Question:
I need some feedback from people who had a large apron on their stomach

when they had surgery. Can your incision tear open from your stomach hanging down? Please let me know anyone's experiences. Thank you,    — Judy W. (posted on March 6, 2002)

March 6, 2002
I carried most of my excess weight in that area. My incision does not go quite to my belly button but is 8 1/2 inches long. I never had an incisional tear.
   — Ginger J.

March 6, 2002
i too carry alot of excess weight in my tummy area i had open r n y on feb 8 02 and have done quite well i would say definetly wear your binder when up and about and you should be ok best of luck to you :)
   — carrie M.

March 6, 2002
I had a very large abdomen and was afraid also that the incision would open up from the pull of my abd wt on it.My incision went from my sterun to 2 inches below my navel and I had no problems. My staples were taken out before I left the hospital on the third day after surgery I had an open DS. after the staples were out and there were only steri strips holding the incision together I was really worried but there wasnt any problem. My doctor did not recomend wearing a binder, so I did not.
   — Dian C.

March 6, 2002
I carry alot of weight in my belly area (although its getting less and less now lol). I had an Open RNY and the incision started up at my bra line and is only 3 1/2 inches long so the heaviness of my lower belly didn't affect it at all. Ask your surgeon to approximate how big of an incision you will have, that may calm your worries.
   — Donna L.

March 6, 2002
I had a very large apron prior to my surgery my incision was 11 inches long. I had no problems healing I wore my binder about 2 weeks. Good luck.
   — susan V.

March 7, 2002
I think that in general the open RNY incision ends pretty close to the belly button. I'm only 5 feet nothing tall and mine still ended above the heavy "hanging" part of my apron. For added assurance make sure you are given a binder.
   — Bobbie B.