A faja is a post liposuction/surgical compression wear that aims to contain swelling thereby promoting lymphatic repair. If you have recently had liposuction, chances are your doctor has provided you with an appropriate compression garment for directly after your surgery. A stage 1 faja is meant to be worn throughout the acute stage of healing (approximately the first two weeks post surgery). These should be worn all the time; only to be taken off for lymph drainage massage, and to wash it daily while you wash yourself. After the drains are out and your doctor recommends that you proceed to a later stage faja, you will continue to wear it both night and day for approximately 23 hours a day for the next 2 – 3 months depending on how well the healing progresses.
The stage 2 and 3 fajas have a waist trainer in them that looks like a corset component. A common misconception is that the compression wear is meant to squeeze you down to your next size. The reality is that the lymphatic system still needs time to recover and regenerate. Too much compression may damage it in this fragile state. Instead, the later stage faja is meant to set boundaries and structure as your body remodels tissue after the surgery. The faja acts like a mother’s embrace as she gently but securely brings her child down from the tree that he/she climbed. The eyelets in the garment enable the adjustment of size as the swelling decreases or allow for foam padding, such as swell spots. Some people choose to purchase 2 fajas to make the washing and wearing process easier.
The faja’s at Flow have a large opening in the crotch area to allow for bathroom breaks as well as a built-in bra for ease of wearing. As these fajas are meant to be worn both day and night they are made of a stretchy material. The torso area may stretch between 30 – 40%. The bra and glutes material is designed to give shape but not compression and so will also stretch. This stretching will happen over approximately the first 48 hours. Please bear this in mind when trying it on for the first time.
Book a garment fitting appointment with us so we can discuss your needs.
Melissa Krull is a compression garment fitter and co-founder of FLOW Lymphatic Health Services.