compression garment problems

[Unregistered]

I had a TT on 2/19 and was doing fine until I was hospitalized with an abdominal infection. I spent 7 days in the hospital and another 2 at home before being given the ok to get back into my compression garment. I wear a body suit from mid calf to under breast. I have been in so much pain since I have put the garment back on, that I am almost feel like saying that I've got my 16K worth of surgery already so long as I can take this off now!!! Is it possible to be too compressed??? I don't have a single moment during the day/night that is even remotely comfortable! I'm scared to take it off, but I'm scared to cause damage from being to binded together...any suggestions??

[danya]

usually people are more comfortable in their garments after a tummy tuck, compared to when they're not wearing it beacuse the garment helps to minimize swelling.

the fact that you're so uncomfortable makes me a bit concerned. it could just be that after the infection, you just have alot of swelling, but there may be something brewing under the garment (like another infection) that you cant see.

your best bet is to have your doctor check you out. also, limit your activity and avoid salty foods to keep the swelling down even more.

dont be afraid to ask your doctor. he'll either say you're fine, it's just swollen and going to take some time to heal (which is the most likely scenario), or that there may be another infection in which case s/he can start to treat you again. frustrating, i know, but better to find out sooner rather than later.

make sure he examines you, though, without the garment on.

let me know what happens.
danya

[Unregistered]

well, i'm on the 4th week of IV antibiotics now plus the handful of pills i have to take morning and nite. :-( Good news is though that they say I am 60/70% now.. Doc says I can get back in the suit...It just hurts terribly. I suppose it's just because I have been out of it now for 3 weeks. This has been quite an ordeal and extremely frustrating...to say the least! But, still well worth it when I look in the mirror! :-) The part of all of this that has been very difficult for me is that I am being treated by the plastic surgeon as well as an infectious disease specialist and they have 2 different views from time to time and I have no one to be a tie breaker for me. I have a large area in my abdomen that is extrememly hard and numb. Inf. Spec says it is necrosis of tissue underneath and surgeon says it is inflammation from the abscess?? If one is right, it would mean having the dead tissue scraped out, and if the ohter is right, it means simply waiting 3-6 months for it to go away. According to the Inf. Spec. he has seen a huge increase in this type of infection over the country over the last 6 months. It is a type of staph infection called MRSA and apparantly it is extremely virulent and resistant to antibiotics. Hopefully, this 4th week of meds will take care of it because he says I cannot continue on these antibiotics for much longer....I will keep you posted as to how it all turns out. As for the suit...waiting for it to dry now and getting my mind ready to endure the pain when I put it back on. OUCH!! :-)