Curious about postpartum belly binding? Read on for more information about our experience at Maygi Beauty in Hong Kong.
If you’re navigating the beautiful yet challenging journey of postpartum recovery, you might have heard about belly binding. In fact, after just one Google search, I was thereafter inundated with ads of multiple brands and practitioners offering this service. With so many options to consider, I decided on several factors that I deemed most important: clear, native before-and-after results, unpaid celebrity endorsement, the longevity and reputation of the company and, if we’re being completely honest, the centre’s proximity to an MTR station exit.
Having a summer baby is wonderful for many reasons, and I was lucky enough to have a postpartum nanny for two months, but boy, was the thought of being outdoors in the heat and humidity daunting. Knowing that I would be starting my belly binding experience in the thick of this weather (and I’ve seen how those wraps look!), one of the key points to note was to find a centre that offers a treatment that still allows physical flexibility while being super effective.
Back to the main topic at hand, though. The practice of belly binding can be traced back to many cultures, including those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This traditional practice is gaining popularity, and for good reason! It’s all about providing support and helping your body transition after pregnancy.
That’s when I found Maygi Beauty. At the heart of the brand is the inspiring vision of its founders, Maygi and Angie. Together, they focused on “rebirth” and developed the advanced “360-degree tummy-binding technique”, creating a comprehensive treatment that not only reshapes the body but also maximises one’s postpartum healing capabilities.
At Maygi Beauty, belly binding is integrated into holistic postpartum care, alongside practices like gentle stretches and state-of-the-art medical-grade FDA-approved machines. The practitioners provide a comprehensive recovery plan that extends beyond the mere wrap, providing personalised experiences that cater to each client’s needs.
What is total body binding?
In today’s landscape, there is an abundance of centres and self-employed practitioners offering belly binding services. What I’ve learnt is that some practitioners advocate for a “tighter is better” approach, but this notion is misleading and can lead to more injuries and further misalignment.
Maygi Beauty’s philosophy has an emphasis on managing postpartum abdominal diastasis and correcting pelvic structure. The binding technique promotes muscle reconnection and proper realignment of the core, offering compression and support, focusing beyond just the belly and actually encompassing the entire abdominal and hip area for total body recovery.
Founders Angie and Maygi were raised on their family’s organic farm, where they were immersed in the knowledge of high-quality herbs for natural healing. This holistic standard sets them apart from other treatment centres.
Regardless of a 5, 7 or 10-day programme, many new mothers report feeling more grounded and confident after the full course of treatment at Maygi Beauty. It’s all about that sense of support and feeling more ‘you’ as you transition into this new chapter of life.
The Maygi Beauty experience
When you book a postpartum total body binding treatment at Maygi Beauty, you can expect a warm welcome and a thorough consultation. The team will assess your needs and explain the process in detail, ensuring you feel comfortable every step of the way.
During each visit, you’ll experience a very professional yet relaxing environment where you can unwind. Their expert practitioners will guide you through the treatments, making sure you feel supported and cared for. You’ll also have the same member of staff work on your belly binding and treatments throughout the entire course, providing a very tailored and specialised programme that’s just for your body. The team’s magicians will weave and wind their wraps to ensure every day’s belly binding will encourage the best results.
Depending on the plan you choose, the daily belly binding treatment can last anywhere from one to three hours. Many mothers opt for add-ons with specialised medical-grade machines to fully optimise their recovery. I went for the full shebang — cupping, heat therapy and even radio frequency treatments to target deep, deep within. On top of that, my practitioner Zoe also used additional full-body sculpting techniques to enhance my body’s recovery.
Throughout the process, Zoe constantly gave me incredibly useful insights about diet and recovery that I never considered. Did you know you’re meant to drink hot soups and tonics before eating a meal? This allows your gut to absorb all the good nutrition from the long-boiling ingredients before the avalanche of food follows. Zoe also showed me (unprompted!) several simple exercises done in the comfort of home to strengthen my core and stretch my poor lower back.
Every morning, before we started the intricate belly binding process, she asked for my experience from the previous day and tailored the way she wrapped my abdomen accordingly. While most centres use one piece of cloth to bind, at Maygi Beauty, the team uses different lengths of cloth, overlapping strategically, to correct your postpartum body. This modern practice allowed for more ease of movement throughout the day and a more targeted style of body realignment. I was able to comfortably sit, dance, work and play with my baby without any resistance.
My results
One of the most rewarding aspects of belly binding is seeing the transformation. Numerous celebrities and socialites have shared their before-and-after photos on social media, showcasing how the team at Maygi Beauty has helped them feel more like themselves again.
As for me, an absolute numbers nerd, I kept track of my weight and body measurements every single day. I was reminded multiple times throughout the process that belly binding is not, in fact, for weight loss or any sort of fast fat-burning programme. It is a mindful practice of body realignment and recalibration. And, wow, did I feel a difference.
I lost 5cm across my ribcage and waist, and 2cm from my hips. While I was previously unable to button my prenatal booty shorts before starting the treatment, by the last day, with a few deep breaths, I was able to button them all the way to the top. I also felt less bloated in my whole body with improved circulation, and even my arms looked slimmer. A miracle! Certainly, a feat I did not imagine I would achieve within 10 days. Additionally, with the full-body sculpting techniques Zoe used on my shoulders and back, I lost a lot of tension that I was holding in my upper body.
Aside from the physical shrinking and refresh, I also felt a marked improvement in my stance, posture and muscle control. I guess being forced into an upright position (basically a brace!) 10-12 hours a day really does compound into better habits.
Overall, my experience at Maygi Beauty was very positive. Although I was initially a bit sceptical about the benefits of belly binding, their expert team of practitioners definitely went above and beyond to make my exhausted, sleep-deprived self feel a little more, well, me. I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience to postpartum mothers who need a boost to restore their bodies in a gentle yet effective manner.
Contact Information
Phone: WhatsApp (852) 6695 5835 to schedule a free consultation.
Website: www.maygi.com
Email: info@maygi.com
Address: 7th & 12th Floor, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal time to start belly binding postpartum?
It’s generally recommended to start belly binding 4 weeks after a natural birth, or 6 weeks after a C-section. Of course, always consult your doctor before starting any treatment, as every woman’s recovery time is different.
How long should I wear the belly binding each day?
While recommendations may vary, especially during the early postpartum period, the general recommendation is to try for around 10 hours a day. Your therapist at Maygi Beauty can provide personalised recommendations based on your needs.
Can I use belly binding if I had a C-section?
Absolutely! Many women who have had C-sections find belly binding helpful for support and recovery. I had one myself, and the only difference was that I was told I had to wait 2 weeks longer than natural-delivery mothers to give more time for my wound to heal prior to starting the treatment.
