bending and belly bands

When I had my staples taken out last Friday my Dr was in surgery so the nurse in the office took care of the staple removal. She told me I could bend over wheneve I wanted, just to be careful. Still have the 10lb weight restriction, though. (She is also the one who told me that I didn't need the belly band....Hah!!)Has anyone else been told this? The RN who helped check me out of the castle said no bending at all and that the belly band was going to be my new best friend until at least the 4 week Dr check. I have been bending here and there since Friday. Doesn't feel any worse but what damage can I be doing that will show up later.
I need some advice here, sisters!!

well, i am really out here in the dark. never heard of a belly band and i guess my dr.is from mars. he said. 2 things and only 2 things. nothing in the vagina for 6 weeks,nothing. don't lift a thing over 10po. the rest is up to you..do everything you can. the more you move and do the faster you will recover..3 weeks and i think it will never ever feel better..i have been very active and then i lay in the bed. so who knows.? wish someone could tell me, does laying around make anything get more comfortable? bending is fine with me its the standing. wow. just go at your own speed. and hope for the best. regards nipper

My doctor never said that I couldn't bend over, it was just very uncomfortable and I tried to avoid it as much as possible for the first few weeks (about 3). My friend gave me a *grabber* and it came in very handy during the time that bending was painful. I'm five weeks now and swelly belly is beginning to diminish a smidge and bending is easier.

Hi Nipper: Seems that every doctor or hospital is different. It's kind of like the common cold.........some swear by chicken soup while others head for medication. Do what works best for you. I have heard that alot of sisters out there were not given belly bands when they left the castle. I have worn mine every day. I woke up wearing it a few hours after surgery and aside from showering I did not go without it at all until Saturday night when I slept without it for a few hours. Surgery was 2 weeks ago yesterday. I think I will be wearing it for a while!! You might want to out the Hyster Sister's online store for their "swelly belly" band. I don't have one but have heard they are very nice. I have also heard that the bands are more helpful for those of us with a little of that middle age spread....if you know what I mean. If you have a flatter tummy, perhaps your Dr didn't feel that you needed any extra support.

Hi Tamarin: I have a "grabber" too. Only problem is that it is never in the right place at the right time. I really can't say that bending was painful because I was loaded up on percoset for the first 12 days. I am just being really careful and taking one day at a time.

bending is fine for me. stretching out to get something hurts some, though! i guess we are all different. my doc set my weight restriction to below 40 lbs. it hurts to lift that much, so i keep it to 20 or 25 lbs and below. what hurts the most is prolonged sitting! i try to move around quite a bit, but i also try to lay down quite a bit, too.