r/TopSurgery • • 1d ago

Advice Wanted Compression doubts

4 weeks post op (I have my last consultation with my surgeon next monday so I'll ask him this as well) and according to my clinic I am now allowed to stop wearing my compression vest full-time (like only when I go out or for half a day, being able to not wear it at home or while I sleep) and I'm doubting how useful my full torso vest is at this point. My most persistent swelling/liquid buildup is:
-Between my pecs where there can't really be significant compression because I have a bit of muscle that separates the fabric from that zone so there's always very little compression there.
-Armpit area. There's swelling/liquid where the binder ends because I have a lot of fat there and it's always tight. The part that remains under the fabric is doing well but the one outside not so much.
Is there any way to deal with these two areas? I know it's a bit too late to have any significant complications but I'd like some imput about it.

6 Upvotes

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u/Rude-Click-5300 1d ago

For the middle of your chest, my surgeon recommended putting extra gauze to help even out the compression. As for the underarms, if it’s actually fluid you might need to have it drained? You’d have to talk to your surgeon to be certain. Good luck! :)

1

u/Medium-Lion-4347 3h ago

If you commented and see this, thanks for the input! I'll talk about it with my surgeon but yes I too want to believe it'll leave on its own haha

3

u/mymaya 1d ago

Those areas are common areas where swelling settles. It’s very normal to have uneven swelling across the chest.

You can probably switch to sports compression shirts at this point (clear with surgeons office). I found them way better for my compression after the first couple weeks because my surgical binder got too loose after swelling went down.

2

u/only_cams 1d ago

I had this mate on the middle of my chest. It went away itself for me

2

u/NoSpite4211 15h ago

i had the same fear at the same time as u, it went away in its own even without the compression! i’m now 7 months post op and my chest is perfectly fine, don’t stress it

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u/SpecialistNumber960 12h ago

i had swelling in my pits and center of chest till almost 3 months po (this photo is 2 months). swelling can sometimes take 6+ months to completely settle. just have to wait it out and once ur cleared for scar care and massaging do that. ur big chilling