Belly Binder

I just have to say how much a belly binder is helping me with my c-section recovery. I highly recommend one!! I got a cheap $30 one that shows under clothes but has great support!! Hoping it will help with skin recovery too.

 

:good: I had one after my c/s (hospital gave it to me) and it was awesome!! Helped with recovery and helped me feel more secure.

 

What is this thing and where can I get one? I have my c-section scheduled for 9/3 - I hope I can make it that far. This belly binder sounds helpful, is the hospital supposed to give me one? Thanks for the recommendation Annti!

 

I got this one- the Gabriella abdominal binder: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WFT3II/ref=oss_product

I also have a Loving Comfort one too. Belly Bandit is another great product (apparently). The hospital didn't give me one but I had done some research and found it helps with recovery and with "binding" your abs back together while you have a lot of elastin during the first 8 weeks postpardum. Plus it helps make you look a lot better. I'm 6 days postpardum and I look "thick" with it on rather than 5-6 months pregnant. Love it!

 

Hi Annti,

Thank you for the suggestion. Did you buy the binder before you had your c-section and, if so, how did you decide which size to buy??

 

I agree! :good: My doc gave me one the next day after my surgery because I was absolutely so incredibly miserable. It made all the difference. I wore it for a good three weeks after I came home too. My insurance paid for it, as the doctor recommended it while still in the hospital.

 

Jessietrio-
I actually just guessed. I read a lot from people who had bought the Belly Bandit (their site has sizing suggestions) most of whom bought too large. I figured since all the weight I gained was in my belly, that I would drop quite a bit in size right after birth. Hence, I ordered the small (I'm size 6 when not pg). But go to Belly Bandit's site and use their suggestion of measuring in the 8th month and then subtracting a few inches (I think). If you're close to the next size down, use that as a guide for other binders.
good luck.

 

After I had major abdominal surgery I can't stand anything tight on my belly. I think this might not be comfortable with the tightness. Anyone else know what I am talking about? just trying to plan.

 

I also used the one the hospital gave me. You could see it under tight clothes, but as someone else said, it just helped me look "thick" and not 6 mos preggo! I bought a Belly Bandit, but it was too big (I bought according to their size description on their website, but I guess with Twins, the sizing is different (even though their site says it's not). I should have bought no bigger than a Medium and I got a large, so I just stuck with the one the hospital gave me and saved the $40.

Now, at almost 3 months post baby, I went and bought one of those spandex body tights that is like boy shorts and goes high up my belly. It smooths out all my lumpiness under tight clothes and makes me feel less floppy. Kind of like Spanx I guess, but a different brand. They had light support to extra firm. I got the extra firm since my belly still looks floppy and like 4 to 5 mos preggo!!

 

Thank you for recommending this, Annti! I got this belly binder and brought it with me at the hospital. I wore it there while walking around or lifting babies, and it helped. Also, it helped with the gas and constipation situation after the surgery, after wearing it for an hour I was able to go during the last day in the hospital. I wore it at home an hour here and there and, now, 11 days after the C-Section I look like I had a big lunch, and I am only 8 # over my pre-pregnancy weight. I liked this belly binder and I would recommend it to anyone having a C-Section. Of course, make sure it doesn't hurt and it's not too tight, and don't wear it too long in the beginning.

 

I didn't have a c-section but the nurses gave me one the day after the boys were born because I couldn't stand up straight because all my organs had shifted and my abdominals were shot from all that baby. It was a god send and I wore it several weeks postpartum, it helped contain the twin skin...and it was nice to get compliments on how great I looked The one they gave me was really wide (from top to bottom) so I started it under my boobs and it ran down to my hip bones so you could not really tell there was anything there, it just helped tighten things.
For vanity looks later I have a couple "yummy tummy" cami's that are regular cami's on the top and bottom with a spandex middle, so they look like regular camis under your clothes but tighten your middle. They work ok, but tend to ride up so I was constantly pulling it down.
I've heard good things about the belly bandit too. I would not recommend the boppy brand that it supposed to work as a back support during pregnancy then spin it around for belly support. I first tried it as a back support to keep my belly weight from wrenching on my back and it was so uncomfortable and itchy. (I tried it on and immediately put it back in the box and returned it)