Postoperative Compression & Support Garments (Plastic Surgery)

From breast augmentation to liposuction to face lifts, support garments are usually an out of pocket expense for many patients. Not many are made from the same cloth so to speak, either. Many are nothing more than slimming pantyhose ready to tear any moment. Fortunately, there are fabulous garments out there with padded zippers, run-stop fabrics, even in custom specifications -- moreover they don't come cheap. However, you do get what you pay for, so shop wisely.

Liposuction: Support garments used after liposuction can help decrease swelling and aide in general comfort. They can also promote proper tissue adherence after medium to large volume aspirations. However, not all surgeons will recommend compression garments for liposuction, so please ask your surgeon beforehand. I personally used a the Zippered Rubenesque High-Back Full-Body Girdle by Design Veronique for 6 weeks after my lipo. I have a small waist compared to my hips so I needed a specialty garment for "hour glass figures." Although wearing a garment can feel like a hindrance, it does feel like it becomes part of you and I personally felt it assisted in relieving discomfort and swelling during the healing process.
Breast Augmentation: Support garments used after breast augmentation can help decrease swelling and ease discomfort. Many breast augmentation patients will experience a throbbing sensation after their augmentation mammoplasty when not wearing a support garment and choose to keep their supportive bras on for at least 2 weeks. Not to mention, lack of proper support causes stretching of incision scars and internally. Proper support is essential to your end result! Even still, some patients may be required to wear a "strap" only which helps push the implants down into place. Other patients must use a strap AND a support garment and still others, no garment whatsoever. Please discuss this issue with your surgeon. I personally used a D'Andrea bra for many months after my last breast procedure (a breast augmentation with peri-areolar breast lift).
Breast Lift: Support garments are almost always utilized after breast lift surgery. This helps relieve suture tension, and can aide in reduction of swelling and pain. Many breast lift patients may experience a throbbing sensation after their mastopexy when not wearing a support garment and choose to keep their supportive bras on for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Increased tension on the new suture lines can also cause the scars to stretch, so a proper supportive bra should be worn until scar tissue maturation, which in truth may take up to a year. I personally used a D'Andrea bra for many months after my last breast procedure (a breast augmentation with peri-areolar breast lift).
Breast Reduction: Support garments or compression wraps are always utilized after breast reduction surgery. This helps relieve suture tension, and can aide in reduction of swelling and pain. Many breast lift patients may experience a throbbing sensation after their reduction mammoplasty when not wearing a support garment and choose to keep their supportive bras on for at least 6 weeks. Increased tension on the new suture lines can also cause the scars to stretch, so a proper, supportive bra should be worn until scar tissue maturation, which in truth may take up to a year.
Face Lift: Compression head wraps are used after face lift to aide in swelling reduction, as well as ease general discomfort. These compression wraps also aide in tissue adherence. They come in several designs and comfort is an absolute must. You get what you pay for so PLEASE consider this an important decision. You will be living in this compression wrap for many days and may be sleeping in it for several weeks. Many patients, and their surgeons, will want to "customize" a garment by cutting, so ASCERTAIN this is possible without product destruction (running, unraveling, etc.)
Facial Implants: Compression wraps are used after facial implants to aide in swelling and bruising reduction, as well as assist in general comfort. Most importantly, they assist in keeping newly placed implants in place by disallowing shifting and lessening swelling in the surrounding tissues. These compression wraps also aide in tissue adherence. They come in several designs and comfort is an absolute must. You get what you pay for so PLEASE consider this an important decision. You will be living in this compression wrap for many days and may be sleeping in it for several weeks.
Neck Lift: These compression garments assist in tissue adherence and swelling reduction. They also keep you from turning your head as rapidly as you might without one. This is very important. Comfort is a must with these garments so choose wisely and without cost being an issue. You get what you pay for so PLEASE consider this an important decision. You will be living in this compression wrap for many days and may be sleeping in it for several weeks.
Tummy Tuck: Binders are many times a given with abdominoplasty surgery. These support garments assist in tissue adherence and abdominal muscle support as well as swelling reduction. Good garments also aide in supporting the back -- which you will appreciate after the first day of sitting in the same position for hours on end. Many patients, and their surgeons, will want to customize a garment by cutting, so ASCERTAIN this is possible without product destruction (running, unraveling, etc.). This is important when drains are placed.
Labiaplasty: Support thongs and panties are beneficial in supporting the treatment area after this intimate surgery. Swelling reduction is a plus and can make life a lot more comfortable.
Otoplasty: Your surgeon may or may not call for a commercial support wrap with this ear surgery, so please check with him or her beforehand. This type of support garment reduces swelling and bruising and aides in general comfort as well as tissue adherence in some cases.

Price Range
Support Garments may cost anywhere from $15. for a cheap pair of tight, Lycra bike shorts to $300. for a high quality, full-body garment. Price depends upon the quality, garment type and if it is a custom product. Colors are usually white or off white, however more and more companies are offering beige and black color choices to their catalogs. Compare prices from your surgeon and from online companies. Also compare quality, the last thing you need is a garment ripping as soon as you go to pull it on after your first shower. Consider buying TWO -- one to wear while the other is being laundered.

Design Veronique
I personally recommend Design Veronique Garments because of the quality of the garment. I have had over 2000 recovery hours in these garments. I had used cheaper varieties for my first surgeries, I can honestly tell you there is a huge difference in quality. You don't have to worry about straps breaking, fabric ripping or running, seams coming unraveled and they are very comfortable. While they are more expensive than most brands, they are definitely worth it.

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