Question:
Does anyone recommend the use of an abdominal binder after surgery?
I'm thinking of purchasing an abdominal binder to provide additional support following my surgery 1/9. Will this be helpful? — Linda W. (posted on December 20, 2001)
December 20, 2001
The hospital gave me 2, needed to get around my hugh waist. They helped
some but were uncomfortable. Helpewd a LOT cutting grass post op. I am LAP.
— bob-haller
December 20, 2001
Yes yes yes! My doctor gave us two to wear for 6 weeks, I woke up from
surgery wearing it. Having it off for a few minutes is tough now, as I can
really feel the support when it is on. I would strongly recommend it.
— Tracie B.
December 20, 2001
The hospital gave me one and it did help to give support for the first
couple of weeks. I stopped wearing mine by the end of week 3 because it
kept riding up and was beginning to annoy me. But, yes I would recomend
that you use one for your first 2 to 3 weeks post-op. Your Hospital will
most likely provide you with one and I am sure they charge you a hefty
price for them as well.
— Susan M.
December 20, 2001
Very much so!!! I also woke up in recovery with mine on and since I had an
open and lap RNY, it made the "open" part of the surgery much
more comfortable. I got to a point a few days after coming home where I
didn't always wear it during the day, but I always wore it at night and
felt it helped tremendously in allowing me to sleep on my side. Then when
I would roll over, everything was held together and didn't hurt so much.
Definately get one or ask your surgeon to get one and have it ready for
you in the recovery room!!! Good luck!!!
— Kellie Jo B.
December 20, 2001
Hello, I will have a binder when I wake from open RNY on Jan. 3rd and my
Doctor says WEAR IT! He feels it will help prevent a Hernia. He also says
it will help shrink the skin and advises that it should be worn for 3
months!
— Laurie W.
December 20, 2001
I also received a binder in the hospital. They made me wear it every time I
wanted to get up and walk around. I even wore it to sleep when I was there,
it did help with turning on my side. My surgeon advised me strongly to wear
my binder for 5-6 weeks post-op, especially after the staples came out. It
helped keep everything where it belonged, and also helped with the healing
process of my incision. Do what the doctor orders, it will make it much
easier on you! Good luck and God bless!
— Kerry P.
December 20, 2001
I initially did not uderstand the function of the binder and kept it too
tight. I think that contributed to some gas pain. The binder should be
thought of as a shock absorber, impeding the movement in that area.Think
about all that reconstruction in your stomach,it really doesnt need to be
moving around.I am 3 wks out and my doctor said it was time for it to come
off and that some end up using it a a security blanket. Much to my suprise
I didnt need it anymore and am glad to get the itchy thing off. I kept it
as a souvenir though, might make a good hammock for a cat...Good luck,greg
— Greg S.
December 20, 2001
Immediately after my surgery, I woke up w/o binder and was in incredible
pain...they put the binder on and it totally helped. Kind of
"holds" the incision together. I wore it for weeks. To get
around the "itchy" part of it, try this: buy some men's
tshirts...the kind Rocky wore in the movies, the thin, tank style. I wore
mine over my bra, under the binder. Then I could slip a top on over that
and it was fine!! Good luck to you. Open RNY 7/17/01.
— blee01
December 20, 2001
You should wear your binder. It helps give your incision the extra
support that it needs. I could not stand mine so I didn't wear it. I got
a hernia almost right away. The only benefit to my hernia is that it
helped me get ins. approval for my tummy tuck. :)
— DeeDubbs
December 20, 2001
Absolutely!!! I don't know where I would have been without it. Before you
hbuy one though, check with your hospital, they might already give you one.
Mine was put on in recovery, I vaguely remember them moving me around to
put it on. I had to wear it for two weeks, and after my first follow-up it
was optional, I took it off asap, beause it was itchy and annoying, but I
noticed the lack of support right away, but after two or three days I was
fine. Good Luck with your surgery!
— Deborah W.
December 20, 2001
I had lap RNY and a binder was never mentioned. However, after I got home,
I found that wearing a panty girdle really helped...especially for the
lower left side where all the equipment was put in. That was the only
muscle pain I had.
— Dianne K.
December 21, 2001
It depends on how your weight is dispersed. I was 370 when I
had my open rny, but I didn't have big stomach, I was evenly
proportioned. My doc ordered the binder, but when he looked at
me after the surgery he threw it on the chair and said "Good, you
won't need this!". If you really need one, your surgeon or the
nursing staff will order one for you.
— [Anonymous]
December 21, 2001
definitely,,the hospital usually provides it,,my doc says it helps to
prevent hernias also. wouldn't want to live without it.. great support
which helps you not feel like everything is falling out,,,
— [Anonymous]
December 21, 2001
They put mine on me before I woke up in recovery 11 days ago. Dr. told me
I didn't need to sleep with it, and I don't. I also don't do a lot of
tossing and turning without it, either!! As soon as I wake up it goes back
on. I'll be glad to get rid of it... but right now, I'm AWFULLY glad to
HAVE it..!!
— Diane E.
December 21, 2001
I wore a binder for about 8 weeks after my open rny. I am "pear
shapped" - I carry most of my excess weight in my hips and legs, but
for me the binder was good support. My co-worker who had the surgery is
more apple shapped - most of her excess weight in her abdominal area. She
couldn't stand wearing the binder becase it "rolled". A lot of
people develop hernia's. I think wearing the binder helped me prevent one.
Check with your doctor and get his/her opinion. Good luck.
— [Anonymous]
December 21, 2001
No binder here. I had open RNY on 1/8/01 (this next year will fly by for
you). I asked my surgeon pre-op about one and he does not believe in them.
I had no problems and have no hernias. Shelley
— Shelley.
December 21, 2001
Open RNY 9/11...Pacific Bariatric puts us in abdominal binders in the OR.
Even after 3 months I find that an all-in-one bra/pantygirdle thing still
feels really good especially if I have to be on my feet for a long time.
Without it sometimes the area around the incision starts to feel very
tired. I used my binder until it wasn't binding anymore. One thing that was
helpful was to wear an undershirt beneath the binder. That way the elastic
didn't itch.
— phoebe
December 22, 2001
i am 5 days post op open rny. i woke up in my room after the surgery
already encased in a binder. it felt kinda good...supportive if u will. i
must wear the binder for 6 weeks but never when i am laying in bed. i have
a very short walk from my bed to the bathroom so i dont put it on then
either, but, if i am not going back to bed it goes on immediately after
'bathroom duty' is done. no, its not the most comfortable thing in the
world, but, i do feel better physically with it on when i am moving around.
talk to ur dr. before u buy one. they r expensive & if he orders one
for u after surgery ur insurance should pay for it.
— sheryl titone
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