My belly binding experience (w/pics) *3 week PP update*

[1babysmom]

Like I said, this has already been posted on DS so sorry if some of you are seeing it twice!


Now I know this will be NOTHING to those of you skinny minnies out there!! But since I'm a very visual learner, I figured I'd post these for anybody else like me. I lost my weight and my belly pretty much right away after I had DD1, and I assumed it would be the same (or similar) after DD2. Wish I had pics of my belly after DD2 (took them after DD1 but not after DD2...too depressing!), because it was NOT. I gained the same amount, but I held onto that baby belly for months, and ended up having pretty bad diastasis. I didn't lose the weight for a while either.

Anyway, so I was determined to do something a bit differently this time. Belly binding immediately PP, for starters. So I just got a cheap abdominal binder (ITA-Med, though I initially wanted this one, but just couldn't justify paying more when I wasn't sure how it was all going to work out).

I got SO much bigger with this baby than I did with my girls. My belly was stretched to the max and I carried so low. I did end up with a little bit of diastasis. I started binding at 1 day PP. Just wearing it a few hours a day and not even every day. I'm 13 days PP now and probably only worn it for 8 days total? I mostly just wear it when we go out or if I'm doing a lot of work around the house, or baby is in a sling. Provides really good support in front and back.

Anyway, here are some pics. After DD2, like I said, it was HARD to get rid of that belly...it was probably like a bit bigger than my 4day PP pic here, only saggier (lovely), for at least a month or two (and it's not like after that it got much better...it took a while). Oh, and I wear it low a lot (that's why I got a taller one) around my hips, and my hips have shrunk SO Much faster this time, too!! I am already in my pre-pg pants, which even despite my weight loss the last 2 times didn't happen right away simply because they took longer to go back to size.


My last belly pic that I took, around 38/39 weeks (excuse the SM's, but this pregnancy ATE ME UP. They probably tripled from what I got with DD2- didn't get much other than 2 teeny ones at 38.5 weeks with DD1!). http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...smith/ppb1.jpg

About 18 hours PP, I had just started to wear it.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...smith/ppb2.jpg

4 days PP- the thing is, even though you can't see it, I actually got MUSCLE tone back right away! It's totally pulling everything back together nicely.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...smith/ppb3.jpg

12 days PP, other than the extra stretched skin left under my belly button, my muscles are pretty much back to pre-pg state! I'm going to start working out lightly this week.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...smith/ppb4.jpg

I've officially got less than a fingers width diastasis! My belly is by FAR flatter than it was at 3 weeks PP with DD2. I'm down 30ish lbs from my total gain, still have about 8-10 to go though. I have only JUST started working out...today. : So I have the binder to thank for all my progress so far. Have only been wearing it maybe every few days or so and only for a few hours at a time. I think I'm going to switch back to my Ace bandage, which doesn't bind as tightly but will accommodate to me better at this point.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...h/3weekspp.jpg

It's so nice to actually feel GOOD about my body after this baby, as opposed to last time!! I got so lucky after DD1 I guess, losing that weight and belly by 2 weeks PP and not even looking like I'd given birth...without any effort. Ha! DD2 sure took advantage of my confidence in that.

eta- found some pics for reference...

Here is a pic of my PP belly after dd2, not sure when it was taken but my belly looked like this for MONTHS without improving. The thing is, there's no muscle tone really, it was just soft and squishy.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...mith/b2ppb.jpg

This was my 6 week pg pic for this pregnancy. So I obviously have a ways to go but am really happy with how the binding has helped the diastasis! (I didn't have issues with it with DD1 which obviously contributed to how fast I "bounced back")
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...mith/prepg.jpg

pics of the binder on
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...mith/bind3.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...mith/bind2.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...mith/bind1.jpg

[ciga]

how did you figure out what size to get?

[her_story]

Thank you for sharing - the visuals REALLY help!! Plus it is good to know that an off the shelf abdominal binder will work, too (vs. expensive fancy ones)!!

You are looking great momma - glad to hear that the diastasis is healing up and the muscle tone is returning!!

[Juvysen]

Awesome. Sounds like you and I have a similar story... I bounced back SO quickly after DD and then though I gained about 20 lbs LESS with Ds I ended up looking worse than I did between pregnancies! I had diastasis, too, which hadn't completely healed 2 years later when I got pregnant this time.

Ok, I'm excited - hope this belly binding deal works for me.

[mumkimum]

Oh cool - and I'm so glad you did all the pictures.

Carrying way big and low myself this time, and worried about the condition of my muscles and diastasis (and heck, my posture too - babies & pregnancy have been horrible for it).

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by ciga

how did you figure out what size to get?

I sort of just assumed medium since I'm nearly always that size in everything. But I also used the Belly Bandit sizing info- they say you can expect to be about 3-5 inches smaller once you deliver.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

Awesome. Sounds like you and I have a similar story... I bounced back SO quickly after DD and then though I gained about 20 lbs LESS with Ds I ended up looking worse than I did between pregnancies! I had diastasis, too, which hadn't completely healed 2 years later when I got pregnant this time.

Ok, I'm excited - hope this belly binding deal works for me.

Mine never really healed either, though I did start binding with an ace bandage at 13 months PP and it felt great! But I got pg right after that so it didn't have much time to work, though I still thought it helped.

[Lilcrunchie]

Thanks for sharing! I used a binder after my DD's birth (3 years ago) and will do it again this time. I've had a diastasis through all my pregnancies and never fully closed it in between (but I never did the transverse abdominal exercises along with binding that would have really helped close it).

SInce I"m pretty sure we're finished having babies after #3, I'm going to work hard on fully closing my diastasis this time with binding plus a Tupler dvd that gets into the appropriate transverse abdominus exercises to close a diastasis (Lose Your Mummy Tummy, which is a funny name LOL).

[Plummeting]

That's cool. I'm definitely going to try one!

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Lilcrunchie

Thanks for sharing! I used a binder after my DD's birth (3 years ago) and will do it again this time. I've had a diastasis through all my pregnancies and never fully closed it in between (but I never did the transverse abdominal exercises along with binding that would have really helped close it).

SInce I"m pretty sure we're finished having babies after #3, I'm going to work hard on fully closing my diastasis this time with binding plus a Tupler dvd that gets into the appropriate transverse abdominus exercises to close a diastasis (Lose Your Mummy Tummy, which is a funny name LOL).

I'm doing Tupler's stuff too!

[Lilcrunchie]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom

I'm doing Tupler's stuff too!

Cool! I've had the DVD since a few months (maybe a year?) after my 2nd child was born. Still shrink wrapped And I'm a PT, and should know better

[velveeta]

WOW! Great pictures! I think your binder is better than mine. I got the belly bandit, and it rides up a bit. But, I do like it and recommend it. I wonder whether it helps you lose weight. Like many of you, I lost weight quick with #1, and it was so hard with #2. With this one (and the binding), I am down 15# already and I am one week PP. With #2, I actually gained a pound right after birth. Isn't that crazy?

The binder helps me feel better, too. I ended up with a cesarean (undiagnosed breech at transition), and the binder is very soothing to my hurt innards.

[Mamatoto2]

The manufacturer website for the binder pictured says sizing is sm-up to 34", med up to 38", Lg up to 46" and XL up to 55". They don't specify if that's waist, ribcage, or hips however.

[josie423]

Wow, good job with the pictures and what a difference the binder has made! This'll be my third baby in 2.5 years, so I think I'll be binding this time!

How much do you wear it?

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by velveeta

WOW! Great pictures! I think your binder is better than mine. I got the belly bandit, and it rides up a bit. But, I do like it and recommend it. I wonder whether it helps you lose weight. Like many of you, I lost weight quick with #1, and it was so hard with #2. With this one (and the binding), I am down 15# already and I am one week PP. With #2, I actually gained a pound right after birth. Isn't that crazy?

The binder helps me feel better, too. I ended up with a cesarean (undiagnosed breech at transition), and the binder is very soothing to my hurt innards.

I think it does, in fluid weight. I remember reading somewhere that one of the benefits to belly binding is that it helps prevent fluid retention in your torso, so not having that would definitely contribute I'm sure! I'm down about 30 lbs, so only about 10 more to go, which is a HUGE difference from #2 for me!!!

Originally Posted by josie423

Wow, good job with the pictures and what a difference the binder has made! This'll be my third baby in 2.5 years, so I think I'll be binding this time!

How much do you wear it?

I have worn it about 9-10 days total now, and I'm 2 weeks PP, so I haven't worn it every day. But on the days I DO wear it I probably only wear it for maybe 5-6 hours at the most?

[ArtsyMomma]

Thanks for sharing!! I was considering belly binding, I'm definitely going to do it now. I want those results!!!

[Ldogg]

Yes, thanks for sharing! I'm having a c-section next week (stubborn breech baby and some other issues), so I bought a belly bandit in bamboo. Your pics are awesome, very helpful indeed. You look great!

[heidibgg]

Thank you so much for posting this! And with pictures too!

i actually ordered the one that you said you wanted. Can't wait to try it! I actually heard about belly binding from a massage therapist that gave me a Maya Abdominal Massage. She said it might help my retroverted uterus, but losing my tummy faster will be awesome too!

[josie423]

Thanks for the info! How long do you plan on wearing it postpartum?

[kittywitty]

That is very inspiring. Thank you! I was considering getting the Belly Bandit but it does look like it rides up too high. I think I'll get one of the ones you used or wanted.