Pressure Garment Use Protocol After Surgery

1. Purpose of Pressure Garment

• Controls post-operative swelling (edema).

• Helps skin re-drape smoothly over the treated area.

• Reduces tension on incisions → smoother scar healing.

• Minimizes seroma formation.

• Provides uniform compression and comfort during recovery.

2. When to Start Wearing

• Start 24–48 hours after surgery, once the first dressing change is done by the clinic.

• If drains are placed, start compression immediately after drain removal, unless advised otherwise.

3. Duration of Use

• First 4–6 weeks: Wear 24 hours/day, removing only for bathing and dressing changes.

• Next 2–4 weeks: Wear 10–12 hours/day (daytime preferred).

• Scar cases with hypertrophic tendency may need up to 3–6 months of part-time use.

4. How to Wear Correctly

• Garment must be snug but not painful, allowing easy breathing.

• Ensure no folds, wrinkles, or rolling edges that can cause pressure marks or pigmentation.

• Must cover entire treated area uniformly.

• Close hooks/zippers from bottom to top for comfort.

• If using silicone gel sheets → apply them under the garment once the incision is fully healed (usually after 2–3 weeks).

5. Daily Care Routine

Morning

• Remove garment gently.

• Inspect skin for redness, folds, irritation.

• Apply scar-reduction gel (if prescribed).

• Re-wear garment on clean, dry skin.

Evening

• Remove for bathing.

• Pat skin dry—not rubbing.

• Reapply garment immediately.

6. Hygiene & Maintenance

• Hand-wash garment with mild liquid detergent.

• Avoid hot water, bleach, or vigorous wringing.

• Keep two garments for alternate-day use.

• Replace garment every 6–8 weeks if elasticity decreases.

7. Signs Garment Is TOO TIGHT

• Numbness or tingling.

• Purple/blue discoloration.

• Excessive pain or difficulty breathing.

• Deep skin marks that persist >30 minutes.

→ Stop use and inform the clinic.

8. Signs Garment Is TOO LOOSE

• Visible gaps, sliding down, or folding.

• Loss of compression leading to swelling.

→ Replace with correct size.

9. When NOT to Use

• Active infection or open wound.

• Severe dermatitis or allergy to garment material.

• Immediately after heavy meal (for abdominal garments)—loosen but don’t remove unless uncomfortable.

10. Special Instructions for Scar Management

• After sutures dissolve / incision heals (about 14–21 days):

• Start silicone gel twice daily.

• Start silicone gel sheet for 6–12 hours/day under garment.

• Begin scar massage gently after 3–4 weeks.

• Continue compression for 3 months for best flattening effect.

11. Do’s & Don’ts

• Wear consistently for best cosmetic results.

• Keep skin moisturized (not oily).

• Replace worn-out garments promptly.

Don’t

• Do not sleep without garment during the first month.

• Do not apply oils under the garment (causes friction & irritation).

• Avoid high-intensity exercise for 2–3 weeks.

12. Follow-Up

• Review at 7 days, 21 days, 6 weeks, and 3 months.

• Adjust garment size as swelling decreases.

How to manage dressing at home

How to reduce post surgery scar