Question:
Does everyone need to buy BIG panties post-op?

When people on this site give a list of what to take to the hospital/ what to have on hand, I often see buy BIG underwear, Do they mean bigger what we already use? And also is this for everyone or just those w/ binders?    — Cindee A. (posted on November 2, 2001)

November 2, 2001
I took and wore what I use on a daily use. I didn't have a binder though.
   — [Anonymous]

November 2, 2001
I suppose some people who have drains might want larger than normal panties, but truth be told, I didn't wear panties until the second day post op. I just wore my normal panties and I had a binder. The binder didn't interfer with the panties at all. I have to admit that I was tickled by this question, just because of the use of the term "BIG panties." I recently bought my second round of new post op panties. It's really a hoot to not be buying BIG panties anymore!! Just wait!!
   — BethVBG

November 2, 2001
Call me silly.....but what is a binder? :)
   — Kathy B.

November 2, 2001
Maybe I should post this anonymously, because people may think I'm nuts, but I was not about to bother with panties at all for the first week or so. So I didn't. They would interfere with my drains, my G-tube, and going to the bathroom (couldn't get them off quick enough! I always had a long nightgown on (or a hospital gown which came to the floor on me!) so I didn't worry about it. After that, my regular ones were fine. Good luck.
   — Maria H.

November 2, 2001
Cindee - I didn't have a binder or draining tubes just the IV (I had lap RNY) I wore my normal panties which made the nurse laugh when she found out but it made me feel more normal.
   — Elizabeth A.

November 5, 2001
I feel so kinky saying this, but I didn't wear underwear at all while I was in the hospital. Woo hoo! :) Seriously, I had a catheter in for the first two days, then the last day I was there, they finally removed it (Thank God!) and I went home a couple hours later.
   — [Anonymous]

November 5, 2001
I bought underwear two sizes bigger than I wore right before surgery and was glad I did because my belly was sore and swollen for a while and the bigger undies were very comfortable. Don't buy too many pairs and don't spend a lot of money on them because after about 3 or 4 weeks post-op I went back to my "regular" size undies. I wore them until they started to fall off and I had to buy new ones. Lap rny 4/13/01 81 lbs gone.
   — [Anonymous]