Can't ignore it any longer....swelly belly

Okay, I am one week post-op today and I feel GREAT. Just frustrated that I cannot do all I want to because I feel like I could go mow grass and bowl.

I am thinking about what I am going to do when I have to go back to work in somewhere in the neighborhood of 2-3 weeks from now.

I haven't worried about swelly belly but now I guess I have to face it. I assume that the swelling will not go down between now and then--at least not entirely. So what to do? I don't want to buy new clothes just for a short period while I wait for this to go down. I have an office job with business casual (aka expensive) clothes are the requirement.

What's the story with the belly binders...are they for TAH only or will someone like me with an LAVH also benefit from using it to help not only fit into my old clothes but prevent the jiggly bounce that hurts right now?

Thanks,
LL

Dear LL,

I am 3 weeks post-op and my belly is still swollen every evening. If i didn't have my abdominal binder I would not be able to tolerate the weird movement in my belly. I must admit though that the binder will not help you fit into your clothes if you notice that they are to tight around the middle. What about investigating that loop the goes around your button on your pants to give you more abdominal space.

Just so you do not have to buy new clothes.

Sincerely,

MJ

You can use the binder and some ladies like them. If you have looser type dresses they may work. Sometimes discount stores or Goodwill have nice enough items, depending on where you live. Also you can get a Beband (Target) or similar brand of waistline extender/cover and that might work for some garments.

Okay thanks all.

I thought the binder was like a turtle to tighten things up.

I will just go buy a couple generic skirts or something and alternate tops.

Thanks,
LL

I'm living in dresses right now and wearing the binder about half the time. I would agree that it won't help you fit in your clothes though, but it will help the jiggly uncomfortable feeling.

I would go to a Goodwill store & get some cheap outfits. I had the swell belly for 5 months. I could not use the binder because I could not stand anything pushing on me. I hope you find what works.

What helped me was to take an empty small coke bottle, fill it water, freeze and then slip that into a sock. It felt so good on my swollen belly.

Lisa, I borrowed a ponytail holder (hairbow) from my daughter and wrapped it around the button and back through the hole....it has worked on some pants.

I'm at almost 5 weeks now and still don't like anything tight...I go back to work this Thursday.

Good luck

I am 9.5 weeks post op and swelly belly just keeps getting worse...I don't see it going down anytime soon. I think it's gonna be a while...today was only day one of week two back to work and I'm more swollen than ever! Ugh! I've been wearing leggings with long shirts/short dresses but I need to get some work appropriate dresses. I actually looked at maternity dresses at Target yesterday...lovely since I never needed them (I adopted my kids).

I am starting to get a bit tired of this...especially because it's getting worse.

Good luck.

It will be worse on days when you do more. It just seems to get more inflamed. I hope you find some cute things!