C-Section Recovery Shorts

Material is wonderful and stretchy. True to size as I expected it to be tight. Definitely feel support in all the right places. I would recommend.

Let me preface this review by saying that for the most part I LOVE these recovery shorts and I recommend Belly Bandit binders to EVERYONE I know who is pregnant.

TL;DR version of this review: I'd give these shorts 5 stars if it weren't for two big issues: (1) half of the "ribs" on the sides poked out of their reinforcement stitching within days of wear, and (2) the gusset is too small to be functional. I was between and XL and L and sized down, which worked for me.

Belly wrapping has dramatically increased my quality of life (and ability to function) after a C-section. I will 100% continue to use them for future PP periods in my life. If you are on the fence about whether or not to buy one, DO IT. You will not regret it. My belly binders are two of the best things I have bought in my entire life.

I got these shorts to replace my wonderful muslin belly wrap, which started shifting around/bunching up too much after 7 weeks of increasing activity after the C-section. (Plus, the muslin took several minutes to tie/knot -- ain't nobody got time for that with an increasingly active baby!) These shorts provide SO MUCH amazing support and compression. I wear them all day, every day. I am noticeably more sore by the end of the day when I don't wear them, even at 10 weeks PP.

I have not experienced the problem of the legs rolling up like other reviewers have indicated. I roll the top down myself on purpose (read why below) so I can't speak to this complaint.

Problems: choosing a size felt a bit like a bit of a crapshoot. I am 5' 7", and have been 170lbs since 7 weeks PP. I am an XL in waist but a L in hips. Went with a L and it fits fine.

Main problem: see the attached photos. Basically, this product has 4 vertical support "ribs" (two in the front, two in the back) made out of some sort of flexy metal coated in a white plasticky material. They are reinforced on the sides and top/bottom with some stitching. After ONE DAY of wear, one of the ribs had poked through the reinforcement stitches on the top. By the end of one week a second rib had also poked through the top. Throughout the day they wriggle up and poke me in the back/ribs, which is irritating and uncomfortable. (So far the other two ribs have held after three weeks of daily wear.) Maybe I have a short torso?

My solution has been to fold the top of the shorts down and tuck them inside so that when the ribs ride up they don't poke me. It usually works, but is really annoying when it doesn't and I have to adjust halfway through the day. If there were just a TINY bit of extra reinforcement stitching or material this wouldn't be an issue. I have considered getting some tiny iron-on patches to fix the problem, but I'm worried about whether this would irritate my skin (I am allergic to some glues) and/or destroy the fabric of the shorts.

I will also reiterate what some reviewers have said about the gusset being kind of useless (especially if you are still wearing underwear/pads to catch PP bleeding). After three weeks I still haven't been able to make the gusset work for a bathroom break. The front hook-and-eye closures take time to undo, and I have had small accidents once or twice when I REALLY had to go! :S

So if you are still wearing maxi pads or Depends (or prefer to wear underwear beneath the compression shorts) I would go with the other Belly Bandit C-section recovery product, which has a hook-and-eye gusset. You'll be less likely to pee your pants with that option. That being said, some users have indicated that the compression shorts have better support in the incision area. (That's why I went with these.)

Overall I love these shorts. I would give them five stars if it weren't for the big issues of (1) the "ribs" poking through after so little use and (2) the gusset being much too small/tight to be useful. For my next PP recovery (which will almost certainly be a C-section) I am planning on buying the other BB C-section binder to see how that works out.

So! I literally just ordered my c-section support shorts and my baby is 4 months ( I know a little late lol) but I can tell the difference from 1 wear!! I love they don’t roll, compress my tummy and also give great back support!! It’s amazing quality! I got the black in a size medium, I am 5”4 and currently 179lbs I was 203 at delivery! Mamas be easy on yourself ! But this is def worth the money!

I was honestly very impressed by the belly bandit product's strength and ability to hold in post pardom weight and fluid. I unfortunately had to return the recovery shorts due to them rolling up on my thighs. I couldn't keep them comfortable under even the loosest of pants and had to keep pulling them down, which in turn pulled the top portion down, making it not wearable. I struggled with the sizing as I am short-torsoed and needed the medium for my core, however the shorts may have needed to be slightly larger. This is a great product design and I could definitely feel the benefits for my core and even my back, just after giving birth...which for any breastfeeding mama of 4 young children could tell you is crucial. Thank you for the quick and stress-free return process, it is very much appreciated.

I am a size 6 prior to being pregnant and I got a size small. I was able to fit just fine, it is tighter the first week postpartum but as you get smaller it fits just fine. My only complaint is that the compression begins higher up therefore the mommy pooch hangs out the bottom and it doesn’t look good. Also, they should add straps or anti-slip on the top because it rides down and has to constantly be pulled up.