Surgical Compression Garments

Why do you need compression garments after surgery?

Compression garments are an important part of the recovery process from many surgical procedures. They serve the following purposes:

1. Minimize Postoperative Swelling

After surgeries, edema fluids often collect in the tissues of the treated regions, leading to tissue edema or swelling. Compression garments apply consistent pressure on the treatment areas to push the fluids back into the lymphatic vessels and veins, preventing fluid accumulation in your tissues, which, in turn, minimizes postoperative swelling.

2. Prevent Seromas

Seromas are clear fluids that accumulate in the empty spaces in your body after the surgery, leading to pockets of fluids that must be drained with needles. However, compression garments prevent these pockets of fluids from building up, so there’s no need for drainage. It saves you from considerable discomfort.

3. Heal Scars Faster

The constant application of pressure on scars helps with the healing process and their eventual appearance. As scars form around incision areas, compression garments organize collagen fibers to soften the scars, making them less prominent. As such, compression garments improve your final outlook.

4. Prevent Bruising

Surgeries often lead to post-treatment bruising due to the disruption of blood cells that eventually collect around the epidermis, i.e., the uppermost layer of the skin. Compression garments prevent the blood cells from accumulating around your skin tissues, improving your overall cosmetic appearance.

5. Reduce Infections

You must be wary of infections after the surgery. The surgeon will provide antibiotics to prevent infections, but you can never be too careful. Infections usually occur due to open wounds that may get contaminated. However, compression garments keep the wounds away from environmental contaminants, reducing the risk of infections.