Film School Article
Elastic Compression After Liposuction
If you are considering liposuction, your plastic surgeon will have some specific requirements for you. One of them is to wear a compression garment after the surgery. Most generally, they are made out of lycra and are similar to a girdle.
After the procedure of liposuction, fluid may form beneath the skin. This accumulation of fluid can slow down the healing process and can prevent fresh oxygen from reaching the area. It can cause cell and tissue damage.
The swelling and accumulation of fluid can cause edema. This can be dangerous as it could cause strokes and serious infections. It can also compromise the immune system and cause hematomas and other complications. It adds stress to the heart so that it has to work harder to compensate.
To counteract this, physicians and plastic surgeons recommend patients wear elastic garments for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. They are very similar to a girdle and come with Velcro straps.
These garments put pressure on the skin to squeeze the excess fluid out. They also reduce bleeding and swelling. The pressure from the garment allows the blood to drain and not build up in the body. Most of the garments are made from Lycra or elastic cloth.
The compression garments also help with sagging skin. The garments help shrink and tighten the skin around the area. It will not completely correct the problem, but it will help. Compression garments are highly recommended to assist with healing and to prevent damage to the skin.
However too much pressure can cause an adverse reaction such as tissue damage and too little compression can cause the blood to flow freely and will build up an accumulation. So, you need to consult your physician or plastic surgeon regarding the proper pressure needed when wearing the garment.
Your plastic surgeon may recommend a certain type of compression garment as they very widely. Some people believe a tight aerobics outfit such as shorts or a leotard will work however, they are designed to be worn for long periods of time.
You may want to consult your plastic surgeon as to recommendations. Some compression garments are designed for specific procedures and may feature flat stitching, are seamless and have labels on the outside to promote optimum comfort. The girdles have a crotch that is open so that you do not have to take it off to go to the bathroom.
If you are considering this surgery, make sure you have enough information regarding the risks and the time involved to have the surgery and to recover. If you do some pre planning it will make all the difference in the world as to the success of your surgery and the length of recovery.
