What should you know about faja compression garment?

A faja compression garment applies measured support around the trunk, but it should fit comfortably and follow your clinician’s instructions. It may be recommended after surgery or for swelling and changes in body shape. A garment is not a substitute for assessment of a new lump, pain, wound, or sudden swelling.

Compression can support tissues and help manage fluid movement when swelling is present. The useful pressure depends on the body area, material, garment design, and your healing stage. A faja that is too tight can restrict breathing, irritate skin, cause numbness, or interfere with a wound or drain.

Some people use a faja after abdominal or pelvic procedures, while others need a different garment for limb lymphoedema. Lymphoedema therapy may combine compression with skin care, movement, and specialised massage, depending on the assessment.

Have the garment fitted or approved by your surgical or rehabilitation team. Put it on over clean, dry skin, smooth out folds, and check that you can breathe, sit, walk, and bend comfortably. Follow the recommended wearing schedule and wash the garment as directed. Inspect your skin when removing it, particularly near scars, drains, and bony areas.

Do not cut, roll, or add extra layers to increase pressure. If it rubs, slips, causes tingling, or leaves deep marks that persist, remove it and contact the fitting team. Keep any wound dressing and drain instructions separate from garment advice.

Remove the garment and seek urgent help for new breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, sudden one-sided swelling, blue or very cold skin, or severe pain. Contact your care team for increasing redness, warmth, drainage, wound separation, fever, or swelling that worsens after wearing it.

Why do I need compression, and which area should it cover? What size and pressure are suitable? When may I start wearing it, and should I remove it overnight? How should it fit around my incision or drain?