Is it worth buying an abdominal binder?

I took the binder off because it is too big.... I can wear flexees panties and get the same effect.

How soon can you wear it? Are there "rules" about when to put hot vs. cold on your abdomen with regards to the incision?

they put the binder on me in surgery. it was on when i woke up. i wore it for 2.5 weeks. i tried taking it off to sleep, but that was uncomfortable. then i only wore it when up walking around. when i didnt wear it, i would swell up worse and had more pain

at 3 weeks, i switched to spanx-type support garments. it provides enough support during the day. i no longer need to wear anything at night, although i do use pillows to support my stomach when on my side.

i didnt use the hot/cold pads with my binder. i have recently started using a heating pad on my stomach when it is sore. but my incision is closed. i wouldnt have used it before.

Did you bring your own binder to the hospital or did they use one of theirs on you?

the hospital provided it. you should ask your doctor if they will be putting one on you in surgery. my doctor said everyone that she operates on gets one.

Thanks! I will ask.

I had a binder after my two c-sections (bikini cut) - woke up with them on after both surgeries. The first time, I didn't know any better and as soon as the doctor said it was all right for me to take a shower, I ripped that thing off and wound up on the shower floor doubled over from the pain - thankfully this was at the hospital. The second time, I wasn't in that much of a rush to take it off.

I am having the da Vinci hysterectomy - am I going to need one since this is way less invasive surgery?

I had a TAH, so I'm not sure. But the support is more for the insides, which should be the same no matter what kind of surgery...right?

It's been 2 weeks since my TAH. I don't wear it when I go out, unless I'm feeling sore....but I do wear it on my walks which really help hold me in. If I go out, I keep the binder in the car just in case I need it.

I have a pillow and a body binder. My binder came home with me from the hospital and I honestly can't imagine how I would manage without it. I know when I was in the hospital and they would undo my binder to check my incisions, the pain without the binder was so much worse than when they would put it back on. It also makes a difference as to how tightly I have it on. Tighter is better for me. But I don't know about everyone else.

I hope this helps.