11 days post op, the binder is killing me

[Mosiak]

I had DI on the 27th of November and of course I gotta wear a binder, as we all know.

I've been wearing it for 11 days almost none stop, I've only ever taken it off for about 10 minutes at a time 4-5 times per day and now I've reached a point where I just cant wear it anymore, I cant!

My chest just aches something awful while wearing it, my sternum is very achy and the skin where I have chest hairs is really achy now while in the binder. I took it off a couple of hours ago and I feel a little better although I can feel pretty well the swells and over all tenderness, but its not really too bad, just pretty tender.

I should be ok giving the binder a rest at this point yea?

I really have no choice, I cannot possibly wear it as much as I did the first 11 days. The most pain I've had in this recovery is actually the pain the binder is causing right now, everything else has been pretty easy and pain free.

I don't have my second post op appointment until the 14th, I can't wear the binder non stop until then, this level of discomfort has reached heights ive never known, since I never used to bind to begin with.

[Elis]

Yep it's definitely the worse. I found the itchiness unbearable. I had to wear it for 6 days until the surgeon could take the bandages off. But gave myself a few min breaks just so I could give myself a break. Everything healed fine. A brief break won't stop the healing process.

Was told by the surgeon after my post op to wear the binder if going outside but just couldn't bear to do it. Was careful that no one accidentally bumped into mu chest.

Just have to grin and bear it and think how it'll be worth it in the end. Had DI too

[Jailyn]

I have not had any top surgery yet! From what I hear though the binder is a pain for FTM/MTF's alike. It is important for draining the fluids and keeping staples/stitches in place. You only have to deal with it so long then you get to be happier in life overall, I know I will be. All in good time though.

[Mosiak]

I have not had any top surgery yet! From what I hear though the binder is a pain for FTM/MTF's alike. It is important for draining the fluids and keeping staples/stitches in place. You only have to deal with it so long then you get to be happier in life overall, I know I will be. All in good time though.

The binder is by far the worst part of my recovery, I just put it back on after my 3 hour break and I feel like my sternum is literally broken.
I've already had my stitched removed and the drains, the only dressing I have is couple of hospital grade band-aids, they're quite large, and of course I have the scar tapes things...

I am really trying to hang in there but I really think the binder is beginning to bruise my rib joints by the sternum or something along those lines, as well as pulling every single chest hair.

Since you said no chest surgery yet, I can assume you plan on having breasts surgery of some kind, and as far as I know the compression is standard for any breast related surgery, I definitely recommend buying your own binder for this, I just got what the hospital provided and I'm sure there's better stuff out there.

[Dena]

I don't have any great advice but if you have a phone number or email for the doctor, try contacting the doctor for advice. It's possible if you sit up or stand, you can leave the binder off for an extended period of time. An example of this is after you injure a foot, you are required to elevate the foot to reduce the swelling. As you are nearing the two week mark, it's also possible the binder may be left off for longer periods of time.

[Kylo]

Is it possible they've given you something too tight to wear? If you didn't bind to begin with, you'd not have found what sort of compression level was generally comfortable for you and know when something was much too tight. If you're experiencing physical pain from it - when you describe it as feeling like breaking the sternum... that sounds like a red flag. We're advised not to wear any that actually crush the ribs in too much in general, or cause pain or breathlessness. A bit of tenderness would be normal following the surgery but I don't think it should feel like it's breaking your bones.

[Mosiak]

Is it possible they've given you something too tight to wear? If you didn't bind to begin with, you'd not have found what sort of compression level was generally comfortable for you and know when something was much too tight. If you're experiencing physical pain from it - when you describe it as feeling like breaking the sternum... that sounds like a red flag. We're advised not to wear any that actually crush the ribs in too much in general, or cause pain or breathlessness. A bit of tenderness would be normal following the surgery but I don't think it should feel like it's breaking your bones.

The surgeon actually said the binder was one size too big and she wanted to put me in the size below but it wasnt available at the hospital, The binder in general never felt too tight for those 11 days I wore it. it definitely felt tight, tighter than any shirt ive ever worn but it didnt begin to cause my any major discomfort until today.

The tenderness is definitely present but it feels like deep bruises, which I guess they must be, that feeling is not too bad. the worst pain is in my breastbone and skin irritation it must be from the near constant compression for 11 days.

I get intimidate relief when I remove the binder. I want to follow my surgeons instructions but I really don't think I can handle this pain anymore.
She did not provide any means to contact her, except to just leave a message at the hospital

I'm gonna reduce the usage of the binder to only while I sleep and while I go outside to move around a lot.

maybe that's not wise, but its the weekend, my surgeon is off duty so I  can't ask her advice right now.

I never expected that binding would be the worst part of the recovery 

[Kylo]

I would take it off temporarily. Skin probably could use some airing out after 11 days and you should be okay with some time out by now.

I'm told binding is only super important during the first few 3-5 days post op. You should be permitted to change dressings and have a little time off from it after a week. But I was also told you should be sure to sleep in it and wear it when you're doing any physical activity including walking for the first couple of weeks.

[Mosiak]

I would take it off temporarily. Skin probably could use some airing out after 11 days and you should be okay with some time out by now.

I'm told binding is only super important during the first few 3-5 days post op. You should be permitted to change dressings and have a little time off from it after a week. But I was also told you should be sure to sleep in it and wear it when you're doing any physical activity including walking for the first couple of weeks.

My surgeon definitely did stress the importance of the binder after surgery, and I do plan on sleeping in it for sure, lying down flat takes some of the pressure off my chest caused by the binder so I think it'll be ok, and my days are mostly just sitting around doing not much so having it off during those periods I hope will be ok.

my healing is going really really well, I am almost up to full mobility, and I feel no major hindrance from the wounds themselves.

Thanks for your replies btw, I appreciate your time    

[Mr.X]

In the Netherlands they also stress the importance of the binder, and you have to wear it 6 weeks after surgery.
When in doubt, definitely contact your surgeon. Just call your hospital's department and ask if you can talk to the surgeon (he probably has no time) or his assistant/someone of the nursing staff. They should be able to tell you if you can take the binder off for long periods of time.

11 days may seem like a long time after surgery, but you are far from healed. You may still need the binder. Only your surgeon and his staff will know for sure. You wouldn't want to do something and then end up with a lesser result which could/may have been prevented.

Good luck!