Protecting Your Investment: The Ultimate Guide to Post-Surgical Compression
In our treatment room, we work diligently together, using Manual Lymphatic Drainage to guide swelling out of your body and accelerate your healing. But I’m often asked, "What's the most important thing I can do to protect these results between my sessions?"
My answer is always the same: your compression garment.
I consider proper, medical-grade compression to be just as crucial as the surgery itself and the MLD that follows. It’s the 24/7 support system that holds, heals, and shapes your final result. Think of it as the second skin your surgeon didn’t give you, a silent, hardworking partner in your recovery.
Why Compression is Your Best Friend After Surgery
This isn't just about feeling "held in." A true medical-grade compression garment is an active tool in your healing journey.
It Manages Swelling and Fluid: After your MLD session clears out excess fluid, your compression garment provides constant, even pressure that prevents that fluid from immediately re-accumulating. This makes every single one of our treatments more effective and speeds up your overall recovery timeline.
It Supports Your Healing Tissues: Your tissues are incredibly delicate after surgery. A compression garment acts like a constant, supportive hug, holding everything securely in place. This minimises painful movements and strain, allowing your body to focus on healing.
It Shapes Your New Contours: This is a big one. Compression is essential for helping your skin retract and adhere smoothly to its new underlying shape. It dramatically reduces the risk of sagging, fluid pockets (seromas), or unevenness, ensuring the beautiful result your surgeon worked so hard to create.
It Minimises Bruising and Scarring: The steady pressure helps to reduce bleeding under the skin, which is what causes bruising. Over the long term, this same pressure can help your scars heal flatter and less noticeably.
Not All Garments Are Created Equal: My Trusted Recommendation
Over the years, I have seen and felt countless compression garments. I am incredibly particular about what I recommend because the fit, fabric, and level of medical-grade pressure are vital for your results and comfort. A poorly fitting garment can do more harm than good. One of my first jobs was selling plastic surgery so I became very familiar with the various garments, but also the importance of customer service when it comes to feeling supported when choosing your garment.
That’s why my trusted partner and the only supplier I recommend to my clients is Macom Medical.
Their garments are not fashion; they are medical tools. They are designed in collaboration with surgeons, using breathable, antibacterial, and latex-free fabrics. Their intelligent designs provide targeted compression exactly where you need it, often with easy-to-use hooks and adjustable straps so the garment can adapt to your body as your swelling subsides.
Because I believe so strongly in the quality of their products and want to make the best care accessible for you, the wonderful team at Macom have provided a special discount exclusively for The Hideout community.
Use code HIDEOUT15 at their checkout for 15% off your order.
Finding Your Perfect Fit: Examples by Procedure
Choosing the right garment is essential. Here are a few common examples:
For Tummy Tucks & Liposuction of the Abdomen/Flanks: You will typically need a high-waisted girdle or a full bodysuit. Look for styles with adjustable hook-and-eye closures, which are crucial for adapting the fit as your swelling reduces.
For BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift): This requires a highly specialised garment. It must provide compression to the waist, back, and thighs while having no compression over the buttocks to protect the delicate, newly transferred fat cells. Macom has specific BBL garments designed precisely for this purpose.
For Breast Augmentation, Lift, or Reduction: A proper surgical bra is non-negotiable. This is not a sports bra. Look for front-fastening designs for ease of wear, with no underwires. They are designed to provide gentle, even support and compression to minimise swelling and support the implants or reshaped tissue.
Your recovery is a three part harmony: your surgeon's incredible skill, dedicated MLD treatments, and your commitment to your aftercare. Your compression garment is the instrument you play every single day.
Invest in a high quality piece. It’s not just clothing; it’s a medical tool that is fundamental to protecting your investment and achieving the beautiful, comfortable outcome you deserve. If you need any help choosing the right one, you know where I am, and Macom are always happy to help.
