girdle issue

Bunkey1965 · 02-28-2008, 03:30 PM

Hi havent seen anyone mention about the wearing of a girdle post op is O.K. I wear one daily and my back hurts if I dont wear it. I was concerned about the staples and the port area that will be sore after wards if the pressure of the girddle isnt good or alright to wear. Also when I wipe my self because I have a big belly I have too twist myself to clean up properly. Am I going to be a stiff as when I had a c-section? My first time visiting the toilet after I had my daughter, my husband (bless his loving heart) had to reach back there for me. I felt so embarrassed. Also, when I go to sugery am I going to HAVE to get naked in front of everyone? The thought of this makes me cringe. Do you get a cathader put in? Any person to answere my ?? would be greatly appriciated!

yokes1 · 02-28-2008, 03:43 PM

Good Luck!
You sound confused but just keep on going and youll get by ok.

**Kat817** · 02-28-2008, 03:46 PM

You will have to ask your Dr. about a catheter, I was not catheterized....and I did not go to the OR naked. I went in a hospital gown---and come back in a hospital gown, in between that time, while I was unconcious, I likely was---but never to my awake knowing about it was I ever nude.

Once again the person to ask about the girdle would be your Dr. he might even adjust where he places your port with that in mind. I know any type of plastic surgery requires a compression garment so I cannot imagine it would interfere with your incisions, but ask him--------it should not be a big deal.

I carried 90% of my excess weight in my stomach-I did not have any issue cleaning myself. This surgery was not a seriously painful surgery for me. I have had others that made this seem simple!!
I am heading for dental surgery Tuesday & would much prefer to be banded again! I really doubt you will have a problem that way---and look at it like this--if you do.....due to this surgery you never will again!

I bet your back feels lots better once you begin losing weight too--a bonus!!!

Welcome to LBT!!
Kat

Lynn_Marie · 02-28-2008, 03:57 PM

Hi Bunkey...I had 3 c-sects and trust me, LAP-BAND^® surgery doesn't hold a candle to them! I think you will find that compared to c-sects the LAP-BAND^® surgery is a breeze. I did not have a catheter, nor did anyone else I know who has had this surgery. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen though. I'm no expert, but I'd say that there would have to be other reasons for a catheter to be placed.
Good luck! You'll be fine and I think pleasantly surprised!

travelgirl · 02-28-2008, 04:11 PM

I didn't want anything tight over my port area for several weeks. It was just too uncomfortable, but you may be able to tolerate it better.

As for reaching around to clean yourself.....I didn't need them, but I remember seeing several posts that suggest buying a cheap pair of tongs just to keep in the bathroom for that purpose. This might be helpful for you if you have trouble reaching. **just make sure they don't look the same as the kitchen ones, or they might get mixed up, and that would be bad!!!

I didn't have a catheter for my surgery, but check with your surgeon to see if he does this. Some do, some don't.

You won't be naked in front of anybody except during your surgery, and you'll be out cold for that. They had me put on a hospital gown when I got there, and all the time I was awake, I had that on.

I hope this helps!

Marimaru · 02-28-2008, 07:26 PM

I think it would be uncomfortable for a little while to wear a girdle right after surgery. You should talk to your doctor, he's probably got a time frame for you for that. If I had to guess, I'd say 2 weeks.

shortgal · 02-28-2008, 07:56 PM

Most plastic surgery patients wear compression garments after surgery so I would just ask your surgeon. If it hurts, you'll want to remove it anyway.

I was given a gown and a private area to change. Have you ever watched the TV show "Big Medicine"? They show the surgery being performed and patients are draped and just the belly is exposed.

I don't think I had a catheter. The surgery only takes about 35 to 45 minutes in most cases.

Get some baby wipes and the tongs but chances are you won't be "going" much more than peeing, as most likely you'll be on liquids and BM might be less frequent with a high protein diet.

SpecialK · 02-28-2008, 08:40 PM

I'm hoping I don't have a catheter. When I had laproscopic gallbladder surgery in October 2007, the anesthesiologist asked if I could go to the bathroom one more time before they headed me back to surgery and if I thought I was all clear, no catheter. If I thought I had anything left in my bladder then maybe they'd do a catheter. Didn't need to tell me anything else to get me to go sit on the "porcelain throne" one more time to avoid having a catheter.

Unfortunately I did have sore abdominal muscles from that same laproscopic gallbladder surgery (and I'm told the muscle soreness is very similar to LAP-BAND^® surgery - nearly identical incisions too) and it made it a pain in the butt (literally and figuratively) to clean up down under for a couple days but nothing bad. I found a shower with a portable or moveable hand sprayer helps. I also seem to remember I had to keep my bandages clean and dry the first 24 or 48 hours and stay out of a full shower - just being careful to keep the water spray below my belly button in front.

Turler · 02-28-2008, 09:33 PM

Don't worry, you will be covered as much as possible! Obviously the belly will be exposed for the surgery itself, but only after you are asleep. Your doctor may or may not decide to use a catheter. If your surgeon does use a catheter, it would be done while your asleep, and most likely removed before you wake up. I can't imagine needing a compression garment/girdle for this kind of surgery and may actually be more uncomfortable than to go without one. You should talk to your surgeon or even call the office and ask these questions for peace of mind!

jfran · 02-28-2008, 10:36 PM

I had a cathedar but it was put in and taken out while I was unconscious, but when I woke up I knew they had put it in. Man did it burn to pee for several days. Like the others I was in a gown when I went to the OR and also when I woke up

mss · 02-29-2008, 07:48 AM

You may find that your abdomen is a bit swollen for a few days to a week after surgery due to the air they pump in during the op so it may be a bit difficult to wear a girdle initially. I have a thick elastic compression 'thing' that I sometimes use and I think it was about a week before I started wearing it. I didn't go to the bathroom for a few days except to pee due to being on liquids so by the time I was able to go I had no problems bending. Good luck with it all.

mbanja · 02-29-2008, 10:01 AM

I know this will probably become a sore subject, but it sounds to me like you have made your body (back) dependant on the girdle. I was having back pain and was told by my doc to limit use on back braces and restrictive girdles because they will make my back and core muscles weak and I will become dependant on them. If you plan on getting out of the girdle in the future I would say now is a good time to start weening yourself off of them. Once you heal from surgery and get the ok to start exercising, focus on strengthing those back muscle up again so you won't have any back pain. I don't know the extent of you back pain issues, so as always check with your doctor don't go by my advice alone. Also for those times that I wanted to look slim and sleek I used the Spanx support panty hose and I found that they do not bother my very sensitve port area (which by the way is just an inch above my waist line, ugg!) If I were you and had the option of doing the surgery over again I would deffinately ask for a better port site. At the time I got my surgery I didn't know that you could choose where it went. I guess some docs give you the option and some don't. Well, mine doc didn't even bring it up, so I assume he didn't offer an option. Also keep in mind where you were your jeans! If you were high waisted jeans and your port is where mine is it could possible irritate the port site. I personally wear low waisted jeans because they fit better on my rear, but because I still have the beautiful muffin top, my muffin folds over the waist of the jeans and it puts pressure on the port site too. It is not as uncomfortable as high waisted jeans, it just feels weird when I am sitting and try to twist or bend down. If I could have gotten my port placed just under my rib cage I probably would have opted for that. Oh well, hind site is 20/20 as they say. It is good you joined this site before surgery so you could get advice!!

beckio · 02-29-2008, 02:19 PM

I had a catheter put in while I was sleeping. I had asked before the surgery or I'd have never even known they did it. They said they put it up and empty your bladder and immediately remove it.
I had 2 c-sections and this pain was not even comparable, it was a breeze!

Bunkey1965 · 02-29-2008, 02:24 PM

Whats a muffin top? Im thinking pubic area, is that right? Sorry to be naieve. As with the girddles, I got used to wearing them along time ago. I sleep o.k. without one but I can see your point about getting USED to it so that my abdominal muscles get weak. I like the feeling of beeing pressed in. Makes my clothes fit nicer. It will be nice when I dont need one.

travelgirl · 02-29-2008, 02:38 PM

Muffin top is the midriff area, right over your jeans/pants that spills over, and looks like the part of a muffin that spills over the side. Most often it's referred to when you see someone wearing low rise pants, and shorter shirts, or shirts that are tight, and they're not really skinny enough to pull it off.