Compression vest compulsary?

[cancerian2u]

Guys,
It's my 6th day after surgery and i have been having very discomfort with this compression vest. What is the use of this? What if i dont wear this? or can i skip wearing it for about 5-6 hrs a day? The discomfort because of this is more than the actual pain/disomfort because of surgery....please advise.

Thanks in advance...

[Paa_Paw]

Your surgeon will use  whatever they have had good results with in the past. We hear from many men who have significant amounts of post operative swelling or hematomas. The one person who has the most to gain or lose is the patient. Do not be foolish enough to try and second guess the surgeon and change the post operative regimen.

[headheldhigh01]

second that.  did he say how long to wear it?  you really want this to come out right, if it takes a little more discomfort, a few more days, a week, whatever, is really nothing for long-term results.  you can ask if it's too tight, but this is one to discuss with the doc. 

[tttdone]

wear a small tshirt or tanktop under the vest. sometimes this relieves the discomfort

[Copespo]

As far as I understand wearing this vest prevents from blood building up in the chest since its tightly compressed at all times. If you surgeon didnt tell you to take it off yet, then stick to it, I mean you suffered with the gyne discomfort for such a long time why not just wait it out a bit more with the vest.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Yes, wearing a really snug compression garment 24/7 (except for a shower) is perhaps the most important aspect about your gyne surgery, except for the surgery itself.  Let me give you an analogy:  If you were to twist your ankle, the first thing you do is wrap it tight with an Ace bandage and elevate your leg to reduce swelling.  What does the Ace do?  It puts PRESSURE on the area, which in turn will reduce swelling, stop or diminish any post op bleeding, diminish pain and hasten healing.  That is exactly what a compression garment does for your chest after surgery.  Think of it as an Ace bandage for your chest -- although it is easier to put on and take off rather than wrapping yourself in yards of Ace bandages.

The compression garment is admittedly a royal pain in the XXX!  But it is absolutely necessary.  I request my patients to wear it a minimum of 3-4 weeks after surgery -- and more if they can bear it.  The tighter you wear it, the less swelling, the less bruising, the faster the healing.  Many of my patients actually get used to it and really feel "secure" while wearing it.  For example, if you are not wearing it and go over a bump in your car, you will actually feel the pull and discomfort in your chest.  Wearing the garment minimizes that.

Please bear in mind that each surgeon has his/her own regimen for recommending a compression garment, based on his own experience and preferences.  My best advice:  you trusted your surgeon to do your operation -- so trust him and follow his post op directions to the letter.  If you don't, you are only harming yourself.

Dr Jacobs

[Noseguard]

One Suggestion

Dr. Jacobs gave me a binder not a vest after surgery.  I used it regularly for about a week then it became not just uncomfortable but painful in spots.  I bought a vest and began alternating between the two.  Typically I would wear the vest during the day and the binder at night.

The binder tended to slip down during the day, but stayed in place nicely at night laying down.  The vest stayed up better.  They both put pressure on my chest, but by alternating it kept the discomfort down.

[Allhopeaside]

i have a quite snug tank top compression garment from underworks to wear after surgery. how tight is too tight? as long as im not uncomfortable in it id think its ok, but doesnt that area need to breathe at all and allow alot of blood to get to it to heal? some advice would be helpful if possible... thanks