verticle incision planned for hyst/fibroid removal I have a ?

Any of you that have had an verticle incision, and are overweight, any suggestions hints or concerns I should be aware of?
I have purchased a support band. I go in on wendsday.
Kelly

it should say wednesday! (bad speller I am!)

I can share my sister-in-laws experience with you. She's heavy and just had a vertical incision. They gave her a binder at the hospital but she thought it was uncomfortable. She rigged a "replacement" made from pillow cases and safety pins and still wasn't too rigorous about using it.

Long story short, her incision opened dramatically and now she's hauling aroung some sort of contraption called a wound vac. She says its awkward and cumbersome and is really hindering her movement.

So, the binder now seems more comfortable in retrospect.

I'm a tad overweight and my vertical incision didn't open but it stretched a lot more at the bottom portion. This is also where my SIL's opened up. So, that may be the greatest area of concern.

Be viligant about wearing your support band, maybe as low as possible. And be especially careful about bending, twisting, lifting and straining of any kind.

Best of luck to you.

Hi crazegal,
I had my TAH the first of the month, and am oh so fluffy...don't worry. I was issued a "binder" also & wore it 'till the staples were removed. I wear my reg underwear now, or if I feel the need for support I wear some light support panties. The only problems are because I am large I tire quicker and getting in & out of bed was a challange at first. I use a kitchen chair next to the bed to utilize like a hosp. bed rail & it works. You also need to take care of any area where your incision may be under folds of skin...need to keep that dry. I used a suggestion that I discovered on this site of folding one of the thousands of pads I have all over in half & tucking that into any potential problem area.
Again, don't worry...we heavier gals are used to a little xtra work at everyday life: it will be the same in healing too!
Best wishes; and see you on the other side!
Carol

How big is your uterus? Do you have other issues such as endometriosis? Just curious...

Carol, thanks for the info, I have faith I will follow the uncomplicated pathway to recovery.
Mary, I measure 24 weeks with the fibroid. Having give birth to my son 6 months ago I still feel and look pregnant. Cannot wait for this to be resolved.
Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I just had my surgery on April 6th and had a vertical incision. So far it is doing well, no binder was used at all. At the hospital they took a flannel sheet and folded it into a rectangle about 8" tall by 12'' wide and I held it against my tummy while getting in and out of bed or while coughing. Also to go to the bathroom since it was a chore with the abdominal cathetar in for 5 days.

I'm about 30-40 lbs overweight so I guess you'd say I'm fluffy. DOn't worry about it coming apart, as long as you take care of yourself all will be great in the end!

Good luck!

Hey Kelly...
22 to 24 wks was where I was w/the fibroid. Miserable, isen't it? I went through the bleeding and floods and unbearable pressure...it is so good to not have THAT in me any longer!
Hooray for your soon to be relief!
Carol

I'm about 30 pounds fluffy and had a vertical incision to remove my fibroid farm.

It healed up just fine. I had a swelly belly band which I used occassionally for support over the first 2-3 weeks and I was careful to keep the entire incision area clean and dry.

Keep well,
IslandScribe