How to Choose the Right Compression Garment for Your Surgery

Choosing the right compression garment is an important part of your recovery journey, but with so many options, it can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate your options, so you feel confident and supported in your choice.

! Always follow your surgeon’s recommendation when selecting your post-surgery garment. They know your procedure, healing progress, and individual needs best.

1. Think About Your Surgery Type

The first step is to match your garment to the area of your surgery. Different procedures require different coverage.

Here are the most common body procedures in the UK and what patients typically wear afterward:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck):

choose from a range of abdominal garments that support the abdominal area and waist. There are also abdominal binders, which can be used as an extra layer of compression or during later stages of recovery if advised by your surgeon.

• Liposuction:

this procedure can target many areas of the body — abdomen, thighs, arms, or flanks. The right liposuction garment depends on where the procedure is performed. For example, after liposuction of the thighs, a longer style such as TD Variant may be recommended, as swelling can extend beyond the treated area. If liposuction is performed to address lipoedema-related symptoms, specialised compression garments can support postoperative comfort and stability.

• BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift):

styles with open or covered buttocks  such as VF body BBC are typically chosen to avoid compression in the area where fat has been transferred, while still offering firm support to the surrounding areas.

• Gynecomastia (male chest reduction):

following this procedure, male compression vests or shirts are often used to provide gentle and even pressure around the chest area, helping maintain comfort and support throughout recovery.

Tip: For extra comfort, many patients use foam inserts underneath their garments during early recovery.

2. Choose Your Closure and Fit

In the early days after surgery, comfort and practicality are usually the top priorities. Compression garments come with different types of fastening, and each has its own benefit depending on your stage of recovery and personal preference:

• Zipper (Comfort): a simple, no-fuss solution that makes dressing and undressing easy, especially when movement is limited right after surgery.
• Hook-and-eye (Variant): requires a little more time to fasten, but offers flexibility — it can expand or tighten by up to one clothing size, which patients often appreciate as swelling changes over time.
• Pull-on style: a minimalist option without any fastening, ideal for later stages of recovery when comfort and simplicity become the main priority.

3. Comfort, Fabric & Design Details

During recovery, comfort is everything. The right garment should feel supportive yet gentle on your skin — never restrictive. Here are a few features to look for when choosing:

• Medical-grade compression designed to provide consistent, controlled support suitable for postoperative use.
• Certified products that have been tested for skin safety and quality, ensuring long-term comfort and reliability.
• Soft, breathable materials that feel pleasant for long wear
• Flat seams to minimise skin irritation
• Adjustable straps for personalised comfort

Every LIPOELASTIC® compression garment carries OEKO-TEXT® certification, ensuring it meets recognised standards for skin safety.

4. How Many Garments Do You Need?

Most patients find it helpful to have at least two garments — one to wear while the other is being washed. Continuous support throughout recovery helps maintain comfort and stability.

! It’s very important to consult both the choice of your garment and the recommended length of wear with your surgeon, as every recovery and surgical procedure is different.

5. Aftercare Essentials:

Your recovery kit doesn’t end with the garment. A few small additions can make everyday care easier:

• Foam inserts – promote even pressure and comfort after liposuction.
• Silicone scar treatment – supports smooth, discreet scars once healed.
• LIPOELASTIC Collagen Drink – a food supplement formulated with marine collagen and essential nutrients to support skin health..*

*Contains marine collagen (3000 mg), vitamin C, zinc, copper, magnesium, iron, selenium, and hyaluronic acid.

Vitamin C supports normal collagen formation for skin, and zinc helps maintain normal skin.

Food supplement — not a substitute for a varied diet or healthy lifestyle.

Further Reading:

• Post-Surgery Swelling: What Patients Should Know
• Your Own Post-Surgery Kit: Essentials You Shouldn’t Skip
• What to Look for When Choosing Compression Garments — and Why Certification Matters