COMPRESSION VEST HOW LONG.

[bigtymer11235]

My doctor told me to keep it on for 2 weeks post op and then take it off and I can start exercising after 2 weeks.  Doesnt this seem too early,, because after 8 days post op I noticed lots of swelling and fluid buildup.  Does compression help reduce the swelling fluid or should I stop wearing the vest?

[SC GameCOCKS]

I would wear it for ATLEAST 3 weeks....then after that a tight underarmor shirt for another.

[omahaguy1234]

i was told a full 4-6 weeks, and definitely no lifting (weights) or working out until at least after week 6...

[halo2006]

i was told 3 weeks. and working out after 4 weeks. just see how your body is doing, everyone heals at a different rate.

[jc71]

Like halo says, everyone heals different.

I was told to wear my compression vest for 30 days and start lifting after 6 weeks.  That's exactly what I did and I'm happy.

Do what the dr. says. He knows how much work he did on you and how quickly you're likely to recover. He knows your medical history, it's best to do what he says.

Besides, if you do what he says and the results don't look good, you can always to back and give him hell.

[docfore4]

Can i just use an under armour instead of the compression vest after week 1? It's pretty tight on me and actually seems like it provides more compression than the vest and its less obtrusive and obvious than the vest is.


Anyone know of any pros/cons?

[nukem2k5]

Ok, people often debate this topic.  You should wear it as long as you feel comfortable.  Many people like the support and security, as even just walking without a vest post-op hurts like hell.

My PS has been a surgeon for 30 years and told me he's never seen a difference in results from people wearing the vest for 1 week versus 6 months.  He only instructed me to wear my vest for 1 week and that worked fine for me.

Like I said, it hurt to walk from the vibration, and this is definitely reason for people to want to continue wearing their vest, however it's really not necessary to wear past 7 days or so, in terms of having your skin adhere to the tissue.

That's really the biggest focus for the vest: to have the skin adhere to the new tissue.  This process takes roughly 1 week, which is why you're free to remove it afterward.  I've seen people instructed to wear their vest for over a month and I think that's a little ridiculous considering my experiences.  However, like stated previously, many people heal differently.

Generally though, I say you're fine to wear it for 1-2 weeks and then take it off.

[nukem2k5]

Can i just use an under armour instead of the compression vest after week 1? It's pretty tight on me and actually seems like it provides more compression than the vest and its less obtrusive and obvious than the vest is.


Anyone know of any pros/cons?

Go for it.  Just use your head - if it hurts, don't do it.  Obviously no real weight training for a good 4-6 weeks, and even then, start out light.  I'm surprised that you feel able to even move your arms enough to put on an Under Armor shirt.  

[SC GameCOCKS]

Go for it.  Just use your head - if it hurts, don't do it.  Obviously no real weight training for a good 4-6 weeks, and even then, start out light.  I'm surprised that you feel able to even move your arms enough to put on an Under Armor shirt.  

If he had just excision...he could move his arms enough to put it on just two days after. My revision was excision only and I was essentially painfree 2 days post op

[nukem2k5]

Yeah, sometimes I forget that I had the incision in my armpits.  This would be why it hurt to lift my arms for 2-3 weeks.