What to do with a sternum support?

[fixedrider]

After my double bypass in 2019, I had to wear one of those QualiBreath post-operative sternum supports for some weeks. I still have it. Is there anything useful to be done with it, or could it never be cleaned enough? I presume I can't very well return it? Is it the sort of thing that could be used by a third-world medical charity? Any constructive ideas? I heard that they are expensive, so it seems wrong to throw it away.

[fixedrider]

Thank you for those few encouraging words

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to fixedrider]

A former colleague's father had a bypass over 40 years ago and doing well in his nineties. No further intervention just some tweaking of medication over the years.

[Nettekin]

Hi fixedrider. Just wondered if the BHF could advise you of a way to "recycle" it? Wouldn't personally advise you to keep it for a rainy day !! X

[Nettekin]

Really?

[fixedrider]

Hi wbiC

Oh yes, physio nurses and everything. And I've followed it - I was always fairly active, but now even more so, weight loss, and so on. In any case the consultant who discharged me was positive about my likely outcome. So overall I'm definitely in better health than before my incident.

So I'm rather hoping not to need it again. And, by the time I did need it, no doubt some other product would be available. But of course there are no guarantees in life!

[gilreid1]

How did you store yours?

[gilreid1]

The chances of a further open heart procedure are slim so don’t worry about that suggestion. I have had a triple bypass and also was given a chest support. I handed into local health center when I no longer required. (After washing it) the physio nurse thanked me and informed me that they have many charities that recycle such items

Stay Safe

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Just out of interest do you have a lived experience of open heart surgery?

I am not sure if you did that you'd be advising someone to store their sternum support for next time.

I will go with Gilreid 1's, MichaelJH's and Nettekin's advice as it's from their experiences of open heart surgery.

[Kappacino]

I had a valve replacement so likelihood is I will need a new OP in 7 to 15 years. However, I am keeping my support not si much for sternum support but iver chest and ribs support. In the past I have bruised my ribs and the sternum support woukd be ideal during that recovery