Compression shirts after surgery

[Ian68]

Hi guys,

I was wondering what your experiences were with compression shirts after top surgery - how long did you wear them, and did you have to use a specific kind or was a general athletic compression shirt sufficient?

Thanks!

[HeyTrace19]

My surgeon sent me home in a zip up compression shirt and told me to wear it for three weeks.  It helped to hold the bandaging/padding in place and actually made me feel a little more protected.  Other than needing to launder it frequently, I did not find it too cumbersome.  I highly doubt that I would have been able to lift an athletic style compression t-shirt over my head at that time, though it would probably serve the same purpose. 

[FTMax]

My surgeon provided a compression vest to wear post-op for 4 weeks to help keep bandages in place initially, limit swelling, and provide an extra layer of protection after the bandages came off. As soon as I felt up for it post-op, I went to a local outlet mall and picked up a bunch of Under Armor compression shirts. The vest really started to bother me around the end of my second week, so I called and got permission to take it off early since I wasn't swelling.

I'd say any type of athletic compression shirt is fine. You can probably pick up some decent ones at Target or Walmart. Just don't try to get them at the beginning of any kind of sports season if you're going that route. Both of the stores I initially went to were cleaned out.

[Ian68]

Thanks, Max! 

I'm planning to buy the Under Armor before surgery so, I should be OK on purchase time .  Thanks for the heads-up, though! 

I guess I'll wait to see what my surgeon says.  After the compression vest comes off, I'll probably wear a compression shirt for another month or two (I am super paranoid about aesthetics).

[FTMax]

Yeah, see what they say. If it's one of the big names, I'm sure someone around the forum could tell you what they recommend.

If you have the option, I'd wait until after surgery to make your purchase. I definitely need a way different size now than I would have been buying pre-surgery.

[jumpthenexttrain]

I was wrapped up in an ace wrap after surgery until my drains came out, which from what ive seen is normal. After that my surgeon said I didn't need to wear anything but that I could wear an under armor type of shirt if I wanted. I have swelling on one side still ( the side which had complications and had to be operated on a second time for a hematoma) but all of the surgeons and nurses at his practice said I didn't need a compression vest, but I have to wonder if it would've helped the swelling if I had worn one. I'm still wearing just an under armor shirt now

[SWNID]

I wore the Marena post-op compression vast for two weeks or so. Then until 1 months post op, i was wearing athletic compression shirts from UA when I ran, but not when I was just sitting around.

[Bimmer Guy]

Thanks, Max! 

I'm planning to buy the Under Armor before surgery so, I should be OK on purchase time .  Thanks for the heads-up, though! 

I guess I'll wait to see what my surgeon says.  After the compression vest comes off, I'll probably wear a compression shirt for another month or two (I am super paranoid about aesthetics).

Garramone does not want your chest compressed.  He gives you back your ace bandage (the one you wore tightly for 6 days after surgery), he says you can wrap around to remind yourself that you have had surgery so that you don't "over do it", but you are not supposed to tighten it for compression.

You need to wait to pick your surgeon before buying anything.  Don't make any assumptions about their "after care".