what is the binder

what is the binder I keep hearing about after surgery its one you wear? My surgeon hasn't mention this

I used one after my c-sections. My gyn didn't mention it, I found out about it on forums then checked with my doctor. He was ok with it for short period of time.

https://www.amazon.com/Abdominal-Post-Operative-Pregnancy-Injuries-Post-Surgical/dp/B01CQV7L8Y/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482944569&sr=8-1&keywords=binder%2Bpost%2Bsurgery&th=1

after a WLS or plastic surgery? I never used a fancy binder, just held a travel pillow to my abdomen when changing positions for the first week or so :)

Prior to surgery we had a pre-op class and the nurse recommended that we request a binder.  Well, I didn't have to request a binder the surgical team automatically put me in one immediately after surgery.  It is a long, wide, stretchy, rectangle made of stretchy fabric that wraps tightly around your abdomen.  Strong velcro is used to hold it in place.  After surgery your abs are weak so the binder offers added support.  I wore it for abt. 4 weeks. It helped alleviate pain when turning over in bed and when I walked it helped my back. They recommended wearing a tank top underneath. Weak abs can cause back issues.  

I had a binder (compression bandage) after hernia surgery but it was because I had a large incision across my belly button.  I didn't have one (nor did I feel the need for one) after my VSG.  My incisions were sealed with surgical glue and was told I needed to wash them every day with antimicrobial soap and only have them loosely covered.  I guess it all depends on your surgeon.  As someone else said, i was told to have a pillow for the ride home and for getting up and down from a chair, but I only needed it it for a day or two.  

If it is just the sleeve surgery, you do not typically wear a binder- although you could. I did purchase a wrap around type held in place with velcro from CVS or something like that. I had other abdominal surgeries with incisions longer than 12 inches- for those I wore a heavy duty version that went from the arm pit down to the knees. 

I can see using a binder after a tummy tuck, but we just used a pillow to brace after surgery for couging, etc.