We already discussed what are the benefits of wearing a compression garment after surgery. Now, we will dive in a bit more to see what are the various stages in wearing compression garments and what are the most frequently asked questions.
Timeline stages of wearing a compression garment
The timeline of wearing a compression garment can be divided in three different stages
First stage
The first stage of wearing your compression garment lasts about four weeks after your surgical procedure. During this stage, you should wear the garment at all times. Of course you can take it off before taking a shower or a bath, but make sure that you put it back on immediately after. Compression garments worn during the first stage reduce the swelling and bruising after surgery and have hooks and eyes that provide additional comfort.
Second stage
After four weeks of post-surgery your body won’t create so much fluid around the surgical site so you can start wearing different type of garments. Unlike the first stage, second stage garments don’t have zippers or eyes which makes them even more comfortable to wear under your clothes. Second stage garments are usually worn between 2 and 8 weeks but you don’t have to wear them all the time.
Third stage
By the time you reach the third stage of your post-operative recover, the new body contour is noticeably visible. The swelling should have subsided during the past three months, but in case it didn’t, you should keep wearing compression garments until it does.
Frequently Asked Questions about compression garment
What do compression garments do?
- They reduce the pain and swelling after surgery
- Speed up the recovery process and prevent skin bruising
- Help maintain the newly defined body contours and improve the results of surgery
- Some high-end garments even absorb excess sweat and prevent infections
Can you sleep without your garments?
- During the first stage of post-op recovery, it is highly recommended that you wear compression garments all the time, even during sleeping.
- Compression garments should be removed ONLY during showering/bathing
- Once the first stage is over (in about 4 week) patients can remove the garments when sleeping
- If the garments are comfortable, you can wear them even for longer than 4 weeks
What are Stage 1 and Stage 2 garments?
Stage 1 garments:
- Are worn in the first few weeks after surgery
- Their primary goal is to reduce swelling and post-op bruising
- Stage 1 garments make draining excess fluids easier
- They have zippers, hooks or eyes which makes them more comfortable
Stage 2 garments:
- Are worn in the second stage of the post-op healing process
- Their primary goal is to keep and maintain the body contouring results
- Can be work up to 8 weeks
How tight should the compression garment be?
There’s no definitive answer for this question. The compression garment should be tight enough to provide support to the surgical area, but also not too tight and cause discomfort. They should fit snugly and apply enough pressure. Too much pressure can actually do more harm than good.
Wearing compression garments after a surgical procedure is essential, if you want to have good results and a fast recovery. Make sure that you follow your doctor’s advice and if you notice any unusual changes or discomfort, contact your surgeon.
