How long to wear a bandage after abdominal surgery?

An abdominal operation in the abdomen is a surgical incision, which, after the procedure is completed, is sutured with special threads. This place is sensitive to loads and in the first days there is a danger that the seam will open, the operation will be repeated again. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend that, immediately after surgery, wear a special tightening bandage to reduce the load on the abdominal region and speed up rehabilitation.

How long should I wear a bandage after abdominal surgery

The duration of wearing a bandage depends on many indicators:

• Age of the operated patient;
• How fast is the process of tissue regeneration at the site of suturing;
• How difficult was the surgery.

Doctors recommend wearing a bandage for 30 days after surgery. Each person's recovery process will be different because everything is decided individually.

But long wearing also negatively affects the state of the muscular apparatus in the abdominal cavity. The lack of exercise and stress leads to the fact that under the bandage the muscles relax, their tone goes away, they become flabby. In this case, wearing longer than 60 days is not recommended. The optimal period will be from one month to 1.5.

The postoperative bandage on the abdominal cavity is worn for up to six months in case of physical labor, regular wearing of weights. This is necessary so that the seams do not diverge, since there is a strong tension and pressure from the inside.

How long you need to wear a bandage after abdominal surgery is decided by the attending physician on an individual basis. During dressings, the doctor assesses the condition of the suture, its healing, and whether swelling is present. All this affects the duration of the presence of the tightening bandage on the body. Different cases of wearing a bandage

• Age plays a large role in the ability of tissues to regenerate. Therefore, for patients under the age of 30, new tissue grows in 14 days. When a person is from 30 to 60 years old, the regeneration of the body is slower and will take more than a month to two;
• Surgery to remove a woman's uterus. In this case, the bandage should be on the body for up to 2 months. During this period, the internal seams will heal and be able to withstand stress;
• Laparoscopy is an operation with minimal intervention in the human body. But even after such an operation, you need to wear a slimming corset for a week.

It is worth noting that the bandage should not be constantly on the body. Abdominal tightening should not exceed 8 hours per day. But even during this period, it is recommended to remove the belt for a short time, so that the muscles of the peritoneum restore their functioning and keep their shape on their own. It will also help restore proper blood circulation to the internal organs.

As a rule, the bandage is worn over natural cotton clothing, it should not have seams. It is not forbidden to wear it on a naked body, but then you need to understand that over time the bandage will become dirty, fat, sweat, particles of dead skin will accumulate on it. We need another bandage, which will be a replacement for the first wash. The belt is worn only in the supine position. This allows the internal organs to take the right places and not be subjected to additional loads.

What is bandage used for?

When a bandage is prescribed, the following goals are pursued:

• The need to keep the internal organs in a natural position. They do not move, which means that the functioning is not disturbed;
• Thanks to the tightening belt, the tissues are tightened faster, scarring of the sutures left after surgery occurs;
• By supporting the peritoneum, the risk of hernia due to a weak wall is reduced;
• Regular wearing of the bandage helps to restore the elasticity of the skin;
• Being under a bandage, seams are protected from penetration of pathogenic microorganisms;
• The bandage significantly reduces the pain from a fresh wound, by reducing the load on the abdomen.

It is noted that when wearing slimming corsets, there remains the possibility of turns, tilts. In this case, sudden movements are not obtained.

The presence of a fixing bandage on the body can not only help with the postoperative period, but also be harmful if the application is incorrect. When the presence of a bandage will adversely affect the health of the patient:

• Kidney problems, resulting in swelling;
• Diseases of the internal organs of the digestive system. If an ulcer is diagnosed in the intestinal tract, then squeezing will worsen the situation and exacerbate the disease;
• Pathological rashes on the skin in the place where the bandage is applied. These can be rashes on the background of eczema, swelling, wounds;
• The development of purulent inflammation in the suture area, the appearance of blood;
• Allergic reaction to the bandage material.

Varieties of postoperative tightening bandages

For each type of operation, its own bandage is intended, respectively, how much time to wear a bandage after a certain type of abdominal operation depends on this.

In medicine, two types of slimming products are offered:

1. Generic type. Already by the name it is clear that its use is possible with any type of intervention in the abdomen;
2. Specialized. This product is used strictly after a certain type of abdominal surgery. It is used to fulfill certain goals and objectives. The specified type of dressing is divided into subspecies:

• Dressed after surgery. Significantly reduces pain, promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues, reduces the risk of complications;
• Hernial. It is put on when the hernia goes down or comes out, preventing the full exit of the intestine. This type can be worn even by children;
• Wearing before childbirth. Helps to reduce the load on the lower abdomen, prevents the appearance of stretch marks. The padded back provides support for the spine. Pain in the lumbar region decreases and goes away;
• Pelvic. Used for trauma to the hip joints. Provides bone support, significantly reduces pain;
• After childbirth. When the child goes outside, the stomach gradually begins to sink so that the skin does not sag, they put on a tightening bandage and then the muscles recover, the skin becomes elastic and elastic.

The choice of the necessary model is carried out taking into account the structure of the body, the type of surgical intervention, how comfortable it is to wear, what material it is made of. It is important to take into account all the criteria, since it is not known in advance how long a bandage should be worn after abdominal surgery, and therefore the sock should not cause discomfort.

The performance of various functions is achieved by a certain form of a medical product:

• Ribbon belt. Used to fix the lower part of the spine. Often used by pregnant women, because it can be fixed under the stomach and reduce the load not only in the back, but also reduce abdominal pressure. At the same time, there is no effect on the uterus due to the side elastic bands;
• Bungee briefs. Also used during the period of gestation. There is excellent fixation and support of the abdomen. The product has a slightly high waist, with a wide belt. Has inserts to support the back and abdominal area;
• Bungee shorts. The structure and functions completely repeat panties. They are in the form of shorts. They are comfortable to wear in winter, much warmer and more comfortable;
• Combined product. The model is a wide belt that can be worn during normal times and during pregnancy. Due to its shape, the product helps to distribute the load evenly throughout the body. For the manufacture of rubberized material is used, which indicates the strength and durability of the model. Velcro is used for fixation.

Product selection

The attending physician after surgery makes medication prescriptions and says how much to wear a bandage after abdominal surgery. Therefore, choosing the right medical product will allow the rehabilitation period to pass in comfort.

Criteria for choosing the right product:

• First of all, you should choose the right size. If the belt is small, then strong squeezing of the internal organs will lead to disruption of their work. As a result of wearing a small belt, the blood supply to the tissues is disrupted, they begin to die. If the purchased product is larger, then the desired effect will not be, the abdominal cavity will remain without support. To select the size, you will need a waist circumference. When measuring, try not to tighten the tape;
• The height of the product is also important. It should be sufficient to completely close the suture, preventing the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into a fresh wound;
• Also important is the choice of material that is used to make the tightening bandage after surgery. Medical products are made from hypoallergenic fabrics that are well breathable and do not retain moisture. As a result, a microclimate is created under the bandage, which does not allow the skin to sweat a lot. Postoperative sutures are not covered with moisture, but remain dry and continue to heal. Fabrics are taken rubberized with good stretching ability - these are latex, elastane, lycra;
• It is undesirable to buy a belt in advance. A person may lose weight or gain weight. Therefore, it is better to buy immediately after the operation;
• Clasps. How conveniently placed fixing parts. When worn, the location of the fasteners should not rub. It is desirable that the fixation takes place at several levels, then the load will be distributed evenly;
• When purchasing a slimming belt, you should try it on in several poses in order to understand how comfortable the product is;
• You should not be determined by the cost of the model. Not always a high price means a quality and comfortable product. A distinctive feature of quality in a bandage is its density, but not rigidity. During wear, it retains its shape, the edges do not bend. The abdomen is supported, there is no feeling of squeezing, the blood circulates in sufficient quantities;
• Buying a used brace can have hidden disadvantages. The bandage may no longer fulfill its functions, the tightening is not as effective as that of a new one.

Any product needs to be properly looked after, then it will serve for a long time. The same goes for the bandage. If properly cared for, the product will retain its useful properties for a long time. Rules for the care of a tightening bandage:

• Products made of rubberized fabric should be washed well in warm water and soap. This is enough to achieve cleanliness on the surface of the belt;
• Cotton models should not be machine washed. To remove dirt, you need baby soap or laundry detergent designed for baby clothes. Wash by hand only;
• The product is pre-fastened with all fasteners. So it is much more convenient to wash and the model will not lose its shape;
• When caring for a bandage, you should not use products with aggressive bleaches, because then these substances will negatively affect the skin, causing allergies;
• The product will not last long if the spin is carried out in the drum of the washing machine. Rinse thoroughly with your hands to remove all detergent residues. Squeeze with your hands, carefully, not much. You can not hang the belt to dry. It should lie on a flat surface, avoiding stretching. The product does not need ironing.

Surgery is stressful for the body. The rehabilitation period can take a long time. To help the body cope with regeneration and recovery faster, a bandage is used. It helps to reduce the load on the internal organs, relieve back pain, and allow the postoperative suture to heal faster. Choosing the right compression bandage is not difficult, but will help shorten the rehabilitation period.