How to Choose the Right Faja After BBL Surgery

Your compression garment — called a faja in Colombia — is not just a recovery accessory. It is a medical device that directly influences your final result. The right faja supports your new contours as they heal. The wrong one (or no garment at all) can lead to uneven results, prolonged swelling, and fluid complications.

Stage 1 vs Stage 2: What They Are

Stage 1 faja (weeks 0–4)

This is the garment you wear immediately after surgery. Stage 1 fajas provide moderate compression — firm enough to control swelling and support the surgical areas, but with enough flexibility to accommodate the dramatic swelling of the first few weeks. They typically have front hook-and-eye closures for easy on/off (important when you have limited mobility), are made from softer, more breathable fabric, and often include an open-crotch design for bathroom access without removing the entire garment. Most surgeons include a Stage 1 faja in the surgical fee.

Stage 2 faja (weeks 4–8+)

Once initial swelling has subsided and your body has started to settle into its new shape, you transition to a Stage 2 faja. These provide firmer, more targeted compression. They are designed to refine and maintain the contours your surgeon created. Stage 2 fajas are typically more structured, with stronger compression fabric and may include additional features like built-in foam padding for targeted shaping. You usually need to purchase this separately.

Why Buy in Colombia

Colombia is the global capital of compression garment manufacturing. Brands like Fajas Salome, Fajas MYD, Fajas Colombianas, and Ann Chery produce high-quality post-surgical fajas that are sold worldwide — but at 40–60% lower prices when purchased locally. A Stage 2 faja that costs $120–$180 USD online typically costs $50–$80 in Colombia.

More importantly, buy your faja after surgery, not before. Your body measurements change significantly after liposuction — your waist will be smaller, your proportions will be different, and pre-surgery sizing charts will not be accurate. Getting fitted in person at a Colombian faja shop after your surgery ensures the garment actually fits your new body.

Your surgeon or recovery house can direct you to nearby shops. In Medellín, there are compression garment stores within walking distance of most clinics in El Poblado.

Fit and Sizing Tips

• Firm but not painful. The garment should feel tight and supportive but should not cause sharp pain, restrict breathing, or create deep indentations in your skin. If it hurts, it is too small.
• No rolling or bunching. A well-fitted faja lies smooth against your body. If the edges roll up or the fabric bunches in areas, the size or style is wrong.
• Check the buttock area carefully. For BBL patients, the faja should support the midsection (where liposuction was performed) but should not compress the buttocks excessively. Some BBL-specific fajas have an open or less compressed buttock panel to avoid crushing the newly transferred fat.
• Buy two. You will be wearing your faja 20+ hours per day. Having two lets you wash one while wearing the other. Garments lose compression over time with washing, so starting with two ensures consistent support throughout your recovery.

How Long to Wear It

Most surgeons prescribe garment wear for 6–8 weeks minimum. The typical schedule is 23 hours/day for the first 4 weeks (removing only for bathing and garment washing), then 12–16 hours/day for weeks 4–8. Some patients continue wearing a lighter garment for several months, particularly during exercise, for additional support as the body continues to settle.

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