BBL Fajas Colombianas 101: The Ultimate Compression Garment Guide
Post Surgical Fajas & Compression Garments
After Body Contouring procedures that include Liposuction, many surgeons strongly recommend that a compression garment, also known as “fajas colombianas”, be worn to help reduce the amount of fluid build-up and fibrosis formation in your body. It’s also believed they play a big role in “snatching” your waist. The length of time varies from surgeon to surgeon but you’re typically asked to wear the faja for 1-3 months immediately following your procedure. There are so many types of garments out there, it can be really confusing on what to buy and how to wear your fajas throughout recovery. This guide and demonstration video should help clarify!
Stage 1
Timeline: Worn at all times until you are 3 weeks post op. You can remove it only to shower, once a day and then put it on as quickly as possible.
Compression Level: This LOW compression garment should not be too tight. It is vital that you have good blood circulation during this period of time to avoid faja burn, permanent indentations, and scarring. Your stage 1 Faja’s sole purpose is to minimize swelling NOT snatch your waist… That comes later!
Accessories: The first 3 weeks require the use of abdominal board and foam inserts at all times. You may remove the abdominal board to sleep.
Pro Tip: I highly recommend purchasing your Stage 1 faja from your surgeon so that you can try it on for size during your pre-op appointment. Because you are put into the faja right after surgery, it’s super important that it be the right fit AND compression level.
Product Recommendation: Faja Post Surgery Compression Garment or Plus Size Fajas Post Surgery Compression Garment
Stage 2
Timeline: Worn at all times until you are 3 months post-op. You can remove it only to shower once a day & then put it on as quickly as possible.
Compression Level: This HIGH compression faja is very tight, very uncomfortable, and typically has eye-hook connectors down the front that allow you to tighten it over time as your waist “snatches” to the gods girl! p.s. NO metal boning waist training until you are 3 months out of surgery!
Accessories: During this stage, you may discontinue the use of the foams and abdominal board.
Pro Tip: While you can buy standard-sized fajas, I personally recommend having a custom garment made that will last you your entire recovery. These take about 2 weeks to receive so you will want to order with your new measurements around 4-5 days post-op.
Product Recommendation: St Azar’s Traditional Faja by Curvy Gyals; Built-In Bra, Sleeves Beneath Elbow, Butt In, Above Knee (unless you have thin thighs don’t go shorter)
Additional Tips & Accessories
Female Urinal
During your recovery, especially during the first month, you are getting rid of a lot of fluid and will need to pee every 2-3 hours. Because you are wearing a faja 24/7, and taking off your garment is painful, you will need to pee standing up. I highly recommend the Tinkle Belle. It’s slender shape fits into your faja’s opening seamlessly. Just be sure to practice in the shower a few times before your surgery to get the hang of it… you don’t want to pee on yourself 😉
Compression Socks
Compression socks prevent swelling in your feet and legs after surgery and must be worn for 7 days post-op. If you traveled for surgery, be sure to wear socks on your flight home. Your surgeon typically gives you 1 pair of socks that you wake up in after surgery. I recommend getting a second pair as fluid leaks all over them & you need to wear fresh socks while your others are washing. I also recommend open toe so you don’t slip and fall. I personally really like these Compression Socks by Doc Miller.
Lipo Foams
Lipo Foams are used to give uniform smooth compression and flattening of abdominal skin after cosmetic surgery3 Lipo Foams are inserted inside your garment for the first 3 weeks after surgery. I also recommend wrapping your foams in Plastic Saran Wrapto protect them from fluid stains (trust me they get nasty & can’t be washed).
Seamless Tank Top
You’ll want to wear a seamless tank top to prevent foams from irritating your skin.
Abdominal & Lumbar Boards
The Abdominal Board provides the extra support your midsection needs after an aesthetic procedure to preventing fluid retention, skin folds, and irritation. This is often required by your surgeon to be worn inside your Stage 1 Faja for 3 weeks after surgery.
The Lumbar Molder gives extra support on your back. and helps shape your lower back. I personally did not use a Lumbar molder but, I know many dolls out there who swear by them.
Arm Compression
If you decide to get Arm Lipo, you will need to purchase an Arm Compression Jacket or Arm Compression Sleeves as Stage 1 Fajas do not come with built-in sleeves. This was something I didn’t know until after my procedure! For my Stage 2 Faja I chose to purchase built in sleeves and bra and this was significantly more comfortable!
Extenders
When you first get into your Stage 2 Faja, the higher compression can be difficult to tolerate. Extenders can be used to give some relief until your waist snatches more and you adjust to the high compression. It’s NOT comfortable.
Final Thoughts
This general guide was created based on my own personal experience and is not meant to be a replacement for your post-op instructions provided by your surgeon. If you have any questions or suggestions to improve this guide please comment below!
*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links
This is so helpful and informative! Thank you for sharing this and also for sharing the list of things needed for a bbl. your the best!
Thank you so much for the feedback! Good luck with your surgery, Simone 🙂
What about stage 3
Thank you so much! This info is so helpful to those who are completely lost like myself on what is the correct Fajas to purchase. You explained every detail down to a T and I appreciate it!
So happy I was able to help <3
What happens if you change your stand 1 faja to stage 2 faja too soon? I did it yesterday thinking it was time to make the switch… it was so painful and it looks like my booty shrunk, but it could be in my head.
Hi Julie, I do not recommend changing to stage 2 prior to your surgeon’s instructions. There are lots of reasons for this including, your skin needs blood flow to heal and you don’t want permanent creases in your stomach, etc.
Hi lovely,
Your info helped me so much for my pre op 🙏
Can we use stage 2 faja after 3 weeks without the use of foams and boards?
I’m just worried about the faja leaving marks, I’m so use to wearing the foams and abdominal board. I’m approaching my third week post op. Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you ☺️
Hi Maria! So happy that you found it helpful! Yes, for the first week or so that I was in my Stage 2 I would use Foams to help with creasing or uncomfortable tightness. As my body shrank, I did not need them anymore. In other words, it does not hurt to continue the use of foams and boards after 3 weeks.
Great info! I am actually 8 weeks post op been in stage 2 faja for two weeks because my shipment was delayed and I also had a hard time finding my right size and had to get it altered. The faja is starting to leave a lot of marks and a horizontal crease across my abs. Did you experience creasing or this line?. Not sure how to handle this. My faja is tight but not uncomfortably tight and my tummy only creases when I sit so I’m not sure what the deal is. Any advice?
Hi Daniella, I put a strip of surgical foam or maxi pads on the area that creased to keep it from leaving marks on my body.
My surgeon does not believe in the lymphatic massages garments just the spanks it that odd?? I had lower body lift and breast lift with implants no support bra and only spanks
I would always follow your surgeon’s recommendations. For Tummy Tucks and Body Lifts, I do not know the compression garment protocol. The information in this guide is specifically for people who get Lipo 360 + BBL.
I have a question. I’m 3 months and still have some fluid and swelling. I had a 360 tummy tuck body lift lipo muscle repair and bbl
Hi Shaunda, Did you get MLD Massages? Those usually help you release any fluids in the body & you shouldn’t have much fluid after a few months. I had swelling that would come and go for about 6 months so that part is normal. Here is a list of Massage Professionals if you need to find someone local: https://amyinthemirror.com/lymphatic-massage-directory/
what do you wear when you wash your stage 2 Faja and while waiting for it to dry?
I just had on a night shirt.
Hello, I’m 12 weeks post op from a mini TT and lipo. I bought a faja just due to it being more comfortable than a binder. I bought 2 fajas from Amazon. Large and medium. The large was very loose so I tried some foam under. The medium is is a lot tighter. I was really pulling to close and zip. How do I know if it is too tight though?
My Stage 2 Faja was SUPER tight in the waist – took me a good 5minited to get it on lol. If I had to guess, I’d go with the Medium at this far along with recovery. For a Tummy Tuck, I’m not too sure on the protocol though since I only had Lipo + BBL. I would recommend asking your surgeon’s office for confirmation.
I’m in week 3…I tried my stage 2 faja on and it seems like it’s compressing my butt…..Should I go back to stage 1 faja?
At 3 weeks you should be fine! I did have to switch back into my stage 1 in order to get sleep a few nights as I transitioned for comfort reasons. But, it shoudnt be damaging your fat transfer at this point 🙂
Thanks for the tips this will help a lot❤️
Hi I’m going on 3 weeks post op from a bbl and lipo 360 my stage 1 garment is a 48 (5x) it’s start to loading up around my stomach once I take the lipo foam and boards off but fits perfect on my butt when I do get my stage 2 fajia should I go down a size or 2?
Heyy what size stage 2 faja should I get since my stage 1 is a 5xl ?
For Stage 2, whoever you buy through they should have a size chart based on your measurements or it will be custom madde to fit you
Hi, unfortunately i was not advised to wear my board and foams. I’m 3 wks post op and am going into stage 2. Can i wear them now or is it too late?
Also do i wear both front and back boards under the foams?
I wasn’t advised to wear boards and foams. I’m 3 weeks post op and transitioning into stage 2. Is it too late to do so? Also do the boards go over or under the foam?
They are most helpful during the first 3-4 weeks so no need for them now. 🙂