Is it Important to Wear My Compression Garment After Liposuction?
For any plastic surgery procedure, it’s important to follow post operative instructions to optimize your results. Although you’ll be excited to see your results, you’ll need to be sure and follow instructions as best as you can and, most importantly, be patient. One step Dr. Kayastha recommends is wearing a compression garment after your liposuction procedure. You may find that opinions on whether or not compression is required following liposuction tend to vary. Some surgeons feel it is necessary and helpful while others do not recommend it. Here are some reasons to be sure and wear your compression garment according to Dr. Kayastha’s instructions.
Reduce Swelling
Swelling is a natural response by your body whenever you sustain injury or undergo surgery, for example. It’s often caused by increased blood flow to the area, which carries white blood cells to help repair damage. Of course, this isn’t a bad thing! However, excessive and long-term swelling can be harmful to your body and greatly affect your results because it can damage the surrounding tissues. For this reason, it’s important to manage swelling during your recovery. A compression garment that fits well and is constructed for the right amount of compression can make it more difficult for uncontrolled swelling to occur while still allowing your body to properly heal. It can also reduce discomfort and sensitivity that comes with swelling.
Prevent Fluid Buildup
One thing that comes along with swelling is a buildup of fluid in the area where the fat was removed. Sometimes, this can be managed with drains that are placed at the incision sites to collect fluid. These buildups are called seromas and can be uncomfortable— they can also require a lot of time to go away on their own. One way to prevent these from occurring is to compress the treatment area and keep the ‘empty’ area closed where the fat previously was. This means no fluid can build up inside it. Additionally, a compression garment can help your body more quickly absorb fluids that build up during this time.
Improve Contours
Preventing fluid buildup can have another benefit that comes with wearing a compression garment. If fluid builds up or you allow the layer of skin to exist freely on top of the underlying tissues, it can be more difficult for your body to adhere the skin to the new contours created by liposuction. This can lead to wrinkling or unwanted appearance when the skin is allowed to ‘glide’ over the underlying tissues. If the layer of skin is held in place against the underlying tissues, it can allow your body to more quickly reattach it where it should be. This means you get the full effect of your intended results!
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Kayastha often recommends you wear a compression garment for around six weeks after your liposuction procedure so that you can recover successfully and effectively. To begin discussing your options with liposuction and other body contouring procedures, contact our Albany office by calling or filling out our online form.
Dr. Kayastha is a board certified plastic surgeon who serves Albany, NY and the entire Capital Region. Dr. Kayastha completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and graduated with distinction in all subjects. He then attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. During his time in Buffalo he also completed a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park. Following medical school Dr. Kayastha gained a much sought after position in the Michigan State-Grand Rapids integrated plastic surgery residency. After finishing residency training Dr. Kayastha completed a one year fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the Buncke Clinic in San Francisco. To round out his training before starting private practice Dr. Kayastha spent an additional 6 months learning from some of the best cosmetic surgeons in San Francisco. Dr. Kayastha is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.