One of the things that make recovery after Cosmetic Surgery procedures different is that we frequently will put you in a compression garment. This is true for facial cosmetic surgery, breast surgery, and body contouring surgery.

We do this for a couple of reasons.

First, we are trying to minimize swelling. Swelling is universal after soft tissue surgery. In fact, it is a normal part of the healing process. By providing compression, be it with a chin strap, bra, girdle or wrap, we are trying to keep the swelling to a minimum. We don’t want the compression so tight that it cuts of circulation or is uncomforatble, just enough so that the garment or wrap is snug.

The second issue, particularly after Liposuction, is to aid in skin redraping and retraction. Skin has the capacity to ‘snap back’  and some compression can aid in this. Since I have yet to meet a patient who appreciates loose skin, the garments are truly a mandatory part of your recovery.

How long you will have to wear whatever we put you in depends on you. Your skin tone and elasticity and your age are the biggest factors. A woman who is 40, has had 3 babies and doesn’t have a stretch mark is less likely to have to wear the garment as long as a 40 year old with 3 kids and stretch marks all over her skin. Likewise, the 40 year old without stretchmarks is going to need to wear it longer than her 30 year old clone simply because of the age difference. Skin wise, 20 beats 30, 30 beats 40 and so on.

Lee Corbett, MD

www.CorbettCosmeticSurgery.com

502.721.0330

All posts on this blog are presented by Louisville Liposuction surgeon, Dr. Lee Corbett