Any experiences of using a 'Belly Bandit' post c-section?

[beautyandthebump]

... Good or bad? Or perhaps better alternative suggestions?

I'm due to have my baby by caesarean and a friend who has just had a c-section says it feels like her body is going to fall out of her belly, which got me thinking. Is there anything post partum that anyone has worn to help with this? To support your missing abdominal wall, to promote healing and to possibly help encourage the return of something that might vaguely resemble post pregnancy tummy? 😂

I do realise things will never be the same again, but there must be something that could help minimise the damage and aid recovery? I see a lot of these sort of things advertised and wondered if they actually help or are just a massive con that plays on the insecurities of pregnant women!

Horribly vain post, sorry.

[raviolidreaming]

I was seen by the physiotherapist the day after my section and given a tubigrip-corset-thing for my stomach, which is seemingly the same idea. It was only a week ago though, so I can't tell you if it's working!

[Redken24]

Hiya - I had an EMCS and didnt have anything over my wound. I think every consultant does the op different? I have had other HCP comment on my scar about the size, shape and how well it healed. I didn't feel like my body was falling out but others do feel pretty bad. My advice is to become mobile as soon as you can, walk super slowly (movement pulls stitches) do not feel like you have to do everything accept help. , buy lactulose for that first poo (mine was terrifying haha) wash wound everyday and blowdry it.
try not to listen to many negative stories. I was up and about quite early (maybe a bit too fsst haha) and going for small walks a week later. Anyways! I have a pal that used your belly aid and she says it helps the swelling stay down but it's not a permanent fix. Personally I couldnt have anything over my scar until a month ago was too scared 😂

[BradleyPooper]

I had a huge elastic and Velcro wrap type thing after my c section in Singapore, everyone wears them and they're brilliant. Healed super fast and was driving after 12 days. I think it gives you a bit more confidence when moving around and helps everything shrink back down. I loved wearing mine.

[AudreyBradshaw]

Had my ds by EMCS and was standing up after about 8 hours and walking/hobbling by 10-12. Was discharged from hospital after 24 hours. Going for short walks after a few days. My belly has gone back to how it was prior, with the addition of stretch marks and a bit of jiggle, but I'm still quite tender (DS is 12 weeks old). Everything fell back into place internally quite quickly and I was lucky in that I healed very quickly and felt great.

I'd probably have quite liked something like this had I know I was having a CS, but im not sure if i could have coped with having the wound properly compressed, even with the painkillers and keeping it aired out it was sore!

Second the getting some lactulose, my body just didn't even try for about a week!

[BradleyPooper]

Trying to not hijack the thread but so interesting about how people do this in other countries. I had read on Mumsnet about getting up soon after my section (can't remember why though) but in Singapore they don't let you move for 24 hours and a 3 day hospital stay is mandatory. I also had a waterproof dressing on my wound for 2 weeks, changed after 1 week. It was very different to how I hear things done in the uk but overall a very good experience.

[Rumblemumble]

I had a belly bandit and would recommend it. I had a emcs and it helped me feel 'safer' and more secure when I was moving around. Stopped me hunching over as well. Though I didn't start wearing it until around a week after as my stomach was just too painful before that! From a vanity point of view I felt better looking in the mirror as well with a slightly flatter stomach

[Applesauce29]

I had one, but only after 6 weeks. Had a Velcro type one that I used from 2 weeks. Couldn't bear the thought of anything on scar earlier (massive bruise across whole belly), although i didn't really leave the house for first two weeks. I found the stomach support helps you walk further and do more you wouldn't be doing until more healed, but you're using other muscles to compensate for loss of stomach muscle strength - I started getting unusual pains in thighs when I walked further than I should have post recovery wearing belly band.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

I didn't use anything after my first C section but after my second I used control pants. Made a big difference to my mobility and recovery. I bought cheap ones from Peacocks.

[Bluntness100]

I didn't have anything and due to varying complications was cut from hip bone to hip bonel I never felt my body was going to fall out of my belly, but I was very sore, so I walked on tip toes, because the action of putting my heels down as I walked sent shock waves of pain through me. This was even with pain killer suppositories and diamorphine. It wasn't a constant pain it was only as I walked or moved, past that I couldn't really feel it, which could have been the drugs,

However after a few days it was fine. I had disposable stitches with a sort of line with beads at either end, and my scar is like a pierce of white cotton stretched between my hip bones , you wouldn't notice it unless I pointed it out or know what it was if I didn't, I recently showed some female friends and they struggled to see it at all.

I couldn't have had something like this over it, it would have been too sore, as it was it took me a few days just to go into the loo and lift my night shirt to have a look.

[mimiholls]

I also used control pants- they were special c section ones from a brand called Cantaloop. They were super comfy and provided some light support. I never felt like my insides were falling out I think that's a bit of an exaggeration but because your tummy will be wobbly at first and you have lost muscle tone it can feel quite unsupported and strange without anything.

[beautyandthebump]

Thank you all for your feedback - it is very, very much appreciated!

bluntness - wow, that's seriously impressive about your scar! I was expecting to look like Frankenstein ever after! 😂 I figure it is somewhere only my husband will see though, so who cares. Did you do anything in particular that you would say aided such good scar recovery? The only c-section scar I have ever seen is still like a dark red colour and quite a thick/wide line years later and I just assumed that was the norm but perhaps not then?

Mimiholls - I haven't come across those and didn't venue know such things existed to be honest so thanks for this tip. Off to google now.

[mimiholls]

No probs, they are available at John Lewis.

Re scar it really depends on the individual I think, i was worried but mine is honestly barely visible and it's so low down no one will ever see it no matter what it looks like. Good luck!

[Redken24]

Mine looks like a light pink line ? Only four months old 😀 I was calling myself frankenfanny for weeks after til I dared have a proper look.

[babyblabber]

My physio said defo not to wear any kind of support unless I really had to. She said the muscles get lazy and take longer to get back to normal if they can rely on a support to do the work for them.

[MamaHanji]

C-Section Recovery, Incision Healing, Compression Abdominal Binder - Medical-Grade Bellefit Corset - Size: L https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004PBJ2UE/ref=cmswwrcppapi_22.RybFAHA112

This is what I used and it was incredible. It enabled me to stand upright and not feel like my insides were falling out. I loved it. It's bloody hard to get into and expensive but so worth it.