Undergoing a hysterectomy can be an invasive and daunting experience. Nowadays, doctors have perfected the procedure and recovery doesn’t have to be painful or uncomfortable when you’re properly prepared. You may be surprised to learn that choosing the best underwear for after a hysterectomy plays a big part in the recovery process!
After a major surgery that affects the abdomen, you’re going to have a tender tummy. You’ll need to consider a few important features for your underwear to ensure optimal comfort while you’re healing.
Some women opt to wear hysterectomy underwear with special medical-grade compression and support to keep everything in place after the surgery. Others may prefer something looser fitting with a soft and flexible waistband to prevent rubbing and avoid any pressure against their stomach. And finally, many hysterectomy styles of underwear have the option of a silicone insert that is placed directly on top of the incision to reduce scarring.
Preparing for a major surgery like a hysterectomy can be stressful and it’s a big moment in a woman’s life. Let us make the process easier with our top ten recommended underwear for after a hysterectomy. We’ll help take a bit of the discomfort out of the post-op process so you can focus on feeling comfortable and getting better.
Here are our picks for the best hysterectomy underwear.
The 10 Best Underwear for After a Hysterectomy
Pro: Comfortable, wide waistband without tight elastic.
Con: Weird cut on the legs for some women.
Soft and wide waistband: After an intensive surgery like a hysterectomy, the last thing you want is a pair of underwear that will cause pain and discomfort on your incision. Cauniss Women’s high waist cotton panties deliver a great full-coverage fit that lays comfortably against the skin without feeling too tight or loose. The soft cotton material allows your wound to breathe and the waistband won’t roll down on you.
As can sometimes be an issue with full coverage fit underwear, some women have mentioned the leg holes on these are cut a little differently than other styles. Depending on your body type and pants size, they may cut too tight or too loose.
Pro: FSA/HSA approved medical compression.
Con: Choosing the right size is difficult.
Medical grade hysterectomy underwear: Post Op Panty specializes in underwear for women who’ve had a hysterectomy or c-section and are in need of suitable underwear post-op. Their compression fit is shown to help reduce swelling and tenderness and may even help speed up recovery. They are designed with a fluted waistband so you don’t have to worry about it digging into your tender stomach while you’re healing.
When choosing a compression fit, deciding upon the correct size is difficult to ensure you get the right level of compression you need without it being too tight or too loose. Reviewers have mentioned these fit a little looser, so consider sizing down if you’re in between sizes.
Pro: Double layer cotton gusset for ultimate breathability.
Con: Runs small.
Breathability to keep you fresh: Recovery from surgery is an uncomfortable experience, and no one wants to worry about freshness on top of the pain. Wirarpa soft high waist cotton panties have a comfortable post-op fit that won’t cause pain while also promising to keep you fresh throughout the day. The stretchy covered waistband sits high above your incision and won’t roll down during the day.
This specific style of high waisted cotton undies tends to run small. They also pose the risk of shrinking in the wash because they are made with 95% cotton. Read over the size chart carefully and make sure to dry on a cool and delicate setting to prolong the size and life of your undies.
4. ANNYISON Women’s Underwear, Soft Cotton High Waist Breathable Solid Color Briefs Panties for Women
Pro: Durable and won’t stretch out.
Con: Wash according to instructions or may shrink.
A durable pair of undies that won’t stretch out: When you’re recovering from a hysterectomy, finding a solid pair of underwear that will last you the entirety of your recovery is important. These high waisted cotton briefs are made to last and to feel soft and comfortable against your tender tummy. Made from 95% cotton and 5% spandex, these provide the breathability you need to stay fresh throughout the day as well as the stretch you need to stay pain-free after a hysterectomy. The high waisted fit won’t rub your incision and should keep you comfy all day.
As durable as these are, many reviewers have complained about shrinkage. Be sure to machine wash on cold and tumble dry low on the delicate cycle to keep your underwear fitting the way they should. You don’t want undies that are too small after a hysterectomy.
Pro: Silicone insert to reduce scarring.
Con: Weird fit for some.
Silicone scar care for while you heal: As if a hysterectomy isn’t painful enough, the threat of scarring post-surgery just isn’t cool. Kill two birds with one stone with these compression panties from Post Op that not only offer medical-grade relief but also come with a silicone insert that dermatologists recommend to help reduce the effects of scarring. These are also FSA/HSA approved and GYN recommended for women after a hysterectomy or any abdominal surgery.
In combination with the fluted waistband to ensure no rolling and rubbing as well as the silicone insert, women have mentioned in the reviews that the fit is different compared to other options. Read the reviews carefully to ensure these will suit your body type well.
Pro: Great full coverage support.
Con: Silicon strip may uncomfortably pull.
Full coverage support that helps with healing: Another great option for compression hysterectomy underwear comes from UpSpring Baby C-Section Underwear. While the name mentions c-section, these are really great for women who’ve undergone any abdominal surgery, hysterectomies included. They can help reduce swelling and decrease pain while the incision on your stomach heals. These have a sewn-in 100% silicon panel to minimize scarring and reduce the raised skin that may occur after a hysterectomy.
As great as the silicone insert is at helping to reduce scarring, some reviewers have mentioned it can pull at the incision while wearing the underwear. The best solution is to find the best sizing for you - anything too small may increase the risk of painful rubbing.
Pro: Seamless machine washable and disposable undies.
Con: Not very durable and shred in the washer.
Machine washable and disposable surgical underwear: If you’re someone who doesn’t usually wear high waisted, full coverage undies and want something more budget-friendly, these mesh post-surgery disposable hysterectomy undies from CYEVA are a great option for you. They’re made with ultra-breathable material that provides free circulation and won’t irritate your surgical incisions. These are also great because you don’t have to worry about medical stains. Just wear while you recover and throw away when you’re done. They’re made to be machine washable and disposable so you get some life out of them without a lifetime commitment.
Since these are disposable, they aren’t the most durable. The product description claims they are washable up to 20 times but some women have reported that they’ve issues with these shredding in the washer. Wash on a delicate cycle to prolong the life of your disposable hysterectomy undies.
Pro: Can be used for tummy control after surgery recovery.
Con: Some wish a little bit higher rise.
Great tummy control during and after recovery: Innersy’s tummy control high waisted underwear is like a 2-for-1 buy. They have a perfect compression fit to keep you comfy during the recovery period and are also a great pair of shapewear undies you can continue to wear long after the operation! Made from 95% cotton and 5% spandex, they have the right balance of ventilating natural fibers that still stretch and move with you to reduce pain. The double-wide, soft waistband is another important feature for after a hysterectomy.
Even though these are a tummy control and high waist cut style, they may not rise as high as some women prefer. If you like a very high waisted fit, consider a different style from this list!
Pro: Seamless construction that doesn’t rub.
Con: They fit a little tight.
Seamless construction that won’t irritate your incision: Joyshaper’s seamless underwear is a good option for women post-hysterectomy looking for something seamless, soft and smooth, and with a wide and stretchy waistband that won’t irritate sensitive stomachs. The fit isn’t tight compression, but a snug fit that will reduce rubbing without applying too much pressure. These are also a great buy for women who want to get more life out of their underwear after recovery.
Since the fit and cut of these are supposed to be snug with a bit of tummy control, reviews mention that these run a little tight in the tummy area. These are for women looking for that comfortable middle between compression and a loose fit.
Pro: Adjustable waistband for the perfect fit.
Con: Velcro may wear out.
Get your perfect fit with the velcro waistband: These girdle high waisted panties from Leonisa come with an adjustable belly wrap so you can adjust the size to exactly what you need to be comfortable post-surgery. It can help reduce swelling and some women claim it’s helped them with tummy control. This specific girdle doesn’t come with any hooks or zippers for optimum comfort.
One problem mentioned in the reviews is that the velcro on the adjustable waistband began pilling after a few uses. Limit the opening and closing of the velcro strap as much as you can and wash on delicate to keep your velcro working as it should.
Hysterectomy Underwear Buying Guide
Best Hysterectomy Underwear for Compression and Support
One feature to consider when shopping for underwear after a hysterectomy is whether or not you’d be most comfortable with a compression fit. It’s been shown that compression after abdominal surgery can help support the muscles that were affected during surgery. Compression can also help improve blood flow, which can drastically speed up the amount of time it takes for you to fully recover after a hysterectomy. A compression fit may also help reduce swelling, tenderness and bloating to keep you comfortable while you’re healing.
If you’re unsure if a compression fit is best for you, you may wish to discuss with your doctor and explore all of your options.
- FSA/HSA approved. Can be purchased with FSA/HSA card. Also covered by most private insurance.
- Reduces pain and helps speed recovery after tummy tuck surgery, hysterectomy or myomectomy surgery
- Anatomic medical grade compression reduces swelling, tenderness, bloating after hysterectomy or other...
Best Full Coverage Hysterectomy Underwear
For women interested in something more soft, flexible and loose-fitting, we recommend a pair of underwear after a hysterectomy that has a full coverage fit without compression. You definitely want to make sure that your underwear doesn’t rest on top of your healing incision, and a full coverage, high waisted fit should do the trick! Avoid a sore stomach with properly fitted undies.
Choosing a waistband that won’t bind and pinch your stomach while you’re recovering is also very important. You certainly do not want a tight elastic band sitting where you’re in the most pain. We also recommend cotton or a natural fabric in your undies so everything is soft to the touch and breathes as it should to keep bacteria out of the area.
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- ESSENTIAL FOR MOTHERS:If you just had a c-section or hysterectomy,these panties can help you get by...
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Hysterectomy Underwear With Scar Reducing Silicone Insert
Another optional feature that may interest you when shopping for underwear after a hysterectomy is a silicone insert. One way to help reduce scarring is to apply a silicone sheet on top of the incision. It helps keep the wound properly in place and facilitates quick healing to dramatically decrease the visibility of a scar. This is a method that many dermatologists recommend to women after a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy.
While it’s not an underwear feature that’s required for recovery after a hysterectomy, it’s definitely an added bonus that many people find appealing. Some women prefer not to go with a silicon insert in their underwear because they may find it to be uncomfortable at times. It’s always possible to choose a separate silicon patch that’s not actually sewn into the underwear as well if you do decide later you’d like it. The choice is yours!
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