A “faja” is a specialized, high-compression garment designed to apply firm pressure across the torso. This type of garment is commonly used following various body-contouring procedures to support the surgical area. Gastric Sleeve Surgery, or Sleeve Gastrectomy, involves surgically removing approximately 80% of the stomach, creating a much smaller, tube-shaped stomach. Patients often seek compression garments post-sleeve for support and contouring as they lose weight. Determining whether a high-compression faja is appropriate after this internal organ surgery requires careful consideration of the stomach’s unique healing process.
Understanding Compression Garments in Recovery
Compression garments are routinely recommended after many types of abdominal surgery due to physiological benefits that aid recovery. The consistent external pressure helps manage and reduce postoperative edema, which is the natural swelling that occurs when fluid accumulates in tissues. This fluid management also improves localized blood circulation, which is beneficial for tissue healing.
The supportive pressure from a garment helps stabilize the abdominal wall, which can feel weakened and unsupported after a procedure. By providing this external structure, patients often experience greater comfort when moving, coughing, or sneezing. This support encourages earlier mobilization, which is a significant factor in preventing complications like blood clots.
Compression also plays a part in body contouring by supporting the skin as it retracts and adheres to the underlying muscle and tissue. This is particularly relevant after significant weight loss or body-altering surgery. However, the intensity and type of compression required for contouring differ substantially from the gentle support needed for internal healing.
Critical Concerns for Gastric Sleeve Healing
The gastric sleeve procedure introduces distinct internal healing requirements that differentiate it from cosmetic abdominal surgeries. A long line of surgical staples is created along the length of the stomach, and the structural integrity of this staple line is the primary focus during initial recovery. The most serious complication is a staple-line leak, which occurs when the stomach contents escape into the abdominal cavity.
Leaks are often caused by mechanical failure when the internal pressure within the stomach (intraluminal pressure) exceeds the strength of the staples. This pressure naturally increases after the procedure because the stomach’s most flexible part has been removed. A tight, high-compression faja applies significant external pressure to the abdomen, which could potentially compound this problematic internal pressure dynamic.
A restrictive garment can hinder pulmonary function required for a healthy recovery. Post-surgery patients are instructed to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises to fully expand the lungs and prevent respiratory complications like pneumonia. A faja that is too tight across the diaphragm can impede the ability to take deep breaths.
Tight compression can also make it challenging to monitor the small external incision sites used for laparoscopic surgery. This potentially masks early signs of infection or skin irritation.
Guidelines for Safe Faja Use and Timing
The most important step before introducing any compression garment is obtaining approval from the bariatric surgeon. The medical team is aware of the patient’s unique surgical details and healing progression. They advise on the appropriate time to begin wearing external support, which may not be until several weeks post-operation, after the acute phase of internal healing has passed.
The type of garment matters; a gentle abdominal binder or a bariatric compression garment is often preferred over an aesthetic faja. The garment must provide snug support without feeling restrictive or painful. It should allow for full, comfortable diaphragmatic breathing and should never be so tight that a hand cannot be easily slid between the garment and the skin.
If a garment is approved, it should be worn as directed by the surgeon, typically for a fixed number of hours per day, and should be removed for sleeping or specific activities. Patients should immediately discontinue use and contact their medical team if they experience any warning signs. These symptoms include shortness of breath, increased abdominal pain, persistent nausea, or new onset of reflux, as these may signal excessive pressure or an internal complication.