Surgical Compression Vest/Bra?

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cleomoon
cleomoon Member Posts: 443
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Since I am having a bilateral with no reconstruction I am wondering if getting a surgical compression vest instead of a bra would be a good idea. Seems like there are different types of compression garments used depending on the surgeon?

What type did you all with bilateral no recon have to wear following surgery and for how long?

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  • bonniejo
    bonniejo Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2010

    Hi Cleo,

     I had a bilateral mast w/no recon near the end of October 2009.  After surgery I wore a mastectomy surgical camisole from Amoena which is absolutely great -- soft and comfy with drain pocket set-up, and little fiber "poofs" to insert when I wanted some profile.

    About 2 weeks out I developed a seroma on the side where the drain had been pulled first, after 6 days.  It was drained once but returned.  After the second draining, the nurse wrapped me rather tightly in an ace bandage. It did the job!  No return of the seroma.  I felt secure in the bandage and even wore it longer than necessary, as I didn't like the feel of material rubbing across the skin in the incision area.  Altogether I probably wore it for 10 or 11 days.

     So while I'm not familiar with a surgical compression vest, it sounds similar to my being wrapped with the ace bandage.  Just wanted to pass along my experience in this regard.

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited January 2010

    Typically, the hospital/surgeon provides you with the most suitable garment—and usually a spare. Before spending your own money, you might check to see if these will be automatically given to you. Generally, these bras are not so wonderful that you'll want to keep wearing them once your drains are out and your bandages are removed, so save your money for the "keepers" you'll buy later.

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  • Leslie1962
    Leslie1962 Member Posts: 233
    edited January 2010

    My bilateral was on 11/10/09. After surgery I was placed in a very tightly fit compression garment that looked like a tube top. Was told to wear it until my first appointment, which seems like 12-14 days. After that I wore an Ace Bandage as it felt better than the other garment (which, by the way shrunk in the dryer) because I still seemed to feel better with compression. Wore that for another week or so then nothing. Good luck.

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  • Kim09
    Kim09 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2010

    I had the same surgical camisole as Bonniejo.  I am still wearing it 5 weeks after surgery since a haven't gotten my protethises (sp?) yet.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with no reconstruction.  The shop were I got my camisole has submitted the invoice to my insurance company so I am not having to pay for it. 

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