05/13/2026
After cosmetic surgery — especially procedures like liposuction, tummy tuck, BBL, arm lipo, chin lipo, or body contouring — compression garments, lipo foam, and boards are commonly used to help manage swelling and support healing.
Compression Garment
A post-op compression garment is a tight, supportive medical-style garment worn after surgery to apply gentle, even pressure to the treated area.
Common styles:
Fajas
Compression bodysuits
Abdominal binders
Chin straps
Arm or thigh compression sleeves
Benefits
Compression may help:
Reduce swelling and fluid buildup
Improve comfort and support
Help skin retract/smoothly adhere
Reduce fibrosis/hard areas
Improve contour appearance
Support circulation and lymphatic drainage
Minimize pressure on healing tissues
Many surgeons recommend wearing garments almost full-time during the early recovery period.
How Compression Usually Works
General timeline varies by surgeon, but commonly:
First few weeks: worn 23 hours/day
Removed briefly for showering
Later stages: lower compression or shorter wear time
Garments should feel:
Firm and supportive
NOT painfully tight
NOT cutting off circulation
NOT causing numbness, severe creasing, or skin discoloration
Too-tight compression can actually increase complications.
Lipo Foam
Lipo foam is a soft medical foam pad placed UNDER the compression garment.
Benefits of Lipo Foam
It helps:
Distribute compression more evenly
Reduce garment creases
Minimize skin indentations
Improve comfort
Help reduce fibrosis and uneven texture
Absorb drainage in early recovery
Foam is soft and flexible, making it useful during the earlier, more swollen stage.
How to Use Lipo Foam
Typically:
Place foam directly against the treated area
Put compression garment over it
Keep foam smooth without folds
Change/clean regularly
Common areas:
Abdomen
Flanks
Back
Arms
Chin/jawline
Lipo Boards (Ab Boards)
A lipo board (ab board) is firmer than foam. It’s designed to create flatter, more structured compression.
Benefits of Boards
Boards may help:
Create smoother compression
Prevent folds/wrinkles from garments
Reduce fluid pockets
Support flatter contour appearance
Help reduce fibrosis and uneven healing
They’re often used after abdominal lipo or tummy tuck recovery.
How to Use Boards
Usually:
Board goes over a camisole/foam or directly over treated area
Compression garment goes over board
Position should stay flat and centered
Remove if causing pain, breathing difficulty, or sharp pressure
Some people combine:
Foam underneath
Board on top
Then garment
Important Recovery Notes
Every surgeon has different protocols. Some procedures specifically require:
Special BBL garments (avoiding butt compression)
Stage 1 vs Stage 2 compression
Different timing for foam/boards
Clients should contact their surgeon if they notice:
Severe pain
Skin darkening
Open wounds
Shortness of breath
Fever
Sudden swelling asymmetry
