Post-op ace bandage / compression question

[newyorker75]

Hey guys,

So I just had my post-op with Garramone. It all looks good. He said to wear the Ace bandage for 2 more weeks. No mention of it being optional, but from reading posts on hear, I gather this is a new approach for him.

The problem is, the ace bandage is super long and is pretty hard to put on all by myself (right now a friend is helping me, but I go home tomorrow).

Anyone have any recommendations for how to get it on? And for how tight to make it? I feel like it pushes my chest together and makes sort of a "cleavage" thing happen... Not sure if that matters though. Couldn't find much on youtube.

Anyway, any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Mel

[aleon515]

There's no problem cutting it in half (or smaller). I was told I could do it, and asked him. Yes it's fine. No big deal.
It's actually kind of optional, if you push the question. I think he feels that guys will forget they had top surgery and start doing crazy stuff. The story he tells is someoen going jet skiing two weeks after surgery. I'm not sure this story really happened. But if you ask him he will tell it.

Don't cut in fourths, it's a bit small. I'd try half, and if you can't manage that make sure you can go around yourself twice.

--Jay

Hey guys,

So I just had my post-op with Garramone. It all looks good. He said to wear the Ace bandage for 2 more weeks. No mention of it being optional, but from reading posts on hear, I gather this is a new approach for him.

The problem is, the ace bandage is super long and is pretty hard to put on all by myself (right now a friend is helping me, but I go home tomorrow).

Anyone have any recommendations for how to get it on? And for how tight to make it? I feel like it pushes my chest together and makes sort of a "cleavage" thing happen... Not sure if that matters though. Couldn't find much on youtube.

Anyway, any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Mel

[HeyTrace19]

My surgeon sent me home with a zip-front compression shirt to wear for three weeks post procedure. I don't know how I ever would have wrapped an ace bandage around myself post-op!  Hope you have some help...

You may be able to find something like this if there is a medical supply store near you:


http://www.thesurgerystore.com/compression_garment/compressionvestarmzipper.htm

[aleon515]

Dr Garramone only requires the tensor bandage. By cutting it, you will definitely not have to buy something like a surgical binder. I found it's comfortable enough, and not too hard to put on once cut.

--Jay

[newyorker75]

Dr Garramone only requires the tensor bandage. By cutting it, you will definitely not have to buy something like a surgical binder. I found it's comfortable enough, and not too hard to put on once cut.

--Jay

Thanks Jay, this really helps. How did you get it to attach once you cut it? Since there's velcro on both ends, I'm just trying to figure out how to close it on the inside and outside after cutting it.

[Bimmer Guy]

Thanks Jay, this really helps. How did you get it to attach once you cut it? Since there's velcro on both ends, I'm just trying to figure out how to close it on the inside and outside after cutting it.

I wouldn't suggest cutting it in half.  I remember it wasn't long enough to do that with.  I mean, it could be done, but not enough "wrap arounds", if you do.  That was a mistake I made.

Remember that there is no compression/recovery/healing purpose to wearing this garment.  It's purpose is to remind the wearer that they just had surgery and shouldn't be lifting their arms or doing other stupid stuff!  Other surgeons give compression vests as it is part of the person's treatment.
Garramone's surgery and treatment model does not include compression of the chest after the first 6/7 days.  He wouldn't give us anything  if there wasn't a history of guys doing stupid ->-bleeped-<- right after surgery.  That is why Garramone started giving them to people.  People can be boneheads and he needs to protect his works of art! ha!I never worn mine since he made it clear to me that it served no medical purpose(plus, after cutting it in half it really wasn't doable anyway.  It would have been fine if I had just cut 1/3 of the cloth away from the garment.

[aleon515]

I must have had  a bigger bandage. But a good idea just to cut a bit off and then add a bit more if that doesn't work.
But yeah the purpose is to remind you not to do silly stuff. I don't recall the double velcro thing, so I can't recall. It wasn't hard to attach it, as I recall.


--Jay

I wouldn't suggest cutting it in half.  I remember it wasn't long enough to do that with.  I mean, it could be done, but not enough "wrap arounds", if you do.  That was a mistake I made.

Remember that there is no compression/recovery/healing purpose to wearing this garment.  It's purpose is to remind the wearer that they just had surgery and shouldn't be lifting their arms or doing other stupid stuff!  Other surgeons give compression vests as it is part of the person's treatment.
Garramone's surgery and treatment model does not include compression of the chest after the first 6/7 days.  He wouldn't give us anything  if there wasn't a history of guys doing stupid ->-bleeped-<- right after surgery.  That is why Garramone started giving them to people.  People can be boneheads and he needs to protect his works of art! ha!I never worn mine since he made it clear to me that it served no medical purpose(plus, after cutting it in half it really wasn't doable anyway.  It would have been fine if I had just cut 1/3 of the cloth away from the garment.

[newyorker75]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I have very little swelling, if any, so I don't see the purpose of the bandage except for protection. I'll still wear it for that reason, especially when going outside and on the subway, but I'm much happier when it's not on.

The one he gave me is probably 10 feet long. It's huge! So maybe I'll just cut it in half and pin it closed or something.

One other question: did you guys hunch over for a while? I can't seem to stop doing that. Garramone said it's my body's way of protecting itself, but it's now killing my back. Of course, I'm afraid to straighten up 'cause I can feel it pulling, etc. What did you guys do?

Thanks again.

[Bimmer Guy]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I have very little swelling, if any, so I don't see the purpose of the bandage except for protection. I'll still wear it for that reason, especially when going outside and on the subway, but I'm much happier when it's not on.

The one he gave me is probably 10 feet long. It's huge! So maybe I'll just cut it in half and pin it closed or something.

One other question: did you guys hunch over for a while? I can't seem to stop doing that. Garramone said it's my body's way of protecting itself, but it's now killing my back. Of course, I'm afraid to straighten up 'cause I can feel it pulling, etc. What did you guys do?

Thanks again.

10 ft?  Indeed I had a short one!

I did the hunching thing too.  So funny you brought that up as I forgot all about that.  I just stopped doing it after a while.  I suppose I stopped feeling a need to protect the area (like Garramone said), and also that pulling feeling went away as I healed too.  I also tried to be more conscious of standing up straight.  I think it was for a couple of months, honestly, but that may be an exaggeration.  That time period is all muddled together.  My back didn't hurt though.  Maybe just push yourself to lift your shoulders back?  It has only been a week though, so personally I wouldn't want to push it too much.  Sorry I can't be more help!

[aleon515]

You got the short straw Brett. I am pretty sure I had at LEAST 10 ft. Leland is who cut it in half! I actually cut it when I got home (though maybe a bit too much, but I could get all the way around me.

I did not do the hunch thing, I've seen enough people doing it. I made an effort to stand up straight. A lot of guys were complaining re: back pain, so I saw that hunch and wondered if it was the cause, so I made an effort to not do it. No it didn't hurt.

--Jay

10 ft?  Indeed I had a short one!

I did the hunching thing too.  So funny you brought that up as I forgot all about that.  I just stopped doing it after a while.  I suppose I stopped feeling a need to protect the area (like Garramone said), and also that pulling feeling went away as I healed too.  I also tried to be more conscious of standing up straight.  I think it was for a couple of months, honestly, but that may be an exaggeration.  That time period is all muddled together.  My back didn't hurt though.  Maybe just push yourself to lift your shoulders back?  It has only been a week though, so personally I wouldn't want to push it too much.  Sorry I can't be more help!