Everyone heals differently and has a variable amount of swelling so you may need compression for up to 3-6 months. In general, we recommend compression garments be used for 23 hours/day for 1 month, 12 hours/day for 2 months, and as needed for another 3 months. Please make sure that the garment fits snugly and gently. After surgery, you will have more swelling during the first few days and your compression garment may need to be loosened similar to loosening a belt after over-eating. You may have some temporary numbness and not realize how tight the compression garment is so please use your hands to check how tight the garment is. If you cannot fit your hand under the garment please loosen the garment. We do not need the garment to be on so tight like a waist trainer that you cannot breathe. The risk of the garment being too tight is that it can cause skin irritation, blisters, scarring, and permanent indentations. If you are using a foam board underneath your garment, please make that that it is not too tight as well. If it is too tight, you can cause indents from the board as well. Compression can be helpful, but it can also be hurtful if not used properly. Similar to the children’s story Goldilocks eating her porridge at the ideal temperature (not too cold, not too hot, but just right), it is important to make sure that the compression garment you are wearing fits just right.