TVH: To band or not to band....

Hi ladies! I am scheduled for TVH...at my pre-op, I asked my doctor if I would be provided with a belly band or if I should purchase one. She said belly bands are for people who have had an abdominal incision and that she didn't think I would need one. TVH ladies or others, did you find the band helped? I'm thinking it would make me feel more supported...like it would be holding everything firmly in place. I'd love to get one at the hospital so my insurance would pay for it but I'll buy one if I need to. Besides online, where can you find one? I'd like to be able to try it on.

Thanks for listening!

I would get one if you can. I asked my dr. the same question and she said many of her patients find them helpful.

I had lap so only had 3 small incisions. It wasn't the incisions that hurt, it was my insides. Regardless of the surgery you have, they still remove all kinds of stuff inside and in my case, have to separate organs etc. I found my belly band indispensable for about 2 weeks since I felt that my insides were just going to fall to the floor.

If you can get her to get you one that your insurance will pay for great, if not, I would buy one. I bought the cheaper one from the Hystersister store and it was wonderful. They also have one with hot/cold packs that probably would have been nice. You insurance still may cover it as a prescription item so check on that too.

Never had a band, or felt a need for one.

Hello
I loved my band and used it alot! I am now 6wks post op with abdominal incision and just using undershapers now! I got them at walmart $6 a pair and give you that extra support and help with the swelly belly! Good luck...see ya on the other side!
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I also had a TVH. I'm glad I didn't get a band because my tummy was so tender I wouldn't have been able to wear it. I couldn't handle anything around my tummy for about a month post op. No pants or underwear during that time - at most I could wear loose pajama pants for a couple hours.

I had the four incisions from lap, and only a slightly swollen belly. I didn't feel a need for a band, although I had bought one from Walgreens for about $30 the week before my surgery. Now that I'm home I find that I use my small pillow whenever I feel I need a little support, ie getting up, sitting down, going to the bathroom. I saved my receipt and plan on returning my binder as soon as I feel up to shopping. I am in love with my tiny pillow, and used it every day since the surgery, but honestly feel better with nothing constricting on my belly most of the time.

I never thought I would need one since I had davinci with a vaginal removal. However while in the hospital I told the nurse I had a lot of pressure. She got me a band to try, said people either love them or hate them. I love mine. Even though I only have a few small incisions it sure helps the swelly belly feel stable while moving around.

I had a TAH, and I'm plus size, I didn't use anything over my tummy, bands, pillows etc and I felt perfectly fine during my recovery