Why Does My Compression Garment Feel Looser After a Few Weeks?

How changing measurements as swelling subsides affect garment fit, and when new measurements or a different size may be needed.

An Expected Change

Many patients notice that their garment feels looser after several weeks. This often reflects a positive change: swelling is subsiding.

Swelling increases circumference measurements during early recovery. As it subsides, measurements change and the garment fits more loosely.

Why It Matters

A loose garment no longer provides balanced support. It may slip, roll or stop fitting evenly around the body.

This interrupts consistent compression, which is why changes in fit should be noticed and reported.

What You Should Do

If your garment feels noticeably loose, ask your healthcare team about taking new measurements rather than buying a smaller size on your own.

New measurements allow fit to be assessed at all relevant points. Choosing a smaller size simply to make the garment tighter is not an appropriate approach.