Post-op garments are not an optional accessory after plastic surgery—they are a critical part of the healing process. At Cabbabe Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Samer Cabbabe routinely prescribes postoperative compression garments because they directly support tissue healing, comfort, and long-term surgical results.
Whether recovering from a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast surgery, or a Mommy Makeover, surgeon-recommended compression garments play a vital role in protecting the work performed during surgery and helping the body heal in a controlled, predictable way.
What Are Post-Op Compression Garments?
Post-op garments—including post-op bras and girdles—are medical-grade compression garments designed specifically for recovery after surgery. Unlike everyday shapewear, post-surgical garments deliver consistent, even pressure to treated areas without restricting circulation. They are engineered to support healing tissues, reduce swelling, and help the body adapt to its new contours as inflammation subsides.
Why Surgeons Rely on Compression After Surgery
Surgeons recommend postoperative compression garments because surgery temporarily disrupts the body’s normal tissue structure. Compression helps manage that disruption safely.
Key medical reasons surgeons rely on post-surgical garments include:
- Swelling reduction: Compression limits fluid accumulation by applying gentle, continuous pressure, helping swelling resolve more efficiently.
- Improved circulation: Proper compression supports healthy blood flow, which delivers oxygen and nutrients needed for healing.
- Tissue support and stabilization: Garments help hold repositioned tissues in place while the body heals, reducing strain on incisions.
- Reduced risk of fluid buildup: Compression lowers the likelihood of seromas by minimizing space where fluid can collect.
- Improved comfort during recovery: Stabilizing treated areas often reduces soreness and movement-related discomfort.
These benefits work together to support safer healing and more consistent outcomes.
The Role of Compression in Protecting Surgical Results
Surgical results are still forming in the weeks following a procedure. Compression garments help guide tissues as they settle into their new shape. Surgeons often see better contour smoothness, more even healing, and fewer complications in patients who follow their garment protocol closely. This is especially important after body contouring procedures where skin retraction and fat redistribution are part of the final result.
Post-Op Bras vs. Post-Surgical Girdles: How Each Supports Healing
The type of recovery garment prescribed depends on the procedure:
- Post-op bras are commonly used after breast surgery to support healing tissues, minimize swelling, and protect incisions.
- Post-surgical girdles are typically recommended after tummy tuck or liposuction to support the abdomen, flanks, or lower body.
Your surgeon will recommend a garment based on the procedure performed, areas treated, and your individual anatomy.
Choosing the Right Surgeon-Recommended Compression Garment
Not all recovery garments are created equal. A proper post-op garment should:
- Provide firm but comfortable compression
- Fit snugly without digging into the skin
- Be breathable and easy to adjust
- Allow room for swelling to change during healing
Dr. Cabbabe’s team provides guidance on garment selection to ensure patients are properly supported throughout recovery.
Why Following Your Surgeon’s Instructions Matters
Compression garments are only effective when worn as directed. Skipping wear or discontinuing too early can lead to prolonged swelling, uneven contouring, or delayed healing.
Following your surgeon’s post-op garment recommendations helps protect your investment in surgery and supports the safest, most predictable recovery possible.
To learn more about surgery preparation, recovery expectations, or to schedule a consultation, contact Cabbabe Plastic Surgery in St. Louis today.