Abstract: A mechanism for supporting and relieving pain of an abdominal incision comprises a radially expandable bladder, a rigid waist band and a partial body garment. The expandable bladder comprises a pad, which spans a substantial portion of the abdominal region, is pressurized to apply pressure forces to the abdomen. The encircling and inelastic band overlays the entire inflatable bag and is adjustably closable at the back of the patient by fastener means. In an initial recovery period after the surgical procedure, the radially expandable bladder and the encircling band are both encompassed within a flexible body garment which can encircle at least upper-thigh region, and which compresses all zones above, below and on the sides of the incision zone, limiting the forces in the plane of the tissues that tend to act upon the incision zone, but without interfering with or impeding body movements.