What are Abdominal Binders and How Do They Work?
An abdominal binder is a piece of elastic material that wraps around your abdomen. It is used to support the muscles around your stomach. It also holds bandages in place and aids in the healing of wounds following abdominal or pelvic surgery.
The majority of abdominal binders are made of elastic and feature Velcro or hook and loop closures. Secondary lumbar support is also provided by some abdominal binders. Others feature straps that secure surgical drainage tubes.
An abdominal binder may be used to hasten healing after abdominal surgery. Your doctor may advise you to wear an abdominal binder after a caesarean section, bariatric surgery, exploratory laparotomy, hysterectomy, tummy tuck, and spinal surgery.
For spinal cord injuries, a correctly placed abdominal binder may be used to:
- – Support the abdomen
- – Maintain abdominal pressure
- – Improve respiratory function
Using an Abdominal Binder
You could wake up from anaesthesia wearing an abdominal binder following abdominal surgery.
Depending on the kind of surgery, you may be required to wear an abdominal binder for up to six weeks or the remainder of your rehabilitation. As you recuperate, your doctor may advise you to wear the binder less frequently.
Abdominal binders are available at most drugstores and medical supply stores. It’s critical to get the appropriate size when purchasing an abdominal binder.
To find out what size you are, measure the broadest region of your body that the binder will cover. The hips are normally the broadest section of a woman’s body. It’s generally the waist for men.
Wrap the abdominal binder over your belly, beneath your clothes, and fasten the front closures. Check that the binder is snug but not excessively tight. You should be able to breathe easily.
Maintain a clean and dry abdominal binder. It may irritate your skin or increase your risk of illness if it becomes damp or unclean. The majority of abdominal binders can be spot-cleaned and air-dried.
Follow the cleaning recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
Complications that can arise from wearing abdominal binders and how to overcome them
The use of an abdominal binder is often well-tolerated. Some people, however, find it unpleasant and hot. Although it is intended to relieve pain, compression around a surgical site may instead worsen it.
It may also make breathing more difficult, although no proof using an abdominal binder causes or worsens respiratory issues.
Compression clothing can result in an allergic response, itching, redness, and other skin irritations. Use an abdominal binder that fits properly and is made of hypoallergenic fabric to lower your risk.
There is significant disagreement over whether abdominal binders enhance the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT happens when a blood clot forms in at least one of your body’s deep veins. According to one 2007 study, abdominal binders raise intra-abdominal pressure.
This might be linked to the development of DVT. Because abdominal surgery raises the risk of DVT, some people wonder if wearing an abdominal binder following abdominal surgery is a wise choice.
Immobility following surgery, on the other hand, is a substantial DVT risk factor. So, in principle, abdominal binders may reduce DVT risk since they aid in post-surgery mobility.
Why Use an Abdominal Binder?
When used properly, an abdominal binder can help you recover from abdominal surgery. It may also aid to stabilize your core muscles and alleviate osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) symptoms.
If you’re planning on having abdominal surgery, talk to your doctor about whether an abdominal binder is good for you. Unless you know you’ll be given one, get one ahead of time and bring it with you on the day of your procedure.
In a Nutshell
Follow your doctor’s instructions on how long to wear the binder. If you see any redness, warmth, or unusual swelling on or around your incision, notify your doctor.
Contact your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the fit of an abdominal binder or if you encounter any side effects.
