Compression

I was already wearing compression before I had my surgery, and I expect to wear compression afterwards, for the rest of my life (as medical science/technology currently stands).  

Hanse-Klinik generally recommend that you wear compression after your surgery for 24 hours a day (other than washing it and you) and then in the daytime only for the next 3 weeks.  This means that one month post surgery they believe you would be able to stop wearing compression - and keep it off provided you don't see changes or feel better for wearing it.  

In my case, my lymphoscintigram results (I had the test pre-surgery as part of my NHS lipodema care) indicated that my legs were already not functioning as effectively as the average person.  They were slower, or more sluggish, at circulating my lymph fluid.  They were not so slow that surgery was advised against, and there were no clinical signs of lymphodema (I am still symmetrical so neither leg is visibly that much bigger than the other, and I am negative for the Stemmer sign - which is described about half way down this page).  They indicated that I was more likely to have lymphodema or lipolymphedema than just lipodema, but it isn't possible to say whether I was born this way or whether my lipodema has already affected my lymphatic functioning.  

Because this impaired lymph circulation places me at higher risk of lympodema, St George's (where I have my NHS care) want me to continue with wearing compression, regardless of how I look or feel after surgery.  I definitely have to do this whilst awake - the question is whether I'm safe to sleep without it or not.  Opinions vary so for now I'm taking Professor Schmeller's advice and trying a few nights without it.  

Compression classes mean different things depending on where you live.  The compression measurement is taken from the ankle in leg garments and the compression reduces from that point up the leg, to encourage flow up to the lymph nodes and reduce pooling.  Compression is measured in mmHg or millimetres of mercury.  

The differences mean that a UK class 2 equates to an EU/RAL class 1.  

The following information is taken from Daylong (an online seller of compression garments by private and NHS prescription):

                                          UK Class 1 14 - 17 mmHg
EU Class 1 18 - 21 mmHg,UK Class 2 18 - 24 mmHg US Class 1 15 - 20 mmHg
EU Class 2 23 - 32 mmHg UK Class 3 25 - 35 mmHg US Class 2 20 - 30 mmHg
EU Class 3 34 - 46 mmHg                                           US Class 3 30 - 40 mmHg

Source: Daylong