Faja is a Spanish word, pronounced "fa-ha," that translates to something similar to a girdle or compression garment in English. These garments, often manufactured in Colombia and other Spanish-speaking countries, are part of Latin culture and are used to accentuate curves. Control fajas are commonly used by Hispanic women to help with slimming and molding their bodies, not just during lipo and BBL recovery. There are many different types of fajas for every area of the body, for men and women. Understanding the benefits and risks associated with faja garments is essential, especially for those considering or recovering from cosmetic surgery.
Types of Fajas
Fajas come in various styles and compression levels to suit different needs and preferences. Some common types include:
- Waist trainers: These may or may not have boning (stiff sticks in the corset) and are designed to cinch the waist.
- Full bodysuit trimmers: These provide all-over shaping and support.
- Butt lifter fajas: These accentuate the buttocks while providing compression in other areas.
- Compression Levels: Fajas are available in differing levels of compression (Stage 1, Stage 2, Daily Use).
They also come in differing levels of compression (Stage 1, Stage 2, Daily Use). Some have a full panty while others have an open crotch, a zipper, or a thong. You can get shape-wear that incorporates a bra or has an open bust.
Most Stage 1 fajas are made of a fabric known as “powernet.” Powernet is a blended fabric containing Nylon and Spandex. Most good fajas also have a liner, at least in the torso area, which helps with comfort (the nylon can be stiff and itchy). Stage 2 and daily-use shape wear often have blends with higher spandex and lower nylon to make them more comfortable. However, this does have the added effect of less compression.
Another popular type is a latex waist trainer. A lot of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner popularized the wear of waist trainers for body shaping and tummy control. These use latex or rubber to encourage water loss through sweating.
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Benefits of Wearing a Faja
A faja is a snug-fitting garment that has several uses:
- Post-Surgery Recovery: The most common and well-known use for fajas is as a post-surgery garment. Faja compression garments are crucial for healthy recovery after cosmetic surgery such as liposuction or a BBL. After Liposuction or a BBL, your body will have normal fluid retention and swelling which the Fajas help to tame while recovering.
- Everyday Shaping: The purpose of shapewear for daily use is to help hold in your tummy, making it appear flatter so that your clothes fit better.
- Postpartum Support: New mothers are also fond of postpartum shapewear. It’s okay to be disappointed if you don’t “bounce” back to the body you had before right away - this is where wearing a Faja can help!
- Appetite Control: Because of the tightness in the tummy area, you will also feel full after eating smaller amounts.
- Improved Posture and Blood Flow: Fajas help you keep your shoulders up, supporting and strengthening your back. They help you keep a healthy and attractive posture. You’ll feel its beneficial impact on your shoulders and spine in no time. The same goes for blood flow issues, with many doctors recommending compression garments to people with veins prone to stretching and similar medical issues. Faja’s medical-grade pressure eases the symptoms of varicose veins in the same way it reduces swelling in the postoperative period. And even if your blood vessels are perfectly healthy, you could still wear a Faja to boost circulation and oxygen flow long-term.
- Attractive Look and Boosted Confidence: Straight back and shoulders up instantly affect your appearance and confidence-and so do a slimmer waist and highlighted curves. The Faja Body Shaper is the perfect garment to spotlight your body’s beauty and uplift your morale - and it’s completely invisible under your clothes! In terms of Faja’s long-term effects, they’re designed to tighten the body, support the muscles, and redistribute fats, helping you lose weight faster by targeting specific areas. They reduce muscle fatigue during and after a workout, helping you stay inspired and enjoy regular exercise.
Fajas After Plastic Surgery
When it comes to plastic surgery, patients often wonder what to do to improve their results and speed up their recovery time. One of the tools used to aid in this process are fajas, which are compression garments worn after surgery. Fajas are compression garments designed to help patients recover after plastic surgery. They are made up of powernet which is a blended fabric containing Nylon and Spandex that applies gentle pressure to the body. The compression provided by fajas helps reduce swelling and inflammation after surgery, as well as provides support to the surgical site. Fajas are recommended after procedures like liposuction, abdominoplasty, or Brazilian butt lifts, as these procedures can cause significant swelling and bruising.
Reduced swelling and bruising: One of the most significant benefits of wearing a faja after plastic surgery is that it helps reduce swelling and bruising. The compression provided by the garment helps push fluid out of the area and improve circulation, which helps reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of the surgical site.
Improved comfort: Fajas help support the body. They distribute the body’s weight more evenly, which can help reduce discomfort and pain.
Improved results: Wearing a faja after plastic surgery improves the final results of the procedure.
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Risks of Wearing a Faja
While fajas offer several benefits, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with their use:
- Too-Tight Garments: You must always make sure that the faja you wear is the right size for you. Wearing a compression garment that is too small has several risks.
- Organ Displacement: Corsets that are too tight can displace your organs, pushing your liver and stomach up and putting pressure on the diaphragm.
- Blood Pressure Issues: The added pressure on your middle section can in a way “help” your heart to pump blood to your upper organs (ie your brain). When you remove the compression, your blood pressure will drop slightly. For patients who have a low baseline blood pressure, this can cause a drop in the blood flow to the brain and you may pass out.
- Compromised Fat Transfer: If you have a BBL procedure, you will need to discuss your compression choices with your surgeon. While you will definitely need to wear a compression faja after your surgery, there must not be pressure on the newly transplanted fat. Using a butt lifting (levanta cola) faja can be too snug on the new fat and cause you to lose some of the transplanted fat cells.
- Skin Problems: Wearing a faja that is too tight leads to shortness of breath, digestive problems such as acid reflux, and some skin problems. It can exacerbate intertrigo which is a rash due to yeast that resides in the skin folds.
- Fatal Complications: Misuse of a tight Faja corset can lead to a liver hematoma that can be fatal.
- Rashes, Lacerations, and Burns: A faja without a soft under-layer can cause abrasions, burns, and lacerations, especially on sensitive, post-surgical skin. Ensure your garment has a smooth lining, or wear a soft layer to protect your skin.
Choosing the Right Faja
Selecting the right faja is crucial to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Consider the following factors:
- Consult with your plastic surgeon: Your plastic surgeon can recommend the best type of faja for your specific procedure and body type. They also recommend specific brands or styles that are particularly effective. At our clinic, we provide consultations from our award-winning plastic surgeons for a holistic approach to plastic surgery that helps you to achieve complete recovery.
- Sizing: Colombian faja sizes tend to run small. Don’t be surprised to find that you are wearing an XL when you would never have worn a plus size even before your procedure. If you’re unsure about sizing for compression garments, consult experts for help!
- Coverage: Your garment should completely cover all of the areas that were treated with liposuction. While a waist cincher may be ok for lipo of the flanks only, it’s not usually the best option for flanks with back. For most lipo 360 patients, a mid-thigh garment is recommended.
- Comfort: Fajas can be tight and restrictive. It is, thus, essential to choose one that is comfortable for you to wear. Look for garments that have adjustable straps or are made from breathable materials to help improve comfort. The patient’s comfort is our priority and we make sure that the patient is satisfied with the faja he’s using.
- Fit: The fit of your faja is crucial to its effectiveness. Look for garments that are snug but not too tight, and make sure that they are covering the surgical site adequately. Any compression garment or waist trainer corset should be snug fitting, but not so tight as to cause pain or difficulty taking a full breath.
- Material: Most compression body shapers and shapewear are made from nylon and spandex or neoprene materials. Fajas Colombianas, however, are made from high compression Powernet that is an industrial-strength and medical-grade textile designed originally for post-surgery compression.
Faja Wear After a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
Understanding the duration of faja wear is crucial after a Brazilian Butt Lift. The timeline for faja use is typically divided into stages, with Stage 1 faja wear being the most intensive.
- Stage 1: For the first six weeks following your BBL surgery, it’s essential to wear your faja 24 hours a day, except when bathing or laundering the garment. Stage 1 fajas are designed for immediate post-surgery use and should be worn 24 hours a day for the first six weeks. This constant compression helps reduce swelling, supports the newly transferred fat cells, and aids in overall healing. Proper adherence to these guidelines significantly impacts your healing process and the final aesthetic outcome of your BBL.
- Tapering Down: After this initial period, we advise tapering down faja wear to about 12 hours daily for the next six weeks.
- Discontinuation: While compression garments are essential during recovery, we generally recommend discontinuing faja use after three months to allow your body to readjust to normal muscle function.
After eight weeks of continuous faja wear, you’ll typically begin the gradual reduction process. We recommend reducing faja wear to 8-12 hours a day, assessing your body’s response as you decrease usage. During this transition, many patients choose to wear the faja during daytime activities when swelling tends to increase. Some patients find wearing the faja every day provides necessary support, while others may only need to wear it for specific activities.
Long-Term Faja Usage
There are significant advantages to long-term faja usage. Long-term faja usage, typically recommended for up to a year, supports the body’s shape retention as the fascia tissue adapts to the new contours post-surgery. Moreover, consistent use of a faja can prevent complications such as fibrosis or fat necrosis by promoting blood circulation to the treated areas.
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Customizing Your Faja Schedule After a BBL
Flexibility is key when customizing your faja schedule after a BBL. Recovery is a highly individual process, and your needs may vary.
During the initial 7-10 days, wear your Stage 1 faja continuously, incorporating lipo foams for targeted compression. After three weeks, transition to a Stage 2 faja, which you’ll wear for approximately six months. As you progress, we suggest gradually reducing faja wear after eight weeks. Start by removing it for 8-12 hours daily, monitoring your body’s response. Your faja schedule may need adjustments based on factors such as swelling, comfort, and your surgeon’s recommendations. This customization is particularly important if you’ve had additional procedures, like a tummy tuck.
Faja Wear After Liposuction
Stages of Fajas
There are different stages of fajas for post-operative use. Immediately after surgery, you'll wear a Stage 1 or low compression faja. These are made of stretchy, soft materials that provide gentle compression. They are designed to accommodate the initial swelling and ensure comfort during the first recovery phase.
About 12-14 days after surgery, you'll transition to a Stage 2 or medium compression faja. These garments are less stretchy and offer more compression to help further reduce swelling and support the healing tissues.
10-12 weeks post-surgery, most patients can tolerate a Stage 3 or high compression faja. These are more rigid, similar to a corset, and some may have rods around the waist area for additional support. They provide the highest level of compression, which is beneficial once you've passed the immediate post-surgical inflammatory phase.
Stage 1 Faja
It is the faja that you will be wearing when you wake up from your cosmetic surgery procedure. It is a part of the BBL package you will purchase before or during your pre-surgery appointment. Stage 1 faja is a low-compression garment, which means it will fit loosely on the body.
It is important to remember that stage 1 faja is not meant to fit like shapewear or waist trainer. You will also find lipo foams and an abdominal board in your BBL package, along with the stage 1 faja. Lipo foams are rectangular pieces of foam inserted between your garment and the areas where fat was suctioned. They give a uniform smooth compression over the suctioned area.
An abdominal board is placed between the garment and the abdominal area to help smooth out and flatten the tummy area after surgery.
When Will You Be Sized for Your Stage 1 Faja?
The faja must be sized to determine the right fit for your unique body type. You will be sized for your stage 1 faja during the pre-surgery appointment, which is usually a day before the surgery. A trained specialist will measure your body, keeping in mind how it will transform after the procedure.
Fajas are available in small to extra-large sizes to cater to every body type. Sometimes, the faja you wake up in will be a size smaller or larger than the size you were fitted for. It is perfectly fine, as no one can predict how exactly your body will change during the procedure. The pre-surgery fitting can only give a rough estimate of what size you will receive afterward. Once the procedure has been performed, the surgeon will assess your body to determine what size will work best for your new proportions.
Why Does the Stage 1 Faja Feel Loose?
As stage 1 faja has low compression, it is meant to be loose. It should not fit like shapewear or a waist trainer. The purpose of stage 1 faja is to help the body with adequate circulation for proper draining as fluid is inserted into the body to allow for fat removal during liposuction. There has to be sufficient space between your body and the compression garment to ensure proper fluid drainage and skin healing.
You may also notice that your faja which feels snug initially begins to feel loose throughout the first few weeks of healing. It is a good sign and indicates your body is draining and working as it needs to.
Don’t worry if your fajas fit in the waist but are loose around your arms and legs. The fajas are not designed to suit individual heights and body proportions. Their goal is to work on the areas affected by surgery. Thus, a stage 1 faja that fits slightly loose will not affect your surgery results at all.
Can You Wear Undergarments Under Your Stage 2 Faja?
No. You must not wear any undergarments beneath your Stage 1 faja. It is because your skin is very sensitive and thin after liposuction. Added fabric or tight clothing can create ripples and marks in your skin as it is healing.
How Often Should You Wash Your Stage 1 Faja?
It is extremely important to keep your stage 1 faja clean to prevent infections. Once you have been checked by your surgeon after the first pre-op appointment and allowed to shower, you should wash your faja. It is essential to wash your faja every other day to keep it clean and free of body fluids. Make sure when you remove the garment for the first time, proceed slowly as the skin is loose, and you may feel dizzy as the compression is released.
Like faja, lipo foams should also be washed regularly, every day or every other day to prevent infection. You can also buy multiple sets of lipo foams so there is a spare while the other sets are washing. They are not very expensive, so buying a few sets does not cost much. The abdominal board cannot be washed, but if it gets dirty you can clean it with peroxide.
What Is the Best Way to Wash Your Faja?
It is necessary to wash your faja appropriately to ensure the garment retains its elastic characteristics.
Follow these instructions on washing your faja correctly:
- Wash your garment with moderate detergent in cool or cold water by hand. Wash as soon as possible to avoid blood stains.
- You can also remove blood stains with a pre-soaking solution of a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a gallon of water.
- Use the air-dry option on the dryer or lay it flat and air or tumble dry for low knits. Avoid dry cleaning.
- Do not use bleach, stain removers, and fabric softeners, as they can affect the fabric’s stretch and moisture-handling qualities.
How Long Should You Wear Your Stage 1 Faja?
You should wear your stage 1 faja for about 3 weeks after the procedure. You must try and wear your faja all the time except when you have to shower and wash it but make sure to put it on right after. You can purchase two sets of fajas so you can wear the other set while the other one is washed and drying.
Your surgeon will recommend that you sleep in your faja.
Stage 2 Faja
After wearing your stage 1 faja for about 3 weeks, you will switch over to stage 2 faja. You can get this at one of your post-op appointments. The stage 2 faja is a high-compression garment and should feel much tighter than the previous stage faja. It will be the same size as your stage 1 faja, but this garment is worn without using lipo forms and an abdominal board.
How Long Should You Wear Stage 2 Faja?
Once you switch to stage 2 faja, you should continue wearing it for six months. You will have to learn to sleep with your stage 2 faja as well. You will be required to wear your faja throughout the day and night, except when you are showering or washing your garment. Until you are done with your stage 2 faja, you cannot start waist training.
Can You Wear Undergarments Under Your Stage 2 Faja?
Yes. By the time you start wearing your stage 2 faja, you can wear underwear beneath the compression garment. Keep an eye on your skin to see how it is healing, and make sure no visible marks are forming from the underwear.
How Often Should You Wash Your Stage 2 Faja?
It is very important to keep your stage 2 faja clean to prevent any infections. Try washing your faja every other day to keep it clean and free of body fluids or dust.
Proper Care and Maintenance
- Wash the garment everyday. You can wash it in the washing machine, but be sure to hang it to dry.
- Avoid Heat: Do not put your faja in the dryer, as the heat can wear out the elastic. Hand wash or use a gentle machine cycle and let it air dry to maintain its integrity and compression properties.
- Proper Wear: Always wear the faja properly, including any straps if they are designed with them. Taking the straps off can alter the intended compression and support, leading to discomfort and suboptimal results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering the Wrong Size: One of the most common mistakes is ordering the wrong size because the process is often done online. Sizing can be challenging, and it's crucial to measure yourself accurately. If you can’t try the garments at a local store, ensure you understand the refund policies and order ahead of time if you need to return or exchange items.
- Wearing a Stage 3 Faja Too Soon: Another mistake is wearing a Stage 3 or high compression faja too soon. This can cause extreme discomfort, disrupt circulation, and lead to fibrosis due to excessive tightness when tissues are still swollen and tender. Always follow your doctor's advice on when to transition to a higher-compression garment.
- Altering the Garment: Sewing a faja to adjust the size can completely distort the compression and make it uncomfortable to wear. Instead, plan to buy at least two Stage 1 fajas, one Stage 2 and one Stage 3. If the faja starts to fit loosely around the waist, use additional lipo foam underneath to increase compression.