Psychiatrists recommend that you should undergo aesthetic procedures only if you're doing it to please yourself.

Aesthetic procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, facelifts and chemical peels are becoming more popular in the United States than ever before. If you’re wondering whether you are a good candidate for these aesthetic procedures, consider the following:

• You should understand the risks before you undergo aesthetic procedures. Any time a local or general anesthetic is used, post-operative complications can occur. Most of these complications can increase recovery time, and some can be life-threatening as well.
• You should be in relatively good health. People with conditions such as diabetes or heart disease should seriously consider whether they can endure aesthetic procedures that may damage tissue, nerves and blood vessels.
• You should be willing to change your lifestyle to accommodate the “new you.” For example, a liposuction patient should eat a more healthy diet to preserve new body contours and protect the somewhat sizeable investment.
• Choosing the right recovery program will be paramount to the “new you”.  Garments such as compression garments, liposuction recovery garments, breast augmentation bras, abdominal binders and compression girdles will help with the body  contouring, while scar creams, scar gels and other scar management products will help with possible scarring.

Abdominal Binder by ContourMD

With swimsuit season in full swing, you may be considering liposuction to get rid of those unsightly bumps and bulges. But should you go with a laser liposuction procedure or a traditional liposuction procedure? You may be tempted to choose laser liposuction over traditional liposuction because it’s less expensive and recovery time is quicker, but before you make such a big decision, it’s important to know the facts.

Laser liposuction, also known as Smart Lipo, or laser-assisted lypolysis, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that melts away fat through the use of lasers. During laser liposuction, tiny incisions are made in the skin through which a laser is inserted. When the laser is fired, it melts fat and tightens the surrounding skin.

But unlike traditional liposuction, laser liposuction is not intended to be used on large areas like the stomach or hips. It is, however, useful for people who want to have small pockets of fat in the face, neck, arms, or breasts removed.

Before scheduling your liposuction procedure, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which type of liposuction is best for you.

Once you have decided which liposuction technique meets your requirements, you will need to prepare for your liposuction recovery. This will include the purchase of a liposuction compression garment. If you are undergoing traditional liposuction, you will need an abdominal binder, girdle, or body shaper.

For laser-assisted lipolysis, the type of recovery garment you need will depend on the area being treated. For liposuction of the breast or arm, you will want to purchase a compression vest, or a post-surgical bra. For liposuction of the face and neck, a facial compression wrap is the compression garment of choice.

KAFO socks from ContourMD

Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) can sometimes be uncomfortable. The right sock can be the deciding factor between being comfortable in your AFO or KAFO and painful blisters on your foot, ankle, or leg.

AFO and KAFO socks are seamless socks that are wrinkle-free, a design that minimizes pressure that can cause blisters. Smartknit AFO Interface Socks and Smartknit KAFO Interface Socks fit like a second layer of skin, are exceptionally soft, and provide wicking of perspiration. They are also available with X-Static® – The Silver Fiber®, which regulates temperature, reduces moisture, and inhibits bacterial or fungal growth.

SmartKnit AFO and KAFO socks provide a protective barrier between the AFO or KAFO and the foot and leg, maximizing comfort and skin health for AFO and KAFO wearers.

Lymphedema Compression Garments by ContourMD

Lymphedema is a swelling of the arms or legs caused by a blockage of the lymphatic system, which prevents lymph fluid from draining properly.

There’s no cure for lymphedema, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as infections, skin ulcers, elephantiasis (severe hardening of the skin), and even cancer. Common lymphedema treatments include massage therapy, exercise, and the use of compression garments. The goal of lymphedema treatment is to decrease pain and swelling and improve mobility.

Massage therapy and exercise help to minimize lymphedema symptoms by moving lymph out of the affected limb, which decreases swelling.

Lymphedema compression garments help keep fluid from building up in your limbs. Compression garments should be put on first thing in the morning and worn throughout the day. When worn during exercise, compression garments may help prevent swelling from lymphedema in an affected limb. It’s particularly important for you to wear a compression garment when traveling by air, because lymphedema can become worse at high altitudes.

Compression garment options for lymphedema swelling of the hands and arms include compression gauntlets and arm sleeves. For leg swelling due to lymphedema, compression stockings are the garment of choice.

Second Stage Garments by ContourMD

If you are planning a plastic surgery procedure, you’ll need to invest in a compression garment. Compression garments, also known as plastic surgery recovery garments or post-surgical garments, improve circulation, help rid the body of potentially harmful fluids, reduce swelling, and decrease plastic surgery recovery time.

Immediately after your surgery, you’ll need a first stage recovery garment. The type of compression garment you need will depend on your type of surgery. If you are undergoing a breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, breast lift, or arm lift, you’ll need a compression vest or a post-surgical bra. For liposuction or a tummy tuck, you’ll want to purchase an abdominal binder, a compression girdle, or a body shaper. Facial compression wraps are recommended for facelift surgery.

A few weeks after your plastic surgery, your plastic surgeon may tell you to switch to a second stage compression garment. Second stage recovery garments are less bulky than first stage recovery garments. But don’t let the lightweight material fool you. Second stage recovery garments still provide compression, which increases circulation and helps the body heal.

Because second stage recovery garments are less restrictive than first stage compression garments, they can easily be worn undetected underneath everyday clothing. Second stage recovery garments come in a variety of styles. Mid-thigh girdles and mid-calf girdles fit well under shorts, capris, or skirts. Since they are lightweight, they are a good choice during the hot summer. Ankle body garments may be more comfortable under slacks and can add an extra layer of warmth during the cold winter months.

Whether you need a first stage compression garment or a second stage recovery garment, keep in mind that plastic surgery recovery can last several weeks, so it a good idea to have more than one post-surgical recovery garment on hand.

Compression Arm Garments from ContourMD

When preparing for arm lift surgery (also known as brachioplasty), you’ll want to consider what you need to have on hand for your recovery. For example, following arm lift surgery, your doctor may instruct you to wear an arm lift compression garment. These post-surgery support garments improve circulation, reduce swelling, and decrease plastic surgery recovery time. They also help the new skin form to your body’s contours.

The key to choosing an arm lift compression garment is to find something that provides adequate support, yet is also comfortable. Options include long-sleeve compression vests or short-sleeve compression vests.

Although short-sleeve compression garments may be more comfortable, particularly during the summer months, it’s a good idea to ask your plastic surgeon which type of garment is best for you. Plastic surgery recovery garments are typically worn continuously for several weeks, so you should purchase more than one.

Many women undergo breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. A quality breast reconstruction compression garment can ease recovery by reducing post-surgery swelling and decreasing breast reconstruction recovery time.

Breast reconstruction compression garments help to stabilize breast implants and keep them in place. Options for breast reconstruction post-surgical garments include compression vests and compression and post-surgical bras.

Compression vests may have long sleeves, short sleeves, or no sleeves at all. They offer a bit more support than post-surgical bras, so they may be a better choice for women with large breast implants. Compression bras are more lightweight than compression vests, which makes them a good option for every day wear.

Since breast reconstruction recovery garments are worn continuously for several weeks, it may be a good idea to have more than one on hand.