Question:
Why would a physician recommend an abdominal binder?

Woudn't it be better if the patient developed their own abdominal muscles for support ?    — Anna B. (posted on April 3, 2003)

April 3, 2003
Anna, the binders are for you to wear right after surgery (I had open RNY). They help cut down on the risk of hernias and give you much needed support during your recuperation time. It has nothing to do with how strong your abdomen muscles are. I wore mine for 1 month. It makes you feel secure and together. Best wishes!
   — Patty.W

April 3, 2003
The first day you are post-op, it will become clear to you. my doc does not use binders and silly me, not knowing I could buy one on my own, walked around holding onto my belly. I just felt so much better with a little support.
   — Delores S.

April 3, 2003
I'm 18 wks now and feeling great, loss 72lbs or more ( haven't checked since 2 wks ago.) Anyways On my last visit (on the 27th) to my surgeon he told me to start using my binder again. because he do not want me to get a hernia. Enough said I don't want none either. I had a hernia op years ago. So I guess the binder goes back on. or maybe I can buy a panty girdle. atlease it won't ride up on me.
   — Naes Wls J.

April 3, 2003
I had no say in the matter as I woke up from surgery with one on. It was something I wanted anyway just for the extra support, however, I am going to design a binder for the pear shaped people and become rich. They crammed me into an x-large instead of using like 2 smalls or something, consequently once I was moving more it would bunch up as it wasn't long enough and big enough to truly go around the gut and therefore slid up. I actually stopped using it after 1 week because after the surgeon removed my staples it really hurt to have it rubbing etc. on my incision. I certainly did not plan to stop using it that early. If they had given me two, put together, then I could have angled the closing so that it flared a lot more at the bottom. For me it also could have been 2 more sections longer, because that would have helped it stay down also. Now it's plenty big and I can do that but it still would work best if it was longer or get one of those that is attached to underwear. <p>When I used my BiPAP machine the other night I put a binder on so that if the pressures were still too high I would not end up hurting real bad again. I'm also going back to working with my trainer this weekend and am seriously considering wearing a binder just for extra protection, even though we are not going to do any ab work. However, it will still be a pain, even angled to be larger at the bottom because it's not long enough. Oh well! I think you will find the binder comforting, especially at first.
   — zoedogcbr

April 3, 2003
Its feels good to me, gives me support. I am 2weeks post-op and it seems to really help. My doctor told me to lay a folded pillow case over the incestion that stops the binder from rubbing. Good Luch Diana
   — Diana B.

April 4, 2003
My surgeon doesn't require a binder, but I went and bought one on my own. Best money I ever spent. It makes you feel supported and tucked in especially with a large open incision. I couldn't wear it until 12 days post op, when my large g-tube came out. After that it felt great. In the days before I wore my binder, I held a travel size pillow over my tummy for support. If your doc doesn't suggest one, get one anyways! Hugs, Kim S. Open RNY Nov. 4, 2002 (-105)
   — Kim S.