The respective side edges 148 can be associated with one another to form seal 48 using techniques known in the art, including, for example, using adhesives such as hot melt adhesives and construction adhesives, chemical or solvent bonding, ultrasonic welding, stitching, heat bonding, or any other method of affixation known or hereafter discovered. [0083] The absorbent garment 10 of the invention m