• Mid thigh girdles — These extend from from the thigh to the abdomen, just below chest. Both legs pass through the girdle, giving the appearance of extremely high waisted shorts. The mid thigh girdle is ideal for procedures in the buttocks, thigh, and abdominal regions.
• Compression girdles — Covering the area from the buttocks to the upper chest, compression girdles resemble mid thigh girdles without the portion of the garment that covers the thigh. These girdles are used following tummy tucks and liposuction in the abdomen area.
• Compression stockings — Essentially, these are tight stockings that end just above or below the knee, depending on the model. Compression stockings can be employed following procedures outside of the leg region to improve overall blood circulation and to prevent deep vein thrombosis, a form of blood clotting.
• Surgical bras — Depending on the model, surgical bras can either resemble a sleek sports bra or a bulkier chest-level vest. These bras are used not only following breast augmentations, but also for breast reconstruction following trauma and mastectomies as a result of breast cancer.
• Compression arm sleeves — These sleeves extend from the wrist to the shoulder, with certain models wrapping around the fingers and thumb like a fingerless glove. Similar to compression socks, compression sleeves can be used following procedures outside of the arm region to improve overall circulation.

It is worth noting that it can be difficult to determine what size of garment you will need following surgery. Sizing is complicated by a combination of factors including any implanted materials and swelling. It is important to speak with your doctor, and to consult the appropriate manufacturer’s sizing charts before making any purchases.