BMS and LE Compression Sleeves

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kane744
kane744 Member Posts: 461
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

After this upcoming surgery, will I be able to use my sleeves or will it be too painful and thus have to be wrapped? What's been others' experience?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2012

    Kane, do you mean immediately after? Wrapping is preferable because it'll adjust to any post-op swelling, and because if you're lying in bed a lot the sleeves aren't recommended. But it's awfully hard to wrap yourself. Can DH help? Any chance your therapist can stop by and wrap you afterwards? If you have a night sleeve that can be a good option too. If you don't, you might consider a Solaris Caresia (which isn't custom so you can get it right away), which you can wrap over as needed. Makes applying bandages lots easier. Within a couple of days you may be able to use your sleeves when you're awake, as long as there's no upper-arm swelling.

    And hey! I read your other post this morning about your retail therapy, and surely a new couch and recliner are essential post-surgery and chemo equipment. Not sure why insurance doesn't cover themWink. Also, for the hospital, don't forget those individual packs of cocoa that you can make by adding hot water. I also used Junior Mints for post-surgical recovery and found the midnight rattle of mints flowing out of the box into my hand was quite, uh, soothing.

    It'll be good, Kane!Smile
    Special hugs,
    Binney

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  • moogie
    moogie Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2012

    Remembering my surgery, I would say wrapping would be the way to go given some nerve wonkiness after the procedure. You have control with the wrap.

    Will be sending you healing thoughts!

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  • kane744
    kane744 Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2012

    My LE therapist is in the hospital where I'm having BMS done and she will come wrap me.  But if surgery time runs late, my husband is an expert wrapper.  He can even do the herringbone pattern. All those years wrapping our horse's legs turned out to be more useful than we thought. Then when my therapist comes next morning to show me exercises for post mastectomy, she will re-wrap just to make sure I'm good to go.  She's planning to wrap both arms, even the one currently without LE.  My surgeon doesn't see the need but my response was that if it doesn't cause harm I'd rather do it.  He gave in immediately.  I have a reputation!!  

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