Compression Garment = Torture Device

Hi All,

So I am now 2 weeks + 2 days out.  Saw the doc yesterday and she was very happy with how I am healing.  My incision looks good and she took another drain out.  Only one left now.  She also gave me my compression garment.  No more binder.  I was happy at first.... but oh wow this thing is tight (duh) and it hurts at the various pressure points. I was awake at 4:30 morning and my legs were hurting very badly where the elastic ends.  Just digging in like crazy.  I had put pads around the worse part of it, but they weren't really helping anymore (I now have pad-shaped impressions dug into my skin)

After lying there thinking about it for 3 hours (btw the way.... did you catch that I was laying down??? WOOO HOOO, got the clearance to move from the recliner back to the bed! YIPPEE!!) I thought, hmmmmmm maybe I could get some ace bandages and wrap them around my legs where the elastic was digging in.  Oh sweet Jesus, thank you for that idea because it HAD to have been Devine intervention.  SO much better.  The ace bandage compresses the fleshy part of my leg that was beyond the length of the garment and serves as a pad for the elastic to lie against.  

AH...... the relief.  Now of course, it's 8:30 and just when I could sleep again, it is time to start working.  Sigh.  Can't have everything right?  :-)
 

The other thing about this stupid garment is that is does suck everything in, so when I take it down to use the bathroom, I look down and see flab.  So insult to injury, it makes me feel like a busted can of biscuits. 

Besides, that, I'm doing great.  I did go back to working from home Monday.  I get a little tired, but yesterday was better than Monday, so I'm progressing.  

Hope all is well with everyone!

Im about the same amount post op as you, and have called this CG a torture device many times. I cant wait to get rid of it at the 6 week mark that my surgeon says. My husband said we can have a burning ceremony. Lol.

I did not use one. I just used a binder and have had very good results with out the torture. Good luck!

my surgeon doesn't use a binder and just wants me to wear a spanx type garment. thank god! all i have are high waist panty ones at home so that's what i've been wearing, but it kills my legs! i'm going to get a longer one later this afternoon. i was cleared for bed last friday but waited until tuesday. it's still not really comfortable (i'm a belly sleeper but i'm not even attempting that for a bit longer!), but i discovered if i have my spanx on i can lay on my side, so i'm sure that's what i'll be doing tonight. i can also walk more upright with it on (which makes me think the hunching is kind of in my head). 

I am anxious about the compression/scaring/healing after my PS, sorry to hear you are uncomfortable and I suspect I will be.  I will remember the ace bandages!  Please share anything else that ends up being helpful!

Still laughing out loud about the busted can of biscuits, thank you 

Six weeks up yesterday!!! FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD, I AM FREE AT LAST!!!!! 

Sorry to hear of all this torture with compression garments. So far its not that bad for me. I tried mine on yesterday and wore it for about 3 hours. It felt constricting but it wasn't torture by no means. My plastic surgeon suggested Spanx but I've heard a lot of good things about Merena Group so I check out both websites and went with the Merena Group garment. I was concerned about the elastic digging into my thighs so I went with the mid calf length.

I just ordered a garment that goes from just under the breasts to mid calf (thank you Angela!) to help with that elastic digging into my thighs.  The ace bandages help a lot but it still hurts especially when the swelling really kicks in.  Since I still have 4 more weeks with this type of lovely garment (at least) I need to do something to make it more comfy.  Right now, my thighs are swelling like crazy and it down right hurts when the elastic digs.  

Merena was a little expensive, $135 for the garment.  Then again, my first one from the doc was included in the price, not sure how much it would be to buy a second one.  But since I planning on buying a 2nd one anyway so II could launder one, wear the other, I figured the Merena mid-calf option would be worth it to reduce the digging in.  

Once I get the new one, I'll let folks know if it helps.  I am hoping it will (and it can't hurt more than this one right???)

 

You're welcome! The style I have also goes up to just under my breast so it sounds like we may have ordered the same one. I really like mine. I have worn mine a few hours each day for the past 3 days. I'm wearing it now. It's a little tricky to get on especially since I still have a drain but I'm starting to get the hang of it. I ordered two so that I would have one to wear while washing the other. Yes they are pricey but I think its worth it.

Hi Robyn. Do you mind if I ask what type surgery you had? I had a panniculectomy on June 07. I was wondering about what type of compression garment you had and what type of surgery its due to if you don't mind.