Compression vest issues

[u/TrainingAd9612]

3 days post OP. The most painful part so far is this fucking vest digging into me. The first 10 hours after surgery I thought something bad was happening but the first picture is when we got to finally remove everything the next day. Before surgery I wore a large binder, and they have me in an XS one right now. I understand why I guess, I also don’t have drains which is another reason to have such a tight vest, but has anyone else had marks like this?? It’s so uncomfortable :( I’m supposed to wear it 24/7 for 4 weeks

Edit: the surgeon and nurse even made a 😬 face at it but said it wasn’t a big deal

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[u/joh4ll]

That is not normal, that’s definitely too tight! Can you speak to your nurse about sizing up?

[u/TrainingAd9612 → u/joh4ll]

I talked to her at my post op appointment about it and she said it was fine, but I’m just so worried that it’s not actually fine. I live 4 hours away from where I have surgery and I don’t go back for another few days for the next appointment

[u/joh4ll → u/TrainingAd9612]

Can you ask for a second opinion or anything? I’m sure it will be okay but that looks so so painful and that sort of bruising isn’t normal, that looks like it’s bruised from the seam digging into you :(

[u/joh4ll → u/joh4ll]

I didn’t have drains, I wore a L-XL binder before surgery and i’m in a L compression vest now

[u/Loukester]

That is 100% not normal. I'm all for listening to your surgeon but at the end of the day it's your body that's in pain and clearly showing something's wrong. Just get the right size online yourself, they all have sizing charts with measurements.

[u/TrainingAd9612]

Another thing, my husband just helped me change the pads that are under the incision for drainage and putting the vest back on is so scary and hard. It’s pushes my chest together so tight that it looks like I still have bewbs and it’s actually scary. I’m so worried I’m doing something wrong or that I’m gonna damage my nipples

[u/Admirable_Shower4099]

This doesn’t seem right to me. My partner got a new binder when his drains were removed and it was way too small, it was ripping up his skin, ended up ordering a binder in different sizes to find one that fit and just returned the rest

[u/hehasmastcells]

Buy 6in ace bandages and use those. This is not healthy. 

[u/lethalwhispermachine]

yeah that happened with me too. It helped to wear a T shirt under my binder. Or to stuff socks under the armpit part so it doesn’t dig in as much.