Frequently Asked Questions

The success of any plastic surgery is reliant upon not only the skill of the surgeon, but also the quality of aftercare; compression therapy forms a large part of this process and is crucial for satisfactory healing. Wearing the correct garment post-operatively is proven to speed up the healing process and minimize swelling and bruising, as well as reducing pain. For this reason, compression garments are an important part of the surgery. Patients wearing compression garments after plastic surgery have been reported to have more satisfactory results.

Post-operative compression garments help to keep muscles in place after the procedure and eliminate swelling caused by possible accumulation of fluid. The right pressure and support is essential, so when looking for the correct garment, be sure to look out for all factors: the fit, comfort, shape, pressure and sizing chart. Patients are significantly less mobile after surgery. For this reason, LIPOELASTIC® compression garments offer different types of fastening to meet patients’ needs. All of our garments were designed upon the specific request of top specialists in their field. They are manufactured to make it easy to put on and wear; they can be worn throughout the entire recovery period without causing discomfort or interrupting any activity or daily living. We have been expertly manufacturing compression post-op garments for decades and are constantly developing and moving forward with new designs and innovations.

Why LIPOELASTIC®?

  • Handcrafted products
  • Certified materials
  • EU produced fabrics and components
  • Bespoke (made to measure) garments
  • Flat seam technology
  • Seamless heat-moulded cups

If you know what type of garments you are buying, search it at the LIPOELASTIC e-shop where you will find information on what areas to measure.

Then, measure required areas and find the right size in the size chart.

There are several points on the body which we use as base points for the measurement of post-surgery garments (see diagram).

Tips for Proper Measurement

  • Before you start, remove all your clothes except for underwear so that the measurement is not distorted – it is the only way to get the most accurate results. Also, it is important to stand upright, have a loose belly and breathe naturally.
  • When the measurements are taken, the measuring tape must be in a horizontal position. The tape must not point downwards or upwards so as not to distort the measurements.
  • When taking measurements, do not tighten the tape around your body, it must touch the body, but must not be too tight or too loose.
  • Write all measurements on paper and re-measure again for accuracy.

Please, measure yourself couple of times to be sure of your sizing in each body area. Take note of your measurements pre-surgery as this can be referred to later, to check the healing progress and to indicate where the post-surgery Oedema is moving to.

Do you fall in between sizes?

For most women, hips are the widest body part. If your hips fall into a higher size category than your waist, you should always choose the size that is applicable to your hips. If on the other hand, your hip measurements fall into a smaller size than your waist measurement (prior to a surgery), then you would go down a size in the waist to reflect the hip measurements. **This only applies if there is a one size difference between the waist and hips. If your waist is more than one confection size bigger than your hips or if your measurements range across several different sizes, please contact us for assistance prior to making a purchase. Please consult the sizing charts if in any doubt. Remember, we are always available to help via a telephone or online help tab.

Bear in mind that a compression is a journey, not a destination. All of our garments have a hook and eye adjustment option allowing for reduction in swelling as your journey endures. It is very possible, that you may need to move to a second stage garment or smaller size garment throughout the aftercare to ensure that the surgical site continues to be compressed correctly at each stage of recovery.

HOW TO MEASURE FEMALE

LIPOELASTIC products are medically sized. We strongly recommend measuring yourself prior to buying any compression garments. This conversion table should provide you with some helpful guidance, but under no circumstances should it replace correct measurements being taken. The most important parameters are hips.

HOW TO MEASURE MALE

LIPOELASTIC products are medically sized. We strongly recommend measuring yourself prior to buying any compression garments. This conversion table should provide you with some helpful guidance, but under no circumstances should it replace correct measurements being taken. The most important parameters are hips.

BICEPS

Measure around the arm at the fullest part of the biceps.

BREAST AND CHEST

Measure around the fullest part of the bust/chest area while wearing usual undergarments.

UNDER BREAST

Measure around the chest circumference directly under the breast.

WAIST

Measure around the smallest part of the waistline.

HIP AREA

Stand with both feet together and measure around the fullest part of the hip area.

Every surgery has unique requirements. However, to achieve great results, surgeons typically advise patients to wear compression 24/7 for the first 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the procedure and extent of the surgery. It’s okay to take the garment off to shower, but the more you wear compression during your initial recovery, the more effective it will be for the healing process. After this first phase, expect to wear compression at night for several more weeks to promote healing and protect your scars as you sleep.

100% of patients who use post-surgery garments return back to everyday activities faster than those who do not use the under garments after the surgery.

Always check with your healthcare provider for specific post-op care advice.

After your procedure, you will be required to wear your compression day and night for some period of time. For hygienic reasons, you should have one garment to wear while the other is being washed. Compression garments should only be air dried, so it's important to have something to change into during that time.

Sometimes patients think that the garment should be as tight as possible. But that is not true. The goal is to support your body without putting excess pressure on the area that is healing. Gentle pressure is good. However, you do not want it to be so tight that your limbs are falling asleep!

Circulation is important to recovery. Ideally, it should fit snugly and comfortably. A good rule of thumb is that you should just be able to slide your hand under it without strain. Wearing a binder or compression garment too tight can also cause it to roll down. The garment should lay smooth and flat across your skin. Doing so will prevent problems with healing, such as undesirable fluid collection.

If you are not sure if your compression garment is too tight or loose, speak to your surgeon. They may suggest adjusting the tightness. Wearing a compression garment too tight can cause more harm than good.

Graduated compression means that the garment exerts the greatest degree of compression at the ankle, with the level of compression gradually decreasing up the garment. The pressure gradient ensures that blood flows upward toward the heart instead of refluxing downward to the foot or laterally into the superficial veins. All our garments feature Class II medical-grade compression. (20-30mmhg)

Breasts that have had implants inserted need special compression care. Post-operative compression bras significantly minimize swelling and bruising after the procedure. They help speed up the healing process, allowing you to get back to your daily routine faster. They also help reduce the pain and risk of infections.

Compression bras are also necessary as they help shape and stabilize your breast implants. They prevent asymmetry in your breasts from occurring after augmentation. Finally, postoperative compression bras help keep the development of keloid scars to a minimum. This cannot be achieved with just any sports bra.

Yes, typically you will need to wear your post-operative compression garment to bed for at least the first three to four weeks. For major procedures likes tummy tucks and body lifts, you will need to wear it full time for four weeks, including when you sleep. You can take the garment off to go to sleep on weeks 5-6.

There is no harm in wearing the compression garment longer or more often than recommended (including at bedtime). The length of time you will need to wear a post-operative compression garment or bra may vary; always follow your surgeon's instructions.

Our products meet stringent regulatory requirements set by Health Canada and the FDA. This means our garments undergo rigorous testing and comply with the highest standards for medical devices, providing you with peace of mind regarding their safety and effectiveness.

You can count on reimbursement from most insurance providers when prescribed 20-30 mmHg compression, making our products accessible and affordable.

Our dedicated team is here to guide you through product selection and insurance reimbursement. Simply contact us to request a detailed invoice for insurance claims.

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