Question:
Has anyone post op Open RNY used an abdominal binder?
I am 10 days post op open RNY, steri strips were removed today. My incision looks good but I was wondering if an abdominal binder would help the incision heal. I purchased one before surgery but in the hospital the surgeon said no..that it was too restrictive and would not allow deep breathing...what about now? Anyone who has used one...whether successful or not please let me know.. — Holly K. (posted on October 11, 2002)
October 11, 2002
I had open RNY on Oct 16, 2002. I woke up in recovery with a binder on. I
wore it for at least 2 weeks or so post op. I know people who wore it much
longer. It all depends on your surgeon. My surgeon was not a big fan of
the binder. He said we would "rely" on it too much. It helped a
great deal. I dont see any problem wearing it. If it feels better....do
it. :) (just my humble opinion)
— skymaxjr
October 11, 2002
Holly, I am 9 weeks post-op today. My doctor recommended I wear the binder
for 4-6 weeks and I did. It absolutely did not hurt me. In fact, there were
a few times I bent over to pick up my 29 pound nephew (forgetting not to
lift over 5 pounds) and I KNOW it saved me from accidentally causing a
hernia. It gave me WONDERFUL support and I am POSITIVE it helped my
incision heal "thinner" and "flatter". I ALSO bought
pure Vitamin E oil from K-mart and I use it every night before I go to bed.
I rub on a thick layer. Just be careful, because it does leave an
"oily" type stain on clothing. I just wear T-shirts to bed for
now. My incision looks fantastic. It's gone from red to pink, and it's
really flat and even FADING in some places along the incision line.
Annaleigh
— Annalee
October 11, 2002
My binder was like my pacifier for the first three weeks or so after
surgery. My surgeon gives it to all his by-pass patients to wear. I felt
so much more at ease walking while wearing it and also I felt it was
helping to keep everything together, you know? I would definitely
recommend wearing your binder until you feel comfortable without it. My
breathing was not affected in the least by it. Good Luck and God Bless!
— mjlward1
October 11, 2002
They put one on me in the hospital and I took it off only when I needed a
"break" from it or to bathe. Wore it the first two weeks and
ditched it. But I'm pear shaped and it didn't like to sit right on me.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 11, 2002
My doctor gave me one with surgery, I was told to waer it until 6 weeks
post op, well it itched and I was not comfortable with how it kept riding
up, so I stopped wearing it. Well I got a hernia...I can't help but wonder
if I had listened, would it have done any good...it just might have...I say
wear it, it couldn't hurt...
— MF
October 11, 2002
My surgeon gives them to all of his patients. I wore mine in the hospital
and the first week at home. I felt like it really supported me when I got
up and down and in and out of bed. After that I just stopped wearing it.
I thought it was helpful while I used it. I did get tired of it though.
Good luck. I am two weeks post op and I feel awesome!
— Sandy P.
October 12, 2002
I woke up from surgery with two on. Man those suckers where tight! It was
really hard for me to get them on, always had to have help, but they made
my muscles feel better with all that support.
— Paula Prichard
October 12, 2002
I got a binder on the first time i was out of bed after surgery. Ifell the
support makes it easier to get up and around. It did get itchy and gave me
a rash, so I got some soft camisoles from lane bryant to wear under it. I
LOVE it. Dr. said wear it for 6 weeks, take it off only to shower and wash
the binder. I feel so much better with it on and am sure I use less pain
meds because of the support from the binder.
— **willow**
October 12, 2002
I also woke up after surgery with the abdominal binder on. Based on advice
some wise person gave me, I asked the hospital for a second one to take
home, so I'd have one to wear while the other was in the wash. I wore it
constantly for about 3 weeks, and just when sleeping or when working out
for another week or two after that. I think they're great for
"reminding" you not to lift things we're not ready to lift.
— Suzy C.
October 13, 2002
BTC patients are instructed to wear their abdominal binder at all times
(except when in the shower) the first 2 weeks after surgery. After that it
is optional....however, I can tell you from experience that the binder
*helps* to hold your stomach up so that the weight of your stomach is not
pulling on the incision. This *helps* the incision heal nicer. If your
stomach is pulling down on the incision, then there's a greater chance of
having a wider scar once you are all healed up.
— Lynette B.
October 15, 2002
My surgeon suggests wearing the binder for 6 weeks. I actually feel more
comfortable with it on than off - I am 5 weeks post-op.
— Diane T.
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