Large lower abdominal incisions are still used in many types of common gynecologic surgeries. Patients may experience pain and restrictions to ambulation because of this, which can make healing after surgery harder and more complicated. Abdominal binders, through their added abdominal support, may provide a low cost intervention to help people heal. The study team aims to investigate the effects of abdominal binders on walking in the post- gynecologic surgery period.

Laparotomy is a commonly utilized modality for abdominal entry in benign gynecologic surgery despite preference for minimally invasive techniques when surgically feasible. As with other major abdominal surgeries, patients may experience pain and restrictions to ambulation related to the abdominal incision that complicate the postoperative period. Abdominal binders, through their added abdominal support, may provide a low cost, noninvasive intervention to enhance this vital recovery period. Though the use of abdominal binders have been studied extensively in the postcesarean section patient, no report to date exists assessing the effects on abdominal binders in the postoperative course of benign gynecologic surgeries. The study team aims to investigate the effects of abdominal binders on ambulation in the postoperative period after laparotomy for benign gynecologic surgery. The primary outcome is quantitative ambulation via electronic step counter. Secondary outcomes include time to ambulation, quantitative narcotic utilization, visual analogue pain scale, subjective overall wellbeing. With 85% power the study team attempts to calculate a 1200 step difference in means between abdominal binder and control groups using 67 patients per study arm.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English-speaking
• Female
• Patients undergoing benign hysterectomy or myomectomy via low-transverse laparotomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA classification of three or higher
• Malignancy
• Non-English speaking

All of the individual participant data collected during the trial, after deidentification.

Immediately following publication. No end date.

Investigators whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee ("learned intermediary") identified for this purpose. To achieve aims in the approved proposal. Email to the primary investigator with IRB-approved proposal.