Postsurgical convalescence shirt

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept provide a postsurgical convalescence shirt including a placket to open and close the convalescence shirt, and one or more receiving compartments provided inside the convalescence shirt proximate a lower portion thereof, and configured to receive a drain reservoir connected to drainage tubing to drain fluid from a surgical area of a patient's body.

1 . A postsurgical convalescence shirt comprising:
 a placket to open and close the convalescence shirt; and   one or more receiving compartments provided inside the convalescence shirt proximate a lower portion thereof, and configured to receive a drain reservoir connected to drainage tubing to drain fluid from a surgical area of a patient's body.   
     
     
         2 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of securing members provided adjacent to each side of the placket to open and close the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         3 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 2 , wherein the securing members are configured as plastic snaps. 
     
     
         4 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving compartments are configured as pockets provided proximate the bottom of the convalescence shirt, with openings at the top of the pockets. 
     
     
         5 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 4 , wherein the pockets comprise a single layer of fabric sewn directly to the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         6 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 5 , wherein the pockets are formed of a different fabric than the convalescence shirt, the different fabric being more elastic than that of the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         7 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 4 , wherein the pockets are formed before being secured to the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         8 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 4 , wherein one or more of the pockets is divided into separate receiving areas. 
     
     
         9 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 4 , wherein the pockets are provided with a securing member at the top to secure the drain reservoir and/or or drainage tubing. 
     
     
         10 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 4 , wherein the pockets are configured to be removable from the convalescence shirt, and the convalescence shirt is provided with one or more securing members to secure the pockets thereto. 
     
     
         11 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , wherein at least one or more portions of the convalescence shirt is formed of a wicking fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , further comprising a contrast fabric provided to the placket for decoration and structural support. 
     
     
         13 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving compartments are configured to hold a largest standard surgical drainage bulb. 
     
     
         14 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving compartments are configured to hold a post-surgical closed drain suction bulb. 
     
     
         15 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receiving compartments are provided at a front of the postsurgical convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         16 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 1 , further comprising two breast prosthesis receiving portions provided inside the convalescence shirt, configured to each selectively receive a breast prosthesis, and respectively provided at opposite sides of the placket in a chest area of the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         17 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 16 , wherein the breast prosthesis receiving portions are configured as breast form pockets attached to the convalescence shirt, each having an opening configured to receive the breast prosthesis at a side of the breast form pocket opposite the placket. 
     
     
         18 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 17 , further comprising a support member coupled to each of the breast form pockets at sides opposite the placket, the support member being configured to extend along a back of the convalescence shirt between the breast form pockets to provide support for the breast form pockets. 
     
     
         19 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 18 , wherein the support member is configured as two elastic straps each having first and second ends coupled to the respective breast form pockets in a crossing pattern such that a first end of a first strap is coupled proximate a top portion of a first one of the breast form pockets, a second end of the first strap is coupled proximate a bottom portion of a second one of the breast form pockets, a first end of a second strap is coupled proximate a bottom portion of the first one of the breast form pockets, and a second end of the second strap is coupled proximate a top portion of the second one of the breast form pockets. 
     
     
         20 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 18 , wherein the support member is configured to be selectively attached and detached via coupling members coupling the support member to the breast form pockets. 
     
     
         21 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 16 , wherein the two breast prosthesis receiving portions are configured as a mastectomy bra that is configured to be selectively attached and detached via coupling members coupling the mastectomy bra to a plurality of portions of the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         22 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 21 , wherein the coupling members are configured so as to inhibit movement of straps of the mastectomy bra. 
     
     
         23 . The postsurgical convalescence shirt of  claim 21 , wherein the coupling members are loops configured to open to selectively receive and release the mastectomy bra from the convalescence shirt. 
     
     
         24 . A postsurgical convalescence shirt comprising:
 a placket to open and close the convalescence shirt;   one or more receiving compartments provided inside the convalescence shirt proximate a lower portion thereof, and configured to receive a drain reservoir connected to drainage tubing to drain fluid from a surgical area of a patient's body; and   two breast prosthesis receiving portions provided inside the convalescence shirt, configured to each selectively receive a breast prosthesis, and respectively provided at opposite sides of the placket in a chest area of the convalescence shirt, such that one or more breast prostheses may be supported in place in and by the convalescence shirt.