STMs: Belly Bandit?

[kemdupuis]

Hey there STMs- wondering if I should spend the 70 bucks and purchase a belly bandit for postpartum? Those of you that have tried it, did you find that it helped get you back to normal more quickly? Did it feel better to have everything that was still loose be sucked in and more supported? Is there a specific brand of compression belt that you would recommend? I've heard good and bad, and I've read a bunch of reviews, just not sure if it's worth trying or not.

[ajm11]

I bought one to wear after I had DD, though mine must have been the cheap model because it was only $30. My thinking at the time was that it may do absolutely nothing, but it can't hurt to try it out. I'm not sure if it was due to BFing, genetics, or the Belly Bandit, but I do feel like I returned to normal rather quickly. I'll be wearing it again this time, because I also think it felt pretty good to have my belly supported. I swear it felt like a bowl of jelly after having DD.

I didn't wear mine all day and night, but I tried to wear it for most of the day.

[tatersalad]

I had a girdle style binder, the Bellefit, and I swear by it. I've heard the wrap styles can be uncomfortable and do not work as well. I'll be using the Bellefit again this time, wearing it 24/7 after I get home from the hospital for the first few weeks.

[alayne926]

I was given one at the hospital after my c-section, but ended up having to pay $200 for it....RIDICULOUS!

I will probably buy one ahead of time so I don't have to pay that much again.

[billyhorrible]

I think they're a marketing ploy. I never used one and don't really see the necessity.

It probably helps that no one I know used one and never seemed to have a problem getting back to normal.

[Widget123]

I tried a cheapy version from Motherhood Maternity and it was so uncomfortable that I gave up wearing it pretty shortly. Maybe I will consider getting a nicer girdle style one this time. I also bought a maternity belt that doubles as a post-partum support belt that isn't nearly as uncomfortable, so I will probably try that first.

[noeliav]

I did, but I don't remember paying $70 for it. Yikes.

I used it a handful of times, and mainly got it because I heard from local mamas that they needed the help with abdomen support after delivery. It was a ginormous pain, imo, because it was only comfortable while I was standing. DD was a clusterfeeding baby from the very start, so I was doing a lot of sitting.

It's still in one of my underwear/hosiery drawers, so I may put it in the bag just in case, but I really didn't find it helpful last time.

[ladymouse]

Didn't have one, but bounced back quickly. It never occurred to me to use any abdominal support - I REALLY didn't need it. I'd wait until after the baby comes and see then.

[honeybunches101]

I bought one but found that it did absolutely nothing. I did like that it made my stomach look less flabby when I was wearing it, but when I took it off, the pooch was still there. Obviously, because I hadn't lost the baby weight yet! I wore it most of the time the first few weeks and then gave up. I did split my and muscles and get a hernia so I thought maybe it would help those, but no luck. I may give it a shot again this time but I won't hold out hope that it will make me thin without having to diet and work out!

[sgarmand]

I've worked out with a "waist trimmer" for years and I've always loved it. The ones I've always used are really similar to the Belly Bandit, except they're like $20 at a sporting goods store. I've always felt like they've added extra back support and are a good reminder to keep your abs tight if you're not already in that habit. I'll definitely be wearing something postpartum, but I haven't decided what just yet. The Belly Bandit is a top possibility though.

[tatersalad]

I'm just going to be a special snowflake about the Bellefit binder and show you before and after pics.

First one is 2 days after delivery. I'm wearing the binder and still look 3-4 months pregnant and I'm swollen as heck from the IV fluids I got during delivery.


This is my abdomen exactly 3 weeks after delivery and wearing the girdle non stop. I still had 15 lbs to lose but my pooch was gone.

Results were good enough to make me wear it again this time around.

[tatersalad]

@jemomma I guess I'm just thrilled with it because I'm one of those unlucky moms who couldn't lose any additional weight while I was breastfeeding. I carried around those extra 15 lbs until I stopped nursing, and then I was able to slim down fairly quickly. I guess I'm just advocating for the girdle style binder if you are a mom who wants to go that route -I truly think the bandit wrap types are worthless. I had a friend who looks like a supermodel while pregnant who didn't want to wear one her first pregnancy, lost all the weight instantly but still had that pooch for months. This pregnancy she wore the girdle and as I predicted, she has no pooch just a few weeks post pregnancy. Genetics has a lot to do with how you will look afterwards, and there is nothing wrong with looking like you had a baby because, in fact, you just had a baby! I figured posting that would stir up some drama, but frankly this board is boring and needs a difference in opinions sometimes. I also want to give good advice to anyone who wants to wear one of these based on what worked for me. I spent money on Shrinxx Hips last time and it was a total waste.

[noeliav]

IV fluids will definitely make anyone poof up. I have such a moon face in pics 12hrs postpartum.

[ladysif]

tatersalad and alayne926 and whoever else did use one... did it help with back pain/support? I had horrible back pain afterward, resulting in full-body spasms every night when I'd lay down to go to sleep. I even went to my PCP and short of muscle relaxers (which I declined since I wanted to continue bfing) and exercise, they didn't have any suggestions. I think it was from all the nursing and adjusting to carrying him a lot, but I'm scared of it again as it really messed with my sleep and physical activity and I have been wondering about whether a girdle would help in that way. I didn't know about girdles with DS, but I started wearing my Spanx every day because they would provide a little extra support and help my back.

[alayne926]

Apr 23, 2015 16:11:20 GMT -5 ladysif said:

tatersalad and alayne926 and whoever else did use one... did it help with back pain/support? I had horrible back pain afterward, resulting in full-body spasms every night when I'd lay down to go to sleep. I even went to my PCP and short of muscle relaxers (which I declined since I wanted to continue bfing) and exercise, they didn't have any suggestions. I think it was from all the nursing and adjusting to carrying him a lot, but I'm scared of it again as it really messed with my sleep and physical activity and I have been wondering about whether a girdle would help in that way. I didn't know about girdles with DS, but I started wearing my Spanx every day because they would provide a little extra support and help my back.

It really helped with support since I couldn't bend as well wearing it. I didn't really have much back pain after DS, so I don't really know how much it helped with back pain.

[leenziepops]

tatersalad You look so good PP. But seeing your fitness check ins, I think it had a lot to do with you having strong abs prePG? Having said that I am still thinking about getting a BelleFit. Even if it just helps 5% I'll take it!

[tatersalad]

leenziepops I agree %100 on the strong abs and continued workouts during pregnancy. But I am shallow, and it definitely helped with loose skin post pregnancy, and to answer ladysif's question, yes, I felt like the girdle offered tons of support. I cried it felt so good the first time I put it on and rolled on my tummy to sleep. Tears of pure, supported joy.

[leenziepops]

Apr 23, 2015 17:52:46 GMT -5 tatersalad said:

leenziepops I agree %100 on the strong abs and continued workouts during pregnancy. But I am shallow, and it definitely helped with loose skin post pregnancy, and to answer ladysif's question, yes, I felt like the girdle offered tons of support. I cried it felt so good the first time I put it on and rolled on my tummy to sleep. Tears of pure, supported joy.

I doubt you are shallow. You just value fitness. I was told by my doctor to cease situps and ab workouts so I'm interested to see how my tummy holds up PP. I did continue with some simple core workouts but they were nothing compared to what I would do prePG. Though I never really had great abs prePG.

[kemdupuis]

Thanks for all the input ladies! I am definitely looking forward to the support that everyone is saying the Bellefit can provide (I've got a long history of low back issues, so this is big for me). I'm going to do a bit more research, but the feedback definitely helps!

[threearrows]

Totally worth it, IMO. I don't have a pregnancy without a binder to compare it to (I used the Belly Bandit), but I went the first three days without one while in the hospital, and I just remember feeling very weak abdominally (obviously)--and I felt like I had to hold my stomach with my hands lest my innards fall out. It was such a strange feeling. The binder just held it all in for my while my abs made an attempt to come back together. I think I wore if for 3 weeks non-stop after I got home from the hospital before I felt like I didn't need it anymore to support my core. It's certainly not comfortable (it's not silk or anything), and it can look bulky under a tight shirt--if you choose to wear one--but it was nice to have the support and I plan to wear it again this time.

[Nittany]

::Sort of lurking from July15 since I don't post here much::

I have a history of lower back issues and I found myself in a ton of pain after delivery (and pushing for almost 3 hours). I stopped at CVS on my way home and got a neoprene waist/back brace (wrap?) that was tremendously supportive. It was a little clunky under clothes but I liked how it held everything together and it was only something like $15.