Compression Garments after Surgery: How to Choose the Right one, When to wear it and what to avoid.

When I came home from Thailand after my skin removal surgery, one of the things I was most confused about — and most underprepared for — was compression.

I was instructed to "wear compression as much as possible." That's broad and open to interpretation, right? Once I got my drains out, I was put into their compression garments. While you're in the hospital the nurses do your dressings and you're barely showering, so the concept of what you're going to need once you're home isn't really on your brain. But as soon as you start showering, you quickly realise that one garment set is not enough — you need to wash them, they take quite a while to dry, and the math does not math. I

can also assure you that in those early days, not wearing compression made me feel like my body was going to pop apart. It genuinely becomes a security blanket.

So the day after discharge, I turned right back around to the hospital and purchased another set of each of my garments. I'd also watched a lot of the other patients not wearing their compression while their garments were drying and taking breaks — in the first three weeks post-op. Don't be that person. Now here I was thinking I was the most prepared person alive. Two sets, sorted. I was not.

Coming home, I merged into my new routine. I started light exercise, moved more, and my swelling was reducing — and somehow I found myself in the position of not having enough compression.

So began hours of Googling: first trying to find the exact garments I'd gotten in Thailand (I absolutely could not), then trying to figure out the Australian equivalent. It was hard, confusing, and the internet's sponsored ads were really pushing shapewear — which, for the record, is not the same thing.

After hours of research I finally understood what compression actually is, why it matters, what the wear time recommendations are, and where to source it in Australia. None of it was straightforward.

This is where this website came from. I didn't want anyone else to be misled, confused, and overcharged the way I was.

Compression is one of the most important parts of your recovery. Get it right and you're actively supporting your healing. Get it wrong — wearing the wrong level, the wrong fit, or ditching it too early — and you're making your recovery harder than it needs to be. Nobody told me any of this clearly before I came home.

So here's what I wish someone had handed me at the airport.

First: What Is Compression Actually Doing?

Compression garments aren't just about keeping things in place. They're doing several important things at once:

• Moving fluid and reducing swelling

• Supporting tissue while it heals

• Improving circulation to the area

  
  

That's why your surgeon isn't just recommending them for comfort — they're a genuine part of the healing process. And it's why a pair of tights or a shapewear bodysuit genuinely does not cut it, no matter how tight they feel.

Understanding Compression Levels

(Without the Overwhelm)

Compression is measured in mmHg — millimetres of mercury, which is just a way of expressing pressure. The higher the number, the tighter the garment.

Here's what the general levels actually mean in plain language:

Firm / High — 20–30 mmHg Often referred to as 'Stage 1,' this is what you need in early recovery. It feels tight and supportive — this is the level doing the real work, controlling swelling and supporting your healing tissue. If you've just come home from surgery, this is what you should be in.

Moderate / Medium — 15–20 mmHg Often referred to as 'Stage 2,' this is snug and supportive, but less intense. This is what you'll transition to as your swelling reduces in the mid-to-late recovery phase. Still genuinely therapeutic — just gentler.

We stock garments that sit within these two categories, so you're supported the way you need to be (as comfortable as compression can be).

As an FYI — there are two other levels: Light/Moderate (8–15 mmHg, feels similar to activewear) and Extra Firm (30–40 mmHg, prescribed for specific medical conditions). If you've had cosmetic or plastic surgery like me, you don't need to worry about either of these.

Why Your Activewear and Shapewear Won't Work

I know. You've got a drawer full of good sports tights and a shapewear bodysuit that feels plenty tight. I promise you — it's not the same.

The key difference is consistency. Medical compression garments are designed to deliver precise, even pressure across the treated area. Activewear and shapewear may feel compressive, but the pressure is variable and distributed unevenly. They haven't been clinically tested for post-surgical recovery. They won't do what your body actually needs in those first critical weeks.

Once you're cleared by your surgeon and your swelling has significantly reduced, you can start transitioning to supportive activewear for some activities. But in early recovery? You need the real thing.

How to Size Yourself (And Why You'll Probably Need Two Sizes)

Surprise! Compression garments aren't simple sizing - but again if you've been on this journey theres never been a store or clothing item has been easy for you to figure out size 12 at Levis and size 16 at Kmart (am i right?)

Anyways - something nobody warns you about: the size you need at week one is not the size you'll need at week eight.

Your body changes significantly as that swelling reduces. Most people find they need a larger garment in the first few weeks and then a smaller one as recovery progresses.

When you measure, measure your current state. Not where you hope to be. Not your pre-surgery measurements. Right now, today.

What good compression feels like:

• Firm pressure across the area

• Supportive — like the garment is holding you

• Slightly snug to put on, but not a struggle once it's on

  
  

Signs your garment is too tight:

• Numbness or tingling

• Digging into your incisions

• Restricting your breathing

• Leaving deep marks beyond normal compression lines

  
  

Signs your garment is too loose:

• Feels comfortable immediately (a little too comfortable)

• Moves around or bunches

• Doesn't feel like it's doing much

• Swelling seems worse than expected

  
  

If you're unsure, err on the side of getting it checked. The wrong size — in either direction — will slow your recovery. Reach out to us - we will give some guidance.

When to Wear It: A Phase-by-Phase Guide

This is the part that surprised me most. It's not just what you wear — it's how long you wear it each day, and that changes significantly across your recovery.

Weeks 1–2: Acute Healing Firm/High compression: 24 hours a day. The only time it comes off is for wound care. That's it. I know it's uncomfortable. Wear it anyway.

Weeks 3–4: Stabilising Firm/High compression: still 24 hours a day. You can now take it off briefly to shower — but it goes straight back on. Your wounds are closing, but your body is still doing heavy lifting.

Weeks 5–8: Early Recovery Keep living in your compression! Alot of people feel better and start more time out of it (please avoid this) You can generally shower normally now without rushing straight back into it. You're starting to get a little more flexibility, but firm compression during movement is still essential. Our garments sit in between Firm/Medium and will give some relief as you rotate your sets.

Weeks 9–12: Functional Recovery Firm/High: while sleeping and exercising. Moderate/Medium: for the remaining hours of your day. You're remodelling now. The firm garment is your anchor for the high-demand moments — rest and movement.

Week 12+: Return to Normal Life Compression becomes a tool, not a rule. Firm/High during intense training or as needed if swelling increases. Medium/Light as required. Listen to your body. Your swelling will tell you what it still needs.

*As always - follow your surgeons/allied health providers advice! If you've had any complications of specific conditions the above general advise doesn't cater to you. If you're unsure - always ask the question!

A Note on Breast Support

If you've had a breast lift or any chest procedure, your compression timeline is longer than you might expect.

Non-wire and higher support bras are recommended for six months or more. Breast tissue takes significantly longer to settle and support than other areas, and the demands placed on it during higher-impact activity are real. Don't underestimate this one — it's worth getting right.

The Bottom Line

Compression isn't something to rush through or figure out as you go. It's one of the few things you have direct control over in your recovery, and it genuinely makes a difference to how well and how quickly you heal.

Choose the right level for your stage. Size yourself honestly. Wear it for as long as your recovery demands — not just until it gets inconvenient. And if you're ever unsure whether what you have is working, trust the signs your body is giving you.

You've done the hard part. Don't let the garment be the thing that lets you down.

This information is general in nature and does not replace medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your surgical team and healthcare providers.

Not sure which garments are right for your stage of recovery? Browse the TWB curated range.