compression after top surgery

[Benjamin]

I had top surgery on Friday.  Went back today.  Had the drains removed.  The surgeon then sent me on my way with just a bandage around my chest.  (Sort of like a wide Ace.)  Don't most guys wear a post-surgical compression vest?  If so, how many days/weeks after surgery did you wear one?   

[Camden]

I had a pretty big compression "thing" it went around me almost twice. (Ok yaeh, I'm pretty small but still it was really big) and I wore mine for almost a month because my muscles would get tired after a while.

[Mister]

Yes, for about 14 days after surgery.  What i wore was similar to what you're talking about.

[GnomeKid]

I just had an ace bandage type bandage that I wore for the first 3 weeks...

[Dennis]

Yeah, I think it was three or four weeks. Apparently keeps swelling down.

I wore it for so long it felt like my ribs were floating away when I took it off finally. The surgeon told me how long to wear it and I followed his directions.

Dennis

[sneakersjay]

I wore mine for the 2 weeks prescribed, then added a few days.  Then said the heck with it.  Whatever I did was pretty much to the letter of what Dr. Brownstein prescribed and it worked well for me.

My compression vest was really an abdominal binder per the label, and he cut away some of the fabric for my armpits.  It wasn't anything spectacular or specific.  It was very tight the first 5 days that he said DO NOT REMOVE, and my ribs ached.

Jay

[Benjamin]

Hmm.  OK.  Sounds like the same type of wrap you all had (except for Jay's.) 

My surgeon didn't give me any instructions about it.  He wrapped it around me after taking out my drains.  Mostly, it seemed, he was doing so to hold the gauze in place (covering the small incision) to stop the tiny amount of bleeding induced when the drains were taken out.  He didn't tell me not to take off the wrap, so I've been taking it off to shower and then putting it back on. 

The wrap is losing it's elasticity, big time. 

Also, Dennis, I remember you had mentioned once that you slept on your back for 5 weeks after surgery.  Was that per surgeon's orders? 



 

[Dennis]

Yeah I think he did tell me to sleep on my back for as long as I had the binder on. Comfort-wise it was all that worked anyway for the first little while. I had the same wrap Jay did, because I went to Brownstein. He'd remember the instructions better than I do, because mine was almost 4 years ago.

Dennis

[sneakersjay]

I'm one month post-op and pretty darn comfortable.  An occasional twinge if I move an odd way.  I can now sleep on my left side; for some reason there is discomfort when I lay on my right side still.  I'm pretty  much a back sleeper so it's not really an issue.  Immediately post-op I slept on an incline/reclined on the bed so it was easier to get up.

If you want a better binder they do sell back braces and abdominal binders in places like CVS and Walgreens.

Did you have a DI or peri?  Because I think with peri you need to be compressed longer than with DI.

[Benjamin]

If you want a better binder they do sell back braces and abdominal binders in places like CVS and Walgreens.

Funny timing, Jay:  Prior to reading your last post, I had just returned home from buying an abdominal binder at CVS.  I think it'll work well, with a few alterations.  I hadn't thought of cutting out the armpits.  Great idea! 

Called my surgeons office yesterday morning and, of course, yep, he wanted me to stayed wrapped up.  I can't imagine NOT being wrapped for a few weeks.  As Camden mentioned, the area is so weak.

BTW, I had double incision. 

Thanks for the info, everyone. 

An aside note:  I'm only a week into this, and yet I'm going crazy not being allowed to exercise.  I've been a runner (as well as doing upper body work) for the past 25 years.     

[Camden]

Benjamin,
I think sitting still that long was the hardest for me too. I got pretty cranky around the 4-5th week, cause you feel good, but still can't do normal exercise stuff.

[Benjamin]

Benjamin,
I think sitting still that long was the hardest for me too. I got pretty cranky around the 4-5th week, cause you feel good, but still can't do normal exercise stuff.

I hear ya. 

How long did you have to wait to get back to your regular exercise routine?  (What are you into?  Running?  Weights?  Or?) 

Surgery was two weeks ago yesterday.  I'm able to use a recumbant exercise bike now. 

My surgeon said yesterday I could start running again next week and then could start lifting weights again the week after that.  But man, IMO, sounds like way too much way too soon. 

Quite frankly, I don't trust his judgement nowadays.  Gonna listen to my body, not the surgeon. 

[sneakersjay]

Benjamin,
I think sitting still that long was the hardest for me too. I got pretty cranky around the 4-5th week, cause you feel good, but still can't do normal exercise stuff.

I hear ya. 

How long did you have to wait to get back to your regular exercise routine?  (What are you into?  Running?  Weights?  Or?) 

Surgery was two weeks ago yesterday.  I'm able to use a recumbant exercise bike now. 

My surgeon said yesterday I could start running again next week and then could start lifting weights again the week after that.  But man, IMO, sounds like way too much way too soon. 

Quite frankly, I don't trust his judgement nowadays.  Gonna listen to my body, not the surgeon.

FWIW Dr. Brownstein said 6 weeks before weight lifting, and gradual return to normal activities after 2 weeks.  So listening to your body is the way to go.

Jay

[Benjamin]

FWIW Dr. Brownstein said 6 weeks before weight lifting, and gradual return to normal activities after 2 weeks.  So listening to your body is the way to go.
Jay

Thanks, Jay.  I feel like I'm on my own.  Not getting solid advice from my surgeon.  So I've had to structure my own recovery by reading Brownstein's website; reading what you guys write here; and listening to my body. 

20/20 hindsight:  I fell into the hands of an "only sorta" competent surgeon.  Not happy with his work on my chest, either.     

Ben

[Camden]

I do Taekwondo 5 days a week and race motocross on the weekends. I tried to start back to Taekwondo at 4 weeks but I was still too sore. I waited till 6 weeks and then I was fine. I wore the binder the first week or two. I also got back on the motorcycle at 6 weeks and also used the binder the first few weeks. Then I was fine. I know it was torture waiting!

[Benjamin]

Camden,

Cool stuff you're into!  No wonder waiting was torture!

Ben