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At first glance, the zippers, pads
and fasteners of your compression garment may seem a
bit intimidating. Relax. Marena
Comfortwear goes on in much the same way as ordinary
foundation garments, with the following differences:
o All seams go on the exterior
of the compression garment.
o Depending on the compression garment style, the label
may be on front, back or side, but will always be on
the outside of your Comfortwear.
o All bras fasten in front (though some have adjustable
fasteners in the back, too.)
o If in doubt, look for any hook and eye fasteners.
The hooks will point toward your skin, and a plush comfort
pad will be on the fabric layer closest to your skin.
o Zippers will always be in front, or sides, easily
in reach for the patient.
By necessity, Comfortwear compression
garments will be very snug, so open all zippers and
fasteners while dressing in the first few days following
surgery. As tenderness and swelling are reduced, you
may eliminate the fastening/unfastening process a little
at a time, until you are ready for a Marena 2nd stage
transitional compression garment.
The fabric used to make your ComfortWear
compression garment, while strongly elastic, is much
more delicate than the cotton, wool, and linen of our
daily wear fabrics. Be careful when dressing. To keep
long finger nails from puncturing the material, always
pull using seams, fasteners, and doubled layers of fabric
as your handhold. Whenever possible, stretch the compression
garment using the flat of a full hand, then release
into place.
How do I launder my compression garment?
To preserve the special qualities
of ComfortWeave compression garments, follow these laundering
instructions:
Machine wash your compression garment
in warm or, preferably, cool/cold water. Tumble dry
on low heat or, preferably, line or air dry. Do not
use bleach or fabric softener, as these may harm the
stretch and moisture handling properties of this fabric.
To minimize bloodstains, wash as soon as possible. A
pre-soaking solution of a tablespoonful hydrogen peroxide
in a gallon of water may help you remove blood stains.
While Marena's ComfortWear is the
longest-lasting compression garment on the market under
extended wear and washings, any stretch fabric, even
ComfortWeave, can lose some of its properties as it
is washed. Therefore, most patients find it much more
convenient to simply keep two ComfortWear compression
garments on hand - one to wash, and one to wear while
the other is being laundered. Not only is it convenient
to buy two garments at the same time but the Patient
Care Kits are less expensive than the same two garments
bought separately.
Special Reminder: Be sure
to follow Marena's approved laundering instructions
on the label, and never, never use chlorine bleach or
fabric softener.
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