TAH One week post hysterectomy: Abdominal binder and steri strip question

As far as the abdominal binder who uses it and who doesn't ? My nurse told me at the hospital to use it for a couple weeks. I used it for like 4 days then couldn't anymore. With the swell belly and how my body is naturally extremely curvy it made me more uncomfortable with it than without. I have an outting tomorrow and think I might wear it then to keep things well held but other than that I can't stand it.

And the steri strips...I was told I can take them off at 2 weeks. When did you take yours off and did you let them fall off on their own or just take them off? I still have a week left till I can take them off but the thought of doing so makes me nervous.

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Originally Posted by NavisiaKatu As far as the abdominal binder who uses it and who doesn't ? My nurse told me at the hospital to use it for a couple weeks. I used it for like 4 days then couldn't anymore. With the swell belly and how my body is naturally extremely curvy it made me more uncomfortable with it than without. I have an outting tomorrow and think I might wear it then to keep things well held but other than that I can't stand it. And the steri strips...I was told I can take them off at 2 weeks. When did you take yours off and did you let them fall off on their own or just take them off? I still have a week left till I can take them off but the thought of doing so makes me nervous.

I found ice and abdominal binder comfortable first 2-3 weeks then not...don't know why? hey you can always put steri strips back on..i mean clean ones if you think you aren't hangin' together..buy them at rehab or pharmacy..
I took mine off ..well I left them on two weeks as thought I needed it..*(I'm a nurse)

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Originally Posted by corky1 I found ice and abdominal binder comfortable first 2-3 weeks then not...don't know why? hey you can always put steri strips back on..i mean clean ones if you think you aren't hangin' together..buy them at rehab or pharmacy.. I took mine off ..well I left them on two weeks as thought I needed it..*(I'm a nurse)

Thanks for the info!! I will probably "try" to take mine off at 2 weeks. If I get to freaked out Ill wait a little longer hehe

If the binder is too much but you want some support, try support panty hose, a larger panty girdle, some find yoga pants give nice support but room to expand when swelly belly hits.

I did not use one, never heard of them until after when I came here. But then I did not have abdominal. But I do have a belly that jiggled when I walked so I would hold it with my hand. Kind of looked like you see pregnant women who walk around holding their belly!

I woke up from surgery in an abdominal binder and I was told by my doctor that I have to wear it nonstop for six weeks (except in the shower). I find that it's a lot easier for me to stand up straight and do things with the binder on than it is with it off. Showering is a nightmare still (I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post-op). All that being said, I should add that I also had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time. The plastic surgeon took tissue and a little muscle from my abdomen to reconstruct my breasts. So I have a huge incision and the binder is a wonderful thing.

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Originally Posted by charlotteel If the binder is too much but you want some support, try support panty hose, a larger panty girdle, some find yoga pants give nice support but room to expand when swelly belly hits. I did not use one, never heard of them until after when I came here. But then I did not have abdominal. But I do have a belly that jiggled when I walked so I would hold it with my hand. Kind of looked like you see pregnant women who walk around holding their belly!

hee..I do the same thing..find I place my hand on my belly as I walk...sometimes I notice another stranger doing this and I think..hmm..you must have had this stuff done

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Originally Posted by Becca32385 I woke up from surgery in an abdominal binder and I was told by my doctor that I have to wear it nonstop for six weeks (except in the shower). I find that it's a lot easier for me to stand up straight and do things with the binder on than it is with it off. Showering is a nightmare still (I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post-op). All that being said, I should add that I also had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time. The plastic surgeon took tissue and a little muscle from my abdomen to reconstruct my breasts. So I have a huge incision and the binder is a wonderful thing.

oh my...you've been through a lot...my girlfriend had this done...she found it all rather painful...sounds like you're doing well...emailing at 21/2 weeks and trying to shower..you take care...my girlfriend is happy with everything...but she's like post op a year now

I found after I got home the binder was getting in the way of gas moving and was more comfortable without it. As for the steri strips, I had staples that were removed before I left the hospital. The steri strips really weren't holding anything. They were stinky and I took them off at 10 days.

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Originally Posted by NavisiaKatu Thanks for the info!! I will probably "try" to take mine off at 2 weeks. If I get to freaked out Ill wait a little longer hehe

your body will tell you...it may be different for you