Guidelines To Choosing The Best Compression Garment For Liposuction

                                  Image source: contourmd.com/

During the process of recovery, one of the most essential things is to wear a good compression garment. Evidently, it can keep swelling at bay and give you the best possible body shape. Hence, you are guaranteed optimal results. Only wearing the appropriate compression garment will assure you of this.

So why is wearing a compression garment really important, and how can you go for the best liposuction compression garment?

Why Is Wearing a Compression Garment Important?

Before your surgery, information will be passed across to you about the need to buy a compression garment that needs to be worn all through your recovery process. Placing an order for this can be frustrating in most cases, especially if you are still puzzled on why you are really required to get one.

Liposuction eliminates the subcutaneous fat which lies in the middle of the skin and muscle. When this is done, there will be an accumulation of fluid in the vacant space. ContourMD compression garments help to exert pressure on the area that the liposuction was done so that instead of the fluid building up, it disperses.

What Are The Things To Look For In A Compression Garment?

If this is your first time having to wear a compression garment, you might be overwhelmed by the choices you have to make. It may not be easy to know when the items you are considering are appropriate or not.

Before you order a compression garment, you should be well informed by your patient consultant about the kind of garment you should go for. Usually, this varies between different individuals and according to the part of the body on which the liposuction will be done. If you are getting liposuction in more than one area, you may need several compression garments.

As you shop for the most ideal garment, keep in mind the following things:

Colour: you may discover that fluid drainage continues after the liposuction. This is usually rather obvious on light-colored compression garments. Though this should not be too much of a concern, some people worry about it. Center for Surgery also advises that after the surgery, loose and dark-colored clothing should be worn to prevent the visibility of any fluids. Washable: because the garment may likely come in contact with body fluids, it's definitely a good idea to be sure that you are choosing a machine washable garment.

Fit: a compression garment you have just bought newly should be tight and apply a great deal of pressure. If the garment does not apply sufficient pressure, you are at risk of experiencing fluid buildup and greater swelling. You should feel like you're wearing tight athletic wear such as a sports bra when wearing the compression garment. Nevertheless, the garment should not be too tight. You know that the garment is too tight when you feel a tingly sensation or you can feel your circulation being obstructed.

Comfort: following your liposuction, you will have to keep the compression garment on at all times (excluding your bathing times). Hence, it is important that you go for a comfortable garment. Though you will need the garment to exert a lot of pressure, you wouldn't want to be in any physical pain or discomfort from wearing it. You would also want the clips and zips to be within easy reach so that you can get the garment on and off easily.

Fabric: ensure that the compression garment you go for is made out of the correct fabric. In general, you should go for the ones made out of nylon or spandex, as these fabrics are breathable and durable. Cotton and other natural fabrics are not a good option because you want a fabric that will prevent moisture from reaching your skin. This way, you can prevent skin irritation. Most people already know what they are allergic to, but if you have any concerns, it is advised that you don't go for rubber or latex fabrics as these can trigger allergic reactions.

We advise that you consult with a medical professional or a trained certified fitter when finding the best therapeutic compression garment. They will evaluate the best therapeutic path using several factors such as mobility, age, shape, and size of your limb, skin-related issues or wounds, and cost. The information below can get you acquainted with this evaluation process and help you choose the best garment to keep you on the move.

Off-the-shelf or Custom Garments

A compression garment specialist will often recommend a custom garment in any of the following cases:

• You have an unequal limb, which will make garments fit loosely. Swelling will not be properly contained in the gap area and this will lead to a ballooning effect.
• Your limb size is not within the off-the-shelf category.
• In such situations as extreme swelling or lymphedema, a custom garment with a higher level of containment (stiffness) will be needed to manage limb swelling.

If you will require custom garments, plan ahead of time to measure and receive the garments. 

Kinds of Compression Garments

You may wonder what kinds of compression garments are out there and why there are even several kinds. Here's what you should know:

There are two different production methods for knitting compression garments.

The seamless circular knit garments are less dense and less stiff than the flat knit. They are available in standard sizes (off-the-shelf) or you can get a custom-made one from ContourMD. The circular-knit material is quite elastic which is great for the moderate swelling that occurs in the early to mid-stages of lymphedema. Circular knit garments are typically used for people who have normal limb shapes and low circulation or lymphedema. It has other features like:

• Comfort
• Mild to average containment
• Full aesthetics - comes in different kinds of prints, colors, and fabrics.
• Not produced using natural rubber (latex-free)

Flat knit garments are seamed and provide maximum therapeutic results. They are strictly custom-made and can accommodate different shapes and sizes. Stiffer fabric is used and for some fabrics, there is a micro-massage weave, which is more appropriate for areas with serious swelling. Flat knit garments come with an excellent level of compression and also provide the maximum control that comes with an elastic compression garment. They have other features like:

• Advanced aesthetics - now comes in different colors
• The knit maintains a constant density all through the entire garment (including areas with larger circumferences, which significantly helps to manage the swelling)
• The compression garment is stiffer, which helps in maintaining the gap where the skin folds and has a lesser chance of cutting into the skin.
• Durable for vigorous use and wear.
• Not produced from natural rubber (latex-free)