I am going to be the matron of honor in my sister's wedding 10 weeks after the baby is born and I am going to try to do everything in my power to look fantastic. So, I was wondering what everyone thinks of the belly bandit.
Did it work?
Did you need two sizes (that's what the website says).
Would you buy one used?
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Eh. I didn't love mine. Part of the problem, I think, was that I only ordered one size and it was almost immediately too big. So, yes, I think you need two sizes if you are going to be committed.
I couldn't really commit because it is SO uncomfortable. Not the tightness (that actually felt good), but it's itchy and digs into your ribs and hips. I will likely use it again after #2 because it holds everything in nicely when you are first postpartum, but I don't put much stock in its claims to get you back into shape faster. Next time I will do a lot of planks. Like, every day as soon as I am cleared to exercise. For me, re-building ab strength (which I am still working on at 9.5 months pp) did much more for my body than the BB or weight loss. I lost all the weight quickly and didn't have a lot of skin sagging issues - but my belly still sticks out a bit because there is no muscle tone to keep everything in... Sigh.
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I bought two and never used them. But, my tummy bounced back quickly anyway (I did not look pregnant at all when I left the hospital . . . bloated, yes, pregnant no). If things had been different I am sure I would have used them for whatever help they would have provided.
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I didn't buy the belly bandit, but something similar to it for far less. I didn't mind it while standing, but while sitting - so uncomfortable! Like @septca: said, it digs up into my ribs and rides up a bit. I liked that it held everything in and tight, but I don't think it was a factor in helping me get back in my pre-pregnancy shape. Time itself did that.
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@MamaBehr: I have heard from some people that it worked wonderfully and from some people that it didn't do anything. By the time I got mine I was more than 6 weeks postpartum so I really regret not starting it earlier. But it did hold everything in super nicely, and I can totally see why it might help (it's basically like a corset, and those worked for women back in the day!!). Your body postpartum is so soft and malleable, I can see it as a great time to take advantage and get it to shrink down quickly. I think I waited too long for it to really have a big effect. But it felt good to have it on, and helped support my back and my posture while nursing, too.
I sometimes wore it to bed!!
I sold mine here on hellobee classifieds, and I totally think buying it used would be fine. Just wash it in cold wash and hang it to dry.
Because I bought mine so late I didn't have to buy two sizes. I'd say buy the size that will fit you right away postpartum, then once you've shrunk down enough for it to be too big, maybe you can use something like spanx that isn't postpartum specific.
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You do need two sizes. I got the large, and after a week it was two big. I haven't gotten a smaller size because I'm on maternity leave and things are a bit tight. I plan on planking and working out as soon as I'm able for the rest.
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I liked the idea of the belly bandit (well the idea of getting my flat tummy back!) but hated the price tag! I searched online and read a few people had used an ACE back support wrap instead. Since that was MUCH cheaper, I figured I would try that.
IMO it wasn't the 'magic solution' but I think it definitely helped keep things tight and in place (and possibly, the uterus contract faster?). I didn't wear it overnight, just during the day at home. My stomach was flat only a few weeks PP (obviously still lose and mushy) but in clothes, it looked normal.
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Honestly I bought one but didn't need to use it so I returned it. Like @mslipgloss said, my stomach flattened when I was in the hospital (I attribute the help to the pitocin drip I was on all night after giving birth).
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@mrs. wagon: I almost bought yours, but someone beat me too it! I found one on craigslist near me and I'm contemplating buying it.
Thank you all so much for your input. It sounds like it can make a difference, so it can't hurt. This is also my third baby so I will be extra squishy. I also know my stomach won't flatten in the hospital, I am not that lucky....
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@MamaBehr: I had problems postpartum with my first (membrane left in the uterus) so my doc put me on meds to contract my uterus back down because she wanted it back to normal size before I was discharged, just in case... and when I left the hospital I still looked 6 months pregnant, just like with my first. SO you are not alone....!!!
And I agree, it can't (or shouldn't) hurt anything so might as well give it a shot! And congrats on baby #3! 
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@MamaBehr: I would also invest in some good shapewear for under your dress! Nordstrom Rack always has Spanx for super cheap.
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I had my twins last Thursday and just started wearing mine so obviously I'm no help with the end result. I can say that the bamboo version is very comfortable. It isn't itchy at all & kinda hugs everything in and smoothes everything out. I do find myself adjusting it a bit when sitting/after getting up, but otherwise it's pretty good with staying in place and I'm liking it.
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Just posted this on the deals page. Belly Bandits on sale for $39.99 (reg. $60) on Zulily!
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I think I would have benefitted from 2 sizes and/or getting a different kind/brand. I have a short torso/wide hips and the BB was too long for me, therefore, too uncomfortable to wear out. It did eel supportive and I was back in some pre-preg jeans 3 weeks pp. But I should have gotten a smaller size to keep shrinking. Once the bigger one was at the smallest part o the velcro, I just stopped wearing it because it was too long.
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I got two sizes of the bamboo style. Started wearing the belly bandit one week postpartum. I wear my maternity tummy sleeve under the belly bandit to prevent it from digging into me. It's also easier and quicker to wash the tummy sleeve rather than the belly bandit. Not sure if the decrease in stomach size is due to the belly bandit or if it would have happened naturally anyways. But I feel more secure and it was a lot easier to move around in the beginning weeks after labor with the midsection support. I wear the velcro seam on my side so it isn't bulky in the front. I actually could use a smaller size now but at 5 weeks postpartum I'm not going to order another. I was all belly, started wearing the medium, then small, and now the small is too big (feels good to say that!).
I attended a wedding two weeks postpartum and wore the belly bandit under my dress. The dress wasn't skin tight though so I didn't have to worry about it showing or looking bulky underneath.
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I am too cheap to buy two sizes and just opted for an extra small. I can't put it on by myself and have DH squeeze me in. I'm almost 2 weeks pp and have only used it a handful of times. I do recommend getting the bamboo one because it's more comfortable and not itchy like the regular one.
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I'm still pregnant so the final verdict is still out there.
In my opinion you don't need to buy two sizes. I got a bamboo BB off Craigslist in the bigger size and had someone sew on an extra panel off Velcro so I will be able to wrap it smaller when the time comes. Velcro was like $2 and since I don't own a sewing machine I paid $10 at a local dry cleaner. You can't even tell that the Velcro was added later on.
Good luck!
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@elchalten: oh, great idea!
And I agree, it can't (or shouldn't) hurt anything so might as well give it a shot! And congrats on baby #3! 
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