recover optimally. Here’s how compression garments assist:

Stability: Providing a stable support to your muscles, helping you move with more confidence during your recovery period
Reduced Muscle Fatigue: By offering support, these garments can reduce muscle fatigue, allowing you to be more active during the day
Comfort: Having a support system for your muscles can enhance your comfort levels substantially during the recovery period

Reducing Swelling and Bruising

After a body lift procedure, it’s completely normal for your body to exhibit signs of swelling and bruising. It’s a part of the healing response that showcases your body is working to repair itself.

Applying Even Pressure on the Surgical Areas

Wearing compression garments has the benefit of applying uniform pressure across the surgical sites, which can be instrumental in reducing swelling. Here are the specifics of how this works:

Continuous Support: Providing a constant hold to steady the fluctuating swelling that occurs in the initial period post-surgery
Reducing Fluid Build-Up: By applying consistent pressure, it helps in preventing fluid from accumulating in the surgical areas, promoting a smoother healing process
Comfort: The even pressure can bring a soothing relief to swollen areas, offering a level of comfort that is quite necessary during the initial healing phase

Helping in Reducing Fluid Retention

Fluid retention is a common phenomenon post-surgery.

Promotes Lymphatic Drainage: Assists in encouraging the flow of lymphatic fluids, thus helping in reducing fluid retention

Preventing Seroma: Wearing these garments can prevent the occurrence of seroma, a condition where serous fluid accumulates in the body pockets
Speedier Recovery: By reducing fluid retention, it enables a faster recovery by preventing complications that arise due to fluid accumulation

Minimising Movements to Reduce Bruises

Keeping movements to a minimum is vital in reducing bruises post-surgery. Here’s how compression garments aid in this:

Stability: Offers a stable support to your body, helping to lessen the movements and thus reducing the chances of bruising
Protection: Acts as a protective shield, reducing the impact and severity of bruises should you accidentally bump into something
Healing Enhancement: Less bruising means fewer setbacks in your recovery timeline, aiding in a smoother healing trajectory

Contouring and Shaping

Another benefit that these garments offer is assistance in shaping and contouring the body post-surgery. They:

Help in evenly distributing the skin, avoiding any lumps or irregularities
Aid in achieving a smoother skin appearance
Encourage the skin to adhere to the new contours of your body

Choosing the Right Compression Garments

Entering the recovery phase post-body lift, selecting the right compression garments can significantly influence your comfort and recovery speed. Here is what you should keep in mind to make an informed choice that caters to your needs.

Material Considerations

The material of the compression garments is fundamental to its function and comfort. Here are things to keep in mind while choosing the right material:

Breathability: Ensure the fabric allows your skin to breathe, helping you avoid irritation and rashes
Stretch: Opt for materials that offer a good stretch to comfortably fit the contours of your body
Durability: Consider garments made from durable materials to withstand the wear and tear of daily use

Getting the Right Fit

Finding a garment that fits you well can be pivotal in your recovery journey. Here’s how to ensure a good fit:

Consult Your Plastic Surgeon: Dr Carmen can provide recommendations or measurements for your garments
Try Them On: If possible, try the garments on before you buy them to ensure they fit well without being too tight or loose
Adjustability: Look for garments that offer adjustable features such as Velcro or zippers to customise the fit as your body changes during the recovery process

Proper Use of Compression Garments

Learning how to wear compression garments correctly can make all the difference. Here’s what you should know:

Layering: Learn to layer the garments correctly, starting with the most snug-fitting layer first
Alignment: Ensure that the garments are aligned correctly to support the surgical areas adequately
Time Duration: Adhere to the recommended time frame advised by your plastic surgeon for wearing these garments

Dos and Don’ts

Navigating the recovery period post-body lift requires a careful adherence to a set of dos and don’ts, especially when it comes to using compression garments. Being aware of these aspects can genuinely support a quicker and safer recovery process.

DO: Wear Them Consistently

Wearing your compression garments consistently as per the advice can lead to a range of benefits. Here we outline why this is such an important “do”:

Maintaining Pressure: The garments are designed to maintain a consistent level of pressure on the surgical sites to aid in the healing process
Reduces Swelling: Consistent wear can significantly reduce swelling by encouraging good blood circulation and decreasing fluid retention
Support to Muscles: It provides an ongoing support to muscles, helping in reducing discomfort and aiding a smoother recovery
Better Outcome: Regular use of the garments can potentially lead to a better final outcome, aiding the body in healing in the desired shape

DON’T: Wear Them Too Tight

While it is vital to wear your compression garments, wearing them too tight can be counterproductive as it can lead to:

Restriction of Blood Flow: Overly tight garments can restrict blood flow, which is essential for healing
Nerve Compression: There is a risk of nerve compression which can lead to numbness and other complications
Increased Discomfort: Wearing them too tight can increase discomfort, adding to the stress during the recovery period
Risk of Skin Issues: Too tight garments can lead to skin issues such as chafing and irritation, which you certainly want to avoid

Additional Tips

To further assist you in your recovery journey, here are some more dos and don’ts to consider:

DO: Clean them Regularly: To maintain hygiene and avoid infections, ensure to clean the garments regularly according to the care instructions
DON’T: Ignore any Discomfort: If you experience any discomfort or unusual symptoms, don’t ignore them. Reach out to your plastic surgeon for advice
DO: Have Spare Garments: It’s beneficial to have a spare set of garments to use while the other is being washed
DON’T: Rush the Process: Remember that recovery is a gradual process. Don’t rush by removing the garments prematurely without your plastic surgeon’s approval

Taking Care of Your Compression Garments

To ensure that your compression garments serve you well throughout your recovery, taking proper care of them is essential.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Your compression garments will be a close companion in the weeks following your body lift. Ensuring they are clean and well-maintained is necessary for a comfortable and safe recovery.

Regular Washing: Wash the garments regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent infections
Gentle Detergents: Use gentle, hypoallergenic detergents to avoid skin irritation
Air Dry: Allow the garments to air dry to maintain their elasticity and shape

When to Replace Them

Over time, compression garments may lose their effectiveness and require replacement. Knowing when to replace them is vital to your recovery process:

Loss of Elasticity: When the garments lose their firmness and don’t offer the same level of compression, it’s time to replace them
Damage: If you notice holes, tears, or other forms of damage, get a new pair to ensure continued support

FAQs about Compression Garments after Body lift

What exactly are compression garments?

Compression garments are specially designed pieces of clothing that apply a certain amount of pressure to the specific areas of the body where surgery was performed. They are generally made from a blend of fabrics that allow for stretch and comfort, facilitating a smoother and safer healing process.

How long do I need to wear compression garments after a body lift?

The duration for wearing compression garments can vary based on individual circumstances and the specific details of your surgery. Generally, Dr Carmen recommends wearing them full time for a period of 2 to 6 weeks post-surgery, followed by a partial/intermittent wear schedule for the subsequent few weeks. Always follow the guidance of your plastic surgeon for the best results.

Can I remove the compression garment for showering or any other activity?

Yes, you can remove the compression garments for showering, washing them, or during physical therapy sessions, if advised by your surgeon. However, it is generally recommended to wear them as consistently as possible to reap the full benefits during the initial weeks of recovery.

Are there any side effects of wearing compression garments?

While compression garments are instrumental in aiding the healing process, wearing them too tight can lead to issues such as restricted blood flow, nerve compression, and skin irritations. Following the guidelines provided by your plastic surgeon and ensuring a proper fit can mitigate these risks.

Where can I purchase the right compression garment for my needs?

Dr Carmen will be the best person to guide you on where to purchase the appropriate compression garments. She might suggest specific brands or stores that specialise in medical-grade garments to ensure you get the right product for your needs. It’s always recommended to opt for high-quality garments to support your healing process optimally.

Medical References about Compression Garments

Compression Garments 101 – NCBI
Everything You Need to Know About Postsurgical Compression Garments – Realself News
Compression Therapy – Cleveland Clinic
What are the Types of Elastic Compression Garments? – News Medical

Compression Garments after Body lift

Why Wear Compression Garments after a Body lift

Download Dr Carmen’s Guide to Excess Skin Reduction Surgery