Better than an ace bandage

[Guest guest]

Ever since my mastectomy 5 weeks ago, I've been having problems w/

swelling. The surgeon tried to drain the fluid but said it was

loculated (instead of one big balloon, lots of little balloons), so

he only got out about 15 ml. His advice was keep using the ace

bandage, and my body would reabsorb the fluid.

Some of the fluid has been reabsorbed, and I'm not sloshing around

anymore, but I still had swelling. If I used an ace bandage, the

swelling moved up above the bandage or slipped under it or moved

around to my back. It was pretty uncomfortable.

So I tried a sports bra. But the band was too tight and made the

swelling worse. So I tried a camisole. But the straps were too

narrow and cut into the swelling.

Yesterday I found 'shape wear' (like a camisole) that seems to be

doing the trick. It is cut high under my arms, has thick straps and

puts pressure on my chest w/o being uncomfortable or too hot. I was

able to sleep in it (something impossible for me w/ the ace wrap),

and today my swelling and discomfort has improved a lot. Even on

the right side, that I thought wasn't swelling at all, has gotten

flatter.

The best part is it cost less than $20 at Kohl's, and it is pretty!

It looks like lingerie, not like a medical device.

Sorry this is so long, but I haven't felt this good in a long time

and thought my experience might help someone.

[Guest guest]

I also found the Flexees by Maidenform at Kohls- sounds like what you

bought- I am undergoing radiation treatments and also too sore to use a

bra- those things are wonderful. It holds the boobs in place so I don't

flop.

Eileen

>

> Ever since my mastectomy 5 weeks ago, I've been having problems w/

> swelling. The surgeon tried to drain the fluid but said it was

> loculated (instead of one big balloon, lots of little balloons), so

> he only got out about 15 ml. His advice was keep using the ace

> bandage, and my body would reabsorb the fluid.

>

> Some of the fluid has been reabsorbed, and I'm not sloshing around

> anymore, but I still had swelling. If I used an ace bandage, the

> swelling moved up above the bandage or slipped under it or moved

> around to my back. It was pretty uncomfortable.

>

> So I tried a sports bra. But the band was too tight and made the

> swelling worse. So I tried a camisole. But the straps were too

> narrow and cut into the swelling.

>

> Yesterday I found 'shape wear' (like a camisole) that seems to be

> doing the trick. It is cut high under my arms, has thick straps and

> puts pressure on my chest w/o being uncomfortable or too hot. I was

> able to sleep in it (something impossible for me w/ the ace wrap),

> and today my swelling and discomfort has improved a lot. Even on

> the right side, that I thought wasn't swelling at all, has gotten

> flatter.

>

> The best part is it cost less than $20 at Kohl's, and it is pretty!

> It looks like lingerie, not like a medical device.

>

> Sorry this is so long, but I haven't felt this good in a long time

> and thought my experience might help someone.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I was wondering if you had a drain after your surgery. I have one in

now, but just had a lumpectomy. I'm hoping my body will be able to absorb the

fluid once it's taken out.

Ellie

8a. Better than an ace bandage

Posted by: " laurava23233 " jeff.laura@... laurava23233

Date: Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:13 am ((PST))

Ever since my mastectomy 5 weeks ago, I've been having problems w/

swelling. The surgeon tried to drain the fluid but said it was

loculated (instead of one big balloon, lots of little balloons), so

he only got out about 15 ml. His advice was keep using the ace

bandage, and my body would reabsorb the fluid.

---------------------------------

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(and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

[Guest guest]

Yes, I had one drain in each side. The first one came out a week

after surgery. The second one was in for 2 1/2 weeks. The side I

am having the most problems w/ is the side where I had a couple of

lymph nodes removed.

>

> , I was wondering if you had a drain after your surgery. I

have one in now, but just had a lumpectomy. I'm hoping my body will

be able to absorb the fluid once it's taken out.

>

> Ellie

>

> 8a. Better than an ace bandage

> Posted by: " laurava23233 " jeff.laura@... laurava23233

> Date: Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:13 am ((PST))

>

> Ever since my mastectomy 5 weeks ago, I've been having problems w/

> swelling. The surgeon tried to drain the fluid but said it was

> loculated (instead of one big balloon, lots of little balloons),

so

> he only got out about 15 ml. His advice was keep using the ace

> bandage, and my body would reabsorb the fluid.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love

> (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

>

>

[Guest guest]

This sounds like a Godsend. I have had lots of swelling since my mastectomy 4

weeks ago. I will look at Kohl's and hopefully can find it in my size. Sounds

great! Thanks for sharing this info.

Jan K

laurava23233 jeff.laura@...> wrote:

Ever since my mastectomy 5 weeks ago, I've been having problems w/

swelling. The surgeon tried to drain the fluid but said it was

loculated (instead of one big balloon, lots of little balloons), so

he only got out about 15 ml. His advice was keep using the ace

bandage, and my body would reabsorb the fluid.

Some of the fluid has been reabsorbed, and I'm not sloshing around

anymore, but I still had swelling. If I used an ace bandage, the

swelling moved up above the bandage or slipped under it or moved

around to my back. It was pretty uncomfortable.

So I tried a sports bra. But the band was too tight and made the

swelling worse. So I tried a camisole. But the straps were too

narrow and cut into the swelling.

Yesterday I found 'shape wear' (like a camisole) that seems to be

doing the trick. It is cut high under my arms, has thick straps and

puts pressure on my chest w/o being uncomfortable or too hot. I was

able to sleep in it (something impossible for me w/ the ace wrap),

and today my swelling and discomfort has improved a lot. Even on

the right side, that I thought wasn't swelling at all, has gotten

flatter.

The best part is it cost less than $20 at Kohl's, and it is pretty!

It looks like lingerie, not like a medical device.

Sorry this is so long, but I haven't felt this good in a long time

and thought my experience might help someone.

Jan Koelsch

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I had a drainage tube after my mastectomy in to the third week. The skin had

started to grow over the stitches. Surgeon wasn't quite ready to take it out

but thought it was time. Lost some skin because of this.

Still hasn't helped the swelling much.

Take care.

Jan K

mizzes12 mizzes12@...> wrote:

, I was wondering if you had a drain after your surgery. I have

one in now, but just had a lumpectomy. I'm hoping my body will be able to absorb

the fluid once it's taken out.

Ellie

8a. Better than an ace bandage

Posted by: " laurava23233 " jeff.laura@... laurava23233

Date: Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:13 am ((PST))

Ever since my mastectomy 5 weeks ago, I've been having problems w/

swelling. The surgeon tried to drain the fluid but said it was

loculated (instead of one big balloon, lots of little balloons), so

he only got out about 15 ml. His advice was keep using the ace

bandage, and my body would reabsorb the fluid.

---------------------------------

We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love

(and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Thank you for sharing this with the group. I'm sure it will be very

informative for the women experiencing what you've gone through. That's the

beauty

of this group...little " tidbits " of information that we all find so helpful

at one time or another.

Best,