I had my top surgery last Thursday, and was told I need to keep compression on for a month 24/7. They gave me an ace/tensor bandage to wrap around myself. It's all good, except the damn thing keeps almost coming off, and I am barely doing anything. It also kind of chafes my armpits, and I'm worried the gauze underneath is going to pop out. So, my question, does anyone have an inexpensive compression vest they can recommend? Most of the ones made especially post surgery are ridiculously expensive, and are things I likely will never wear again. An Under Armour vest, however, I could possibly use again. The problem with those is that I am not sure if they'd give enough compression. I have never tried one, so I would indeed like opinions on that. Also, if it's possible, I would need something that doesn't squish the abdomen too much since I have a belly that would hurt if I squished it. Thanks in advance!

I personally like this one.

http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=64236

I'm not sure how helpful this will be but this my the compression vest that I was given in hospital. I woke up with it on after surgery and I have to wear it for 6 weeks. I'm not sure where it came from but it is very similar to love boat as it is made from lycra. It has a zip down the front with clips behind it that are similar to bra clips, the shoulders are also velcro to make it a bit easier to get on and off.

The strap at the bottom does squish a bit on the belly though. But in all it's not too bad.

Wow, 6 weeks is a long time.  It doesn't look too terrible, though.  How is it?

It is interesting how different surgeons have different methods.  My surgery is in 9 days and I believe that after Garramone removes the bandages (after 7 days), you only have to put on the ace bandage if you feel the swelling is a problem (someone feel free to correct me if this is wrong).

I am starting to wonder about the pain for the first time.  I wonder how it will compare to a past surgery I had.  It seems like there is a range as to how long people take pain meds.  What about you Xander?  Pain meds for long?

Yeah it's weird all of the different methods.

I had no bandages as such, I had a bit of gauze padding inside my binder for a 3 days. I got my drains removed at day 3 and sent home with some smaller bits of gauze to just ease the pressure placed on my chest by the binder.
I have tape on my scars and pads on my nipples which i am getting removed with my stitches tomorrow (day 8 ).

Pain meds for me were Endone (oxycodone hydrochloride) for two days. Used pretty sparingly, I think I took two maybe four times in total? I only needed it once and just took it the other times because why not?
Plus I was taking regular Paracetamol every 4 hours which I am still taking (doctors orders not to lapse).
I haven't had a lot of pain, I was given another 10 Endone to take at home but I haven't used any.

Here's another more helpful pic of my binder

Quote from: Brett on October 01, 2013, 10:53:25 PM
Wow, 6 weeks is a long time.  It doesn't look too terrible, though.  How is it?

It is interesting how different surgeons have different methods.  My surgery is in 9 days and I believe that after Garramone removes the bandages (after 7 days), you only have to put on the ace bandage if you feel the swelling is a problem (someone feel free to correct me if this is wrong).

Not really correcting you, but he's changed on that. He is asking people to wear it for two weeks (though you can take off and put on) as he feels people are forgetting they had surgery. He has had people do yoga and even jet ski a week after surgery!!!  I called and asked because it is going to be hard for me to do this as I live alone. They know how old I am and said they didn't think it was a huge deal. So I'll ask if he has a different suggestion.

I agree 6 weeks is a long time, and there seems to be a lot of difference about this. I know someone who just had surgery with Dr. Rumer. He just got his vest off after two weeks.


--Jay