Compression garments: How tight is too tight?
Sometimes patients think that the garment should be as tight as possible. But that is not true. The goal is to support the body without putting excess pressure on the area that is healing.
Gentle pressure is good; however, it shouldn’t be so tight that circulation and lymphatic flow is compromised.
Circulation is important to recovery. Ideally, it should fit snugly and comfortably. A good rule of thumb is that you should just be able to slide your hand under it without strain.
Wearing a binder or compression garment too tight can also cause it to roll down. The garment should lay smooth and flat across the skin. Doing so will prevent problems with healing, such
as undesirable fluid collection.
Wearing a compression garment too tight can cause more harm than good.
Why 2 compression garments?
After a procedure, compression garments should be worn day and night for some time. For hygienic reasons, one garment to wear while the other is being washed (30 deg or lower!). Compression garments should only be air dried, so it's important to have something to change into during that time.
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