How long must a patient wear a neck bra continuously after neck liposuction?

After neck liposuction, it is typically recommended that patients wear a neck bra for a duration of 48 to 72 hours. This timeframe is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, the neck bra helps to minimize swelling and support the tissues as they begin to heal. It provides gentle compression, which can promote a smoother contour and help reduce any potential accumulation of fluid in the treatment area, known as seroma formation.

Wearing the neck bra for this specific duration also aligns with the body's natural healing processes. Most surgeons advise maintaining compression during the initial 48 to 72 hours, which is when swelling is most pronounced and when tissue healing starts to occur.

While some recovery guidelines might suggest continued wear beyond this initial period—often for up to one week or even longer in specific cases—the most critical phase involves the first 48 to 72 hours, hence the recommendation for this timeframe.

It's important for patients to follow their surgeon’s specific post-operative instructions as individual factors and the extent of the procedure can influence recovery and the necessity of continued compression.