Compression Garments

What is everyone using for their CG's? I'm 2 weeks out of a LBL and got the go ahead to switch to a Spanx type garment if I want.....I'm wondering if the Assest brand from Target will be enough?

I am suing Marena and my doc has asked me to use it from 6-8wks he doesnt believe non surgical compression is equal and will give you the same results, but I have also read alot of  mixed reviews on the wearing or not of compression garments.

My Dr is actually on the fence about compression garments....even the binder he sent me home from the hospital in he didn't have fastened tight....just snug. He told me I could go without it if I wanted but that a spanx type would help reducing the swelling. He doesn't see any big problem with some swelling....just part of the process. It's more of a "for my comfort" thing.

just wanted to clarify i meant to write using marena not suing marena. I have struggled with the garment because i am in surgical menopause and there are moments where it makes me so hot, I feel like I am going to kill someone. I do however put it on as often as possible and believe it makes sense that the skin would comrpess better if something was holding it tight then hanging. I feel it is more important for areas like thighs and arms where the skin hangs, how can it stick back on if the weight makes it hang. In Latin America we are big believers in compression, after pregnancy, for cellulite, surgery, etc. because it also helps the lymph system. Its going to be a personal decision but I figure why risk it, more doctors seem to believe in compression.

I posted this a while back and have it on my blog.....it's long but I hope you'll read it.

I've seen so many post questions about compression garments......why do we have to wear them, how long should we wear them.... etc etc.

I personally am a BIG believer in the benefits (even more so now than ever before).  I say this because I've experienced first hand how wearing the right garment can make a difference in healing.  I've worn compression garments after all of my procedures.  After my Tummy Tuck I got swollen in my legs and butt (oddly not much in the tummy).  I was sent home in a binder which I guess was helping with the tummy.  I put on a knee length compression garment I happened to have at home and could almost immediately see and feel the swelling in my legs going down.  I was feeling so much better within just a few days.  I noticed over time that if I did not wear the garment under my clothing I would get puffy by the end of the day.  I didn't like the puffy feeling or look so for the most part I wore the compression garment every day during the past 3 months of my tummy tuck recovery.  I'd even put the binder on top if I felt I needed extra compression around my tummy.  Throughout my entire tummy tuck recovery I've posted that I had little to no swelling and just felt great.

I just had the LBL....I was sent home in a compression garment.  I suspected it was not small enough and over the past 4 or 5 days have been getting more and more swollen.  I got to a point last night that I was SO uncomfortable I just cried!   I've had a number of procedures now and am fairly experience with this recovery stuff......I have never had swelling like this.  The only thing I can think of is that I'm not getting the amount of pressure I need to move the fluids out of my body and so I'm swelling.  PLUS it is my understanding that having the right amount of compression helps the tissue and skin to re-attach better/smoother so I want the pressure!  I don't want my new smooth thighs to heal bumpy I want them to stick together nice an smoothly so wearing a garment is easy for me.  Last night I decided to put a smaller garment ontop of the large one AND I wrapped the binder around my lower stomach/hip area.  At first I could hardly close the binder.....this morning I can pull it a little tighter so I do believe it is already starting to make a little bit of a difference.  I hope I did not wait too long to try this....I wish I had expressed this concern to my surgeon sooner...maybe...just maybe....I would not be so swollen right now.

I'm blabbing on about this because when you ask yourself why do I have to wear this stupid garment I say why not.  Why not wear something that is under your clothing, not in the way of your performance, not visible to others, if it will help with your final results and your recovery use it.

At least the garments have come a long way.....we don't have to wear one of these!!! www.corsetiere.net/Spirella/Corsets/Surgical.htm

Thank for letting me blab on....I'll get off my soap box now.....(and now I don't work for any garment company).

Hope you are having a great, issue free recovery!

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If you want to read some of the research I did a few months ago here are some of the medical reasons for wearing a compression garment you might find interesting....(all found on different websites)

From one website...

Suction drains are used in combination with external pressure from an elastic abdominal binder or girdle, in order to evacuate the fluid (serum and blood) that commonly accumulates between the tissue and the underside skin and fat after the procedure. By eliminating the fluid build-up helps the skin to re-attach to the abdominal wall.

Control of swelling starts with surgical planning.  The type of compression is important. Too much compression at a given point can stop blood flow and cause tissue death. Too little, and fluid accumulates. 

To control swelling, I only use medical grade compression garments that go from the rib cage to just above the knees, with shoulder straps to prevent creases. The compression is uniform so there is not too much pressure in any one site. The compression in the thighs prevents any fluid buildup in the upper thighs and legs. In addition, in areas where I have separated a lot of tissue I put some foam pads to apply gentle extra pressure and prevent seromas. The compression garments are left continuously  a month of wearing garments. It is important to wear the garment for this entire period so that you are compressed during both periods of fluid accumulation, the acute (immediately following surgery) and prolonged healing phases.

From another website...

A very important aspect of recovering from a tummy tuck that is often forgotten until the last minute is the compression garment. Even though it is usually considered last, this garment is instrumental in aiding in your recovery. Therefore, we are going to elaborate on what the compression garment is used for and why you should use a medical grade garment.

First, let discuss what the compression garment does. The garment provides a specific amount of pressure on your midsection, which supports the portion of your midsection that was operated on by limiting your movement.

Besides limiting movement, these garments also aid blood circulation. This improved circulation is very beneficial in aiding and speeding up the patients recovery.

The compression garments also apply pressure, which allows the body to rid itself of toxic fluid (i.e. anesthesia, etc.). Furthermore, the garments help the body to get used to its new contours.

Now that we have gone over the benefits of using a compression garment, we need to point out that it is very crucial that you only use medical grade quality compression garments. Believe it or not, people will try to get non medical grade garments just to save a few dollars.

From another website...

Post Operative Compression Garments are a vital part of the recovery process. A high quality, properly fitted post operative compression garment can aid in body contouring and skin retraction while helping to reduce swelling and flushing your body of potentially harmful fluids. Compression garments also are very important for your comfort. In addition to reducing swelling immediately after the procedure, the compression provided by the garment makes you more comfortable during the recovery process.

From another website...

Question: What is the purpose of the compression garment after a tummy tuck and lipo, and how long do I need to wear it?
 

"Compression garments serve several medical purposes including reducing swelling, reducing the risk of blood clots (hematomas) and reducing the risk that the treated area will not 'mold' into its proper position. Compression garments serve an aesthetic purpose, too, because swelling is visibly reduced when a compression garment is in place. Another added benefit—clothes will fit better, look better, and feel better."

What brand do you wear?

I've got a few different brands...they are all basically the same just sometimes I find one on sale. My favorites are Marena and Veronique.....Here are some links......

designveronique.com/cgi-bin/ic/dv2/855

marenagroup.com/store/entity/tabid/198/c-2-womens-body-suits .aspx

I just found this site ...have not tried their product yet but may order some for my next surgery   www.healingenhancements.com/girdles.aspx

Hope that helps....

I was fitted for my post-op compression garment the night before surgery when I met my surgeon for the operative markings. At my 2 week post LBL office visit, my surgeon said I could switch to a spanx but I told him I was scared to change over because it's a struggle to get the thing on and I didn't want to have wound seperation. His response was whenever I'm comfortable to go for it(did at week 3). Honestly, I felt more support with the spanx then the compression garment... to a fault! By the end of the day when the swelling was at its highest, I was so uncomfortable I'd change back in to the garment! At 4 weeks he said I just needed a good panty girdle to help with my swollen mons. The compression garment as well as the spanx didn't support me enough in that region. I'm at 5 weeks today, and I'm in a "Maidenform" panty girdle and it's perfect.

I had an arm  lift and my Dr, only had ace bandages, the worst,
 Not very many male patients. I bought some sleeves that were better from www.makemeheal.com 
But I just bought an Under-Armour shirt for summer and it is fantastic it doesn't bind under
the arms ( very painful with my arm lift) and it wicks away moisture. I bought them at the local sporting goods store.  

I ordered a stage 2 garment from marenagroup.com and I love it. As you know I had a thigh lift so I needed a garment that went past my knees. A lot really depends on how much swelling you have. You may be fine with a flexees type of garment that goes up to under your chest. They also have the waist nippers that are good for just the tummy area.  You can look at some of my older posts to see what I normally wear.  At 2 weeks out you are still healing and the compression is good to help your tissues reattach and heal properly plus keep the swelling down. I remember after my LBL I went to Kohls and spent over an hour in the dressing room trying on almost every garment in different sizes until I found one that felt right with just the right amount of support. I was moving slow so it took a while. What the other poster said about you not wanting it to be too much of a struggle to get on is right. Not fun. I knew as soon as I got it up to my thighs whether or not I was willing to put up a fight to get it on! LOL