Patent ID: 12225948

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification discloses example embodiments of a wearable post-operative garment in the form of a recovery garment, generally designated100, which in some non-limiting embodiments is suitable for aiding in post-operative recovery of patients after surgical removal of one or both breasts, for example, as a result of a diagnosis of breast cancer.

FIG.1is a front view of the recovery garment100having two front panels201that are joined together at edges that are adjacent to each other on the front view of the garment (i.e.,FIG.1) by fastening system300. The recovery garment100is otherwise a continuous piece of fabric. For clarity, the back view of the garment shows a back panel202inFIGS.2-5. The front panels201and the back panel202are assembled together from a single piece of fabric, such that the resulting recovery garment100will be devoid of any seams that may cause user discomfort when the recovery garment100is worn for an extended period of time. It is advantageous for the fabric used in their construction of the recovery garment100to be a suitable stretchy fabric, e.g., a fabric having some elastomeric fibers woven therein, that will cause a compressive force to be generated against the skin of the wearer to prevent unwanted shifting and fluid accumulation of the skin at locations where the surgery was performed, which can lead to post-operative pain, lymphedema, and increased risk of infection.

The recovery garment100front panels201and back panel202extend all the way down making the top of the recovery garment100and the bottom of the recovery garment100one continuous piece of fabric. The recovery garment100, comprises a compression insertion gap, generally designated210, at a lower edge of the recovery garment100. At the compression insertion gap210, the recovery garment100has a removable compression band212inserted through the insertion gap210, which extends from one side of the back panel202to the other side of the back panel202and which attaches on each front panel201with compression towards the fastening system300, such that the compression band212extends entirely around the recovery garment100, including across the width of both front panels201and also across the back panel202. In some embodiments, the compression band212is not removable and is sewn to the back panel202. It is advantageous for the compression band212to be made from a stretchable material, e.g., a material having an elastomeric fiber component woven therein. In some embodiments, the compression band212may be configured to be stretched by at least 25% of the unstretched length when worn by the wearer to generate a compressive force on the torso of the wearer. In other embodiments, the compression band212may be configured to be stretched by at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35, 40, or 45% of the unstretched length when worn by the wearer to generate a compressive force on the torso of the wearer.

In some embodiments, the compression band212serves to provide auxiliary compression to the torso of the wearer. As such, in the embodiment shown, the compression band212has two attachment surfaces214, which can be made of “loop fabric” or “hook fabric” in the manner of hook-and-loop fabric (e.g., of the kind marketed under the trade name Velcro®), the attachment surfaces214being attached, e.g., sewn, onto an outer surface of both front panels201. The compression band212also has at least two corresponding attachment flaps216, which can be made of whichever of the “loop fabric” or the “hook fabric” the attachment surfaces214are not made from, attached at a predetermined position on the compression band212, such that a portion of the attachment flaps216is secured to the attachment surfaces214and the attachment flaps216can be stretched as part of the compression band212, and wherein the compression band212can be moved freely relative to the back panel such that the free portion of the attachment flaps216can extend about the back panel202without disrupting the continuity of the fabric.

When the recovery garment100is configured to be worn about the torso of a wearer, the wearer of the recovery garment, or a person aiding the wearer of the recovery garment100, as the case may be, may grasp the free portion of the compression band212, the attachment flaps216, and pull the attachment flaps216towards the attachment surfaces214so that at least a portion of the attachment flaps216can be secured to the attachment surfaces214where the attachment flaps216overlaps the attachment surfaces214. This pulling of the attachment flaps216towards the attachment surfaces214stretches the compression band212wherein the attachment flaps216are attached thereto, by tightening the garment around the torso of the wearer when the attachment flaps are connected to the attachment surfaces214, thereby effectively shortening the distance between the ends of the compression band212, the attachment flaps216, by connecting at the attachment surfaces214on the front panels201of the recovery garment100.

It is this stretching of the compression band212that allows the recovery garment100to be able to provide a variable amount of compression to the wearer at the of the bottom end of the recovery garment100. As such, the amount of compression provided by the compression band212can be altered by stretching the compression band212to attach at the attachment flaps216at different points on attachment surfaces214affixed to the front panels201of the recovery garment100. This is advantageous because, during the post-operative healing process, as swelling decreases, the recovery garment100can begin to fit more loosely than it should. As such, the degree by which the compression band212needs to be stretched in the days and weeks post-surgery can increase as the swelling at the surgical site abates. Additionally, while the recovery garment100will need to be manufactured in different sizes to be fitted about the torsos of wearers having various sizes, the ability to vary the effective length of the compression band212allows for the number of sizes in which the recovery garment100must be manufactured to be minimized and/or reduced.

In some embodiments, the compression band212may have 2, 4, 6, or 8 attachment flaps216and corresponding attachment surfaces214affixed on the front panels201of the recovery garment100. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1-3, there are two attachment flaps216and attachment surfaces214attached substantially symmetrically about the compression band212or the front panels201, respectively. For example, relative to the torso of the wearer.

The installation positions of the attachment flaps216and the attachment surfaces214may be interchanged, such that the attachment flaps216are rigidly connected along its length on a portion of the front panels201and the attachment surfaces214are connected to a portion of the compression band212without deviating from the subject matter disclosed herein. While it is contemplated that the placements of the attachment flaps216and the attachment surfaces214may be reversed, such that the attachment surfaces214are attached in the same manner as is shown inFIGS.1-3but on a portion of the compression band212and the attachment flaps216may be attached in the same manner as is shown inFIGS.1-3but on a portion of the front panels201, the illustrated configuration may be advantageous for durability of the materials. In some embodiments, the reverse attachment may also be advantageous. The illustrated configuration allows for the recovery garment100to be readily fitted about the torso of the wearer immediately after the surgical procedure and before the wearer has been removed from the surgical environment. In some embodiments, the attachment flaps216may be replaced with, for example, an elastic strap with hooks attached thereto and the attachment surfaces214may be replaced with, for example, sequential rows of eyes with which the hooks of the elastic strap may be engaged to effectively shorten the length of the compression band212and provide a desired amount of compression about the torso of the wearer. Other types of suitable mechanisms to shorten the effective length of the compression band212will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art and do not deviate from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

The recovery garment100also has detachable straps from the front panels201, generally designated230, which extend continuously from an upper point of each shoulder of the back panel202to an upper point on each of the front panels201, such that the straps230are able to pass over each shoulder of the wearer in the same manner as a shoulder strap. In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, the straps230do not cross each other and are made of the same continuous fabric extending from the back panel202. The straps230are removably attached to the front panel201at loops234which serve as passages to the ends of the front-side of the straps236. The front-side of each strap236has an attachment surface236A, which can be made of “loop fabric” or “hook fabric” in the manner of hook-and-loop fabric (e.g., of the kind marketed under the trade name Velcro®), the attachment surfaces236A being attached, e.g., sewn, onto an outer surface of the front-side of each strap236. The attachment surfaces236A on the front-side of each strap236can attach to the corresponding attachment point230A which can be made of “loop fabric” or “hook fabric” in the manner of hook-and-loop fabric (e.g., of the kind marketed under the trade name Velcro®) and which extends the length of the strap230. The loops234are attached to the recovery garment100front panels201at attachment points232. The attachment points232can be in the form of looped fabric extending from the front panels201and securing the loops234in place. The straps230are made of the same material as the recovery garment100and extend continuously from the back panel202. In order to minimize the number of lengths of straps that must be provided, the straps230can be tightened by pulling the front-side of the straps236through the loops234attached at the front panels201and connecting the attachment surfaces236A with the strap attachment points230A.

The loops234may be made from any suitable material, including, for example, a polymer (e.g., plastics), a metal, or a metal alloy. It is advantageous for the attachment point232on the front panel201where the loops234are attached to be located near the collar bone, e.g., clavicle, of the wearer when the recovery garment100is being worn. This placement of the attachment point232near the collar bone allows for an easily accessible way of detaching the strap from the front panel201while the recovery garment100is still being worn. As such, by detaching the strap230from one of the front panels201, the upper part of that front panel201can be pulled down to allow for inspection of the surgical site, whether by the user or otherwise by a trained medical professional to ensure that proper healing is occurring without requiring removal of the recovery garment100, which can cause further trauma to the wearer at the surgical site during removal of the recovery garment100.

As noted herein, maintaining compression around the torso of the wearer at the surgical sites is important in reducing the risk of infection, for example, due to fluid accumulation post-surgery. Since the recovery garment100can provide a variable amount of compression to the wearer at the surgical sites based on the stage of recovery at which the wearer is, the amount of fluid within the wearer at the surgical site(s) can be minimized, which thereby decreases the risk of infection. To ensure the recovery garment100is installed to be sufficiently tight around the torso of the wearer, and also remains sufficiently tight to provide a therapeutically beneficial amount of compression at the surgical site(s), the recovery garment100has a fastening system, generally designated300, which has what is referred to herein as a double layer of compression where the recovery garment100is secured about the torso of the patient by a hook312and eye314system as well as by a zipper322.

As noted above, the fastening system300includes a single hook-and-eye attachment (312and314, respectively) and a zipper, generally designated322. At the bottom of the fastening system300is a fabric overlay302(FIG.1) to cover the bottom of the zipper320(FIG.2) to reduce rubbing of the skin or irritation that may be caused by skin contact with the bottom of the zipper320. In an embodiment, the zipper322may be a sports zipper. The hook-and-eye attachment (312and314, respectively) has a single eye314attached to one of the front panels201of the recovery garment100. A single hook312is attached to the other of the front panels201. The vertical positioning of the hook312is substantially the same as that of the eye314. As such, the eye314and hook312, correspond to one another. The fastening system300also has a zipper322. The zipper322includes a first zipper portion322A which can be attached substantially vertically along the same edge of the front panel201to which the eye314is attached. In some embodiments, the first zipper portion322A can be attached substantially vertically along the same edge of the front panel201to which the hook312is attached. The zipper322also includes a second zipper portion322B, which may be attached substantially vertically along the same edge of the front panel to which the hook312is attached. in some embodiments, the second zipper portion322B may also be attached substantially vertically along the same edge of the front panel201to which the eye314is attached. The hook312and eye314of the hook-and-eye attachment are located behind the zipper320of the recovery garment100, such that the hook-and-eye attachment cannot be seen when the first and second zipper portions,322A and322B, are interlocked to secure the recovery garment100about the torso of the wearer. In some embodiments, the zipper322may be made of a transparent material allowing the hook-and-eye attachment to be visible from the front view of the wearer. The general arrangement of the hook-and-eye attachment within the zipper322is advantageous, because it allows the garment100to be pulled tighter about the torso of the wearer, using the zipper322, after the hook312is engaged with the eye314making the hook-and-eye attachment. The hook-and-eye attachment are connected behind the zipper322and in front of a protective cloth layer310to protect the wearer's skin from irritation that may be caused by direct contact with the hook-and-eye attachment and/or with direct contact with the zipper. The protective cloth layer310may be made of the same fabric material as the recovery garment100.

Within the interior of the recovery garment100, and on an internal surface of one or both front panels201, the recovery garment100has internal pockets260defined therein (seeFIG.2). These internal pockets260are advantageously accessible by the wearer, due to the stretchy, e.g., elastic, nature of the front panels201. The internal pockets260are accessible without having to remove the recovery garment100. As shown inFIG.2, the respective inlet262by which each internal pocket260is able to be accessed is located adjacent an upper edge of each of the front panels201, preferably between the attachment point232by which each loop234is attached to each of the front panels201and through which each strap230is attached to the front panel201and tightened to the shoulder of the wearer. It is advantageous for the inlet262of the internal pocket260to be spaced apart from the uppermost edge of the front panel to hide the inlet262from view when the recovery garment100is attached about the torso of the wearer. The internal pockets260are attached to the interior of the front panels201at a position to overlap the surgical site(s). The internal pockets260advantageously extend vertically down and laterally over to a position within the front panel201sufficient to ensure that the extent of the internal pocket260will coincide with the surgical site(s) on the wearer. In some embodiments, the internal pocket260can extend as far down the front panel as to coincide with the compression band212and as far laterally as where the front panel201transitions to the back panel202, whether at a seam or not. In some embodiments, the internal pocket260may have an additional access point where the front panels201transition to the back panel202, whether at a seam or not. In some embodiments, the internal pocket260may have two access points of varying sizes. In some embodiments, the internal pocket may be made of the same fabric as the recovery garment100.

The internal pockets260are configured to allow, for example, an ice pack to be placed over the surgical site to reduce post-operative swelling and/or for a breast prosthesis to be installed over the surgical site once it is no longer therapeutically necessary to apply an ice pack to the surgical site. As used herein, the term “ice pack” can be any therapeutic device which applies cold to, e.g., removes heat from, the surgical site. As used herein, the term breast prosthesis refers to a light-weight breast form, made of foam or fiberfill, which may be worn following a mastectomy. The ability to install a breast prosthesis within the internal pocket260after the application of an ice pack is no longer therapeutically necessary is advantageous because the use of such prostheses can complement the wearer's post-surgical physical appearance and allow the wearer to begin to return to a sense of normalcy by more closely resembling the pre-surgery appearance of the wearer before the wearer undergoes reconstructive surgery and allows for further healing to take place without the wearer feeling the need to rush into such reconstructive surgery, which can lead to increased risks of post-operative complications when reconstructive surgery is attempted close in time to, or simultaneous with, the mastectomy surgery.

The recovery garment100has an internal surface of one or both front panels201, a drain loop strap250, which is configured to hold a coiled drain tube, generally designated460(FIG.5), therein to prevent the tubing from becoming entangled with anything else. The drain tube460is inserted at a first end thereof within the torso (e.g., under the armpit) of the wearer of the recovery garment100to allow for fluid to drain from the surgical site rather than accumulating within the torso of the patient during the healing process, thereby reducing post-operative complications due to, for example, infection. It is advantageous to have the drain tube460contained securely within the drain loop straps250of the garment so that the drain tube460will not become entangled with other objects in the surroundings of the wearer, or otherwise be exposed so as to be inadvertently pulled out from the surgical site, a very painful occurrence that requires the wearer to undergo further medical procedures to reinsert the drain tube460in the surgical site and which can also lead to increased incidents of complications for the wearer. The drain loop straps250sit on the lower portion of the front panels201and is made of a 2-inch elastic material and is attached with one singular button252. In some embodiments, the drain loop straps250may be made of 1 to 2, 1.5 to 2.5, 2 to 3, 2.5 to 3.5 or 3 to 4 inch elastic material. The positioning of the drain loop straps250allows the drain tube460to be coiled and secured against the body of the wearer to limit the risk of drains being pulled or torn during everyday activities.

The drain tube460can be any type of tubing made of a suitable material. A suitable material for the drain tube460may be a polymer (e.g., a plastic), or a different non-rigid, flexible material. In some embodiments, the drain tube460may be treated with a disinfectant or an antimicrobial additive. As shown inFIG.5, the drain tube460is connected at a second end to a drainage device480, which can be a suction bulb that can be squeezed to create a vacuum to promote fluid removal from the surgical site, and/or can be any other suitable device for promoting fluid removal from the surgical site within the torso of the wearer. Once connected to the drainage device480, any excess drain tube460can be coiled up rather than being allowed to dangle between the point at which the first end of the drain tube460is attached to the torso of the wearer and the drainage device480, this coiled up portion of drain tube460is placed within the drain loop strap250.

The placement of the drain loop straps250is advantageous because it allows for easy manipulation of the drainage device480without detaching the drainage device480from the drain tube460. As used herein, the term “adjacent to” can be defined as being formed in the front panel201to which the drain loop straps250are attached on a different surface thereof, but outside of an outer periphery of the internal pocket260of the same front panel201. The drain loop straps250are made at least partially from a stretchable material (e.g., a material having a spandex, or elastomeric thread component) that will allow for easy insertion and removal of the coiled drain tube460by the wearer of the recovery garment100, while also providing a comfortable contact surface against the skin of the wearer. The drain loop straps250are secured to the front panels201, for example, by stitching and/or sewing, to ensure that the drain tube460is not easily ripped off of the recovery garment100. As noted elsewhere herein, the drain loop straps250are particularly advantageous in limiting the exposure of the drain tube460to the outside environment, thereby preventing the drain tube460from becoming entangled with any objects in the immediate vicinity of the wearer of the recovery garment100, thereby advantageously reducing the risk that the drain tube460will be caught, pulled, or torn away from the location where the drain tube460is fixedly attached (e.g., by surgical sutures) to the torso of the wearer of the recovery garment100.

Drain pockets, generally designated400, are removably attached to the recovery garment100in a position where a drainage device480can be held in place while remaining securely attached to the end of the drain tube460. A drain pocket400may be attached to one or both front panels201. In some embodiments there is one drain pocket400. In some embodiments there are two front pockets400. In the example embodiment shown inFIGS.1-5, the drain pockets400are attached vertically at the bottom of each of the front panels201where the drain loop straps250are connected. The drain pockets400have a drain pocket front panel410and a drain pocket back panel420, which can be made of the same or different fabrics. In some embodiments, the drain pocket front panel410is always made of a mesh material. In the example embodiment shown, the drain pocket front panel410is made of a mesh material, so that the amount and/or color of the fluid within the drainage device480can be visually determined without the drainage device480having to be removed from the drain pocket400. This design is advantageous to avoid the risk of accidentally removing the drain tube460from the drainage device480. In the same example embodiment shown, the drain pocket back panel420is made of a substantially solid material, which can be a stretchy and/or elastomeric material, which is contemplated as being more rugged than the mesh material of the drain pocket front panel410. Alternatively, the drain pocket back panel420may be the same material as the drain pocket front panel410(e.g., a mesh material). In some embodiments, the drain pocket front and/or back panels410,420may be made from a transparent or translucent plastic sheet. The drain pockets400have an opening, generally designated440(seeFIG.1), at the top when the drain pocket400is attached to the recovery garment100, the opening440allowing for insertion and removal of the drainage device480from the drain pocket400. In some embodiments, the opening440is open. In another embodiment, the opening440is configured to be closed, at least partially, for example using an elastic band contained and/or sewn within the portion of the fabric of the drain pocket400that defines the opening440. In another embodiment, the opening440may be configured to be closed using a fabric with a tightening feature. Such a constricted opening440may be advantageous in that it can prevent accidental removal of the drainage device480from the pocket unless removed by the wearer and/or a medical professional providing post-operative care to the wearer. In some embodiments, an elastic band may be provided about the circumference of the opening440of the drain pockets400that can be deformed (e.g., expanded) to allow for removal or insertion of a drainage device480from or in the drain pocket400, but which has a non-deformed size that is smaller than the drainage device480to more securely hold the drainage device within the drain pocket400and the drain tube460close to the subject's torso. In some embodiments, a drain pocket400can hold one, two, three, or four drainage devices480. In some embodiments, a drain pocket400can hold one, two, or three drainage devices480. Where one, two, three, or four drainage devices480are used, each drainage device480is securely attached to the end of a drain tube460. Where there are one, two, three, or four drain tubes460, each drain tube460can be secured by the drain tube strap250at one or both sides of the recovery garment100.

The drain pockets400are, in the embodiment shown, attached to be accessible on the front of the recovery garment100, but may be attached to the recovery garment100in any suitable position. The drainage pockets400are advantageously removably attachable to the garment100, for example, at the bottom of the front panels201in the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the example embodiment shown, the drain pockets400are attachable at the front panels201by four snaps430(seeFIG.1), which can also be in the form of buttons or any other suitable type of attachment. In an embodiment, the drain pockets400are attachable at the compression band212by two, three, four, five, or six snaps or buttons. The snaps or buttons have the complementary snap or button connection point on the proximal side of the drain pockets400to the front panels201. The use of snaps allows the drain pockets400to be removed from the recovery garment100and the recovery garment100to be worn without the drain pockets400after the drain tube460is removed from the surgical site, which will typically occur approximately 2 weeks after surgery in the case of a mastectomy. In the example embodiment shown, the drain pockets400are located on the front portion of the front panels201. Depending on the type of drainage device480needed during post-operative care, the drain pockets400can be of any suitable size and are interchangeable with drain pockets400of any other size. In some embodiments, the recovery garment100can have two differently sized drain pockets400or same sized drain pockets400attached thereto. about 5 inches from the bottom of the bra. In some embodiments, the recovery garment100has the same sized drain pockets400.

FIG.6shows general shape of the loops234which serve as passages to the ends of the front-side of the straps236as shown inFIG.1. The passages are generally designated219, the loops are generally designated234.FIG.7shows the general shape of the removable compression band212.

Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments provided in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter include, but are not limited to, the claims and the following embodiments:

Embodiment 1: A wearable garment for recovery of a wearer after the wearer has undergone a surgical procedure, the wearable garment comprising:a back panel and two front panels that, when the wearable garment is worn about a wearer;a fastening system configured to secure the outer edges of the two front panels together, wherein the fastening system comprises a hook-and-eye mechanism and a zipper, thereby securing the wearable garment about the wearer;a compression band configured to provide a compressive force about the wearer; anda drain loop strap attached to each of the two front panels for holding a drain tube against the wearer.

Embodiment 2: The wearable garment of embodiment 1, wherein the surgical procedure is a single mastectomy, a double mastectomy, a lumpectomy, a breast reconstruction, a breast augmentation, a breast lift, and/or a breast reduction.

Embodiment 3: The wearable garment of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the back panel and two front panels comprise one continuous fabric.

Embodiment 4: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the fastening system comprises a fabric overlay to protect the skin of the wearer from friction with the fastening system.

Embodiment 5: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the fastening system comprises a protective cloth layer to protect the skin of the wearer from friction with the fastening system.

Embodiment 6: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-5, comprising a drain pocket on each of the two front panels configured to hold at least one drainage device connected to a first end of the drain tube, wherein the at least one drainage device is configured to suction fluid from a surgical site of the wearer through the drain tube.

Embodiment 7: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the drain loop strap is two inches long.

Embodiment 8: The wearable garment of embodiments 6 or 7, wherein at least a front panel of the drain pockets comprises a mesh material or a transparent material configured such that an amount and/or color of the fluid within the drainage device can be monitored without removing the drainage from the drain pocket.

Embodiment 9: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 6-8, wherein the drain pockets are removably attached to the garment at the two front panels of the recovery garment.

Embodiment 10: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 6-9, wherein the drain pockets are removably attached to each of the two front panels by snaps.

Embodiment 11: The wearable garment any one of embodiments 6-10, wherein the drain pockets are attached to each of the two front panels by four snaps.

Embodiment 12: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-11, further comprising straps with an adjustable length secured about the shoulder of the wearer.

Embodiment 13: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the wearable garment is configured to be worn about the torso of the wearer and, when one of the straps is disconnected from a front panel loop, an upper edge of the disconnected front panel is foldable in a downward direction to allow for inspection of a surgical site adjacent a breast of the wearer without removing the wearable garment from the torso of the wearer.

Embodiment 14: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-13, wherein an amount of compression provided about the torso of the wearer by the straps is adjustable by adjusting the length of one or both straps.

Embodiment 15: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein each strap comprises a front-side of the strap which passes through a front panel loop connected on the top part of each front panel and a back-side of the strap which is continuous with the back panel of the wearable garment.

Embodiment 16: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein the front-side of the strap comprises an attachment surface and the back-side of the strap comprises a strap attachment configured to interlock to secure the strap on the wearer.

Embodiment 17: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the back panel comprises an insertion point for the compression band comprising an elastomeric material, the compression band being a removable portion of the wearable garment.

Embodiment 18: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-17, comprising an attachment surface on each external face of the two front panels and an attachment flap on each end of the compression band which wraps around the circumference of the wearable garment, wherein the attachment flaps are configured such that, when pulled towards the attachment surface of the two front panels, the compression band is stretched effectively tightening about the wearer, thereby increasing a magnitude of the compression force provided by the wearable garment.

Embodiment 19: The wearable garment of any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein the attachment surface comprises a hook-and-loop connection material and wherein the attachment flaps comprise the corresponding hook-and-loop connection material.

Embodiment 20: A wearable garment for recovery of a wearer after the wearer has undergone a surgical procedure, the wearable garment comprising:a back panel and two front panels that wherein the outer edges of the front panels are adjacent to each other when the wearable garment is work about a wearer;a fastening system configured to secure the outer edges of the front panels together, thereby securing the wearable garment about the wearer;a removable compression band configured to provide a compressive force about the wearer and comprising:elastomeric material, wherein the compression band secures at bottom of the back panel through a fabric insertion point at either end of the back panel; andan attachment flaps at either end of the compression band; andwherein the attachment flaps are configured such that, when pulled towards the front panels of the wearable garment, the attachments plans connect to corresponding attachment surfaces at the bottom of each front panel, wherein the compression band can be variably stretched thereby increasing or decreasing a magnitude of the compression force provided at the compression region;straps configured to hold the wearable garment about the shoulders of the wearer;a drain loop strap for holding a drain tube in a coiled configuration against the wearer; anda drain pocket configured to hold at least one drainage device connected to a first end of the drain tube, wherein the drainage device is configured to suction fluid from a surgical site of the wearer through the drain tube.

Other embodiments of the current invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing specification is considered merely exemplary of the current invention with the true scope thereof being defined by the following claims.