Lymphedema garments--compression camisoles/SHAPEWEAR
for men and women
Many of us ladies with breast
lymphedema find that we cannot wear regular bras--the bottom of the
bras are too tight below our breasts and can actually constrict the
flow of lymphatic fluid. And the straps may be too thin and
also interfere with the flow of lymphatic fluid.
We have found compression
camisoles to be a wonderful solution for us for day wear.
Each of our bodies and our breast
lymphedema problems are different. Some styles will work
better for some of us, and others of us will do better with a
different style. Please make sure garments are returnable
before you order them, since it may take several tries to get that
compression camisole that is a perfectly comfortable fit for you.
We have personally tried all of
these compression camisoles, and our comments are simply our
opinions on the experience we have had with them. We are also
including compression vests and shapewear for our gentlemen.
For those who wear a prosthesis, a
pocket for it can be easily sewn onto the garments. Please see
instructions at
Adapt a
Bra to Accommodate a Prosthesis.
The
WearEase
Slimmer Camisole,
the
Wearease CrissCross Shaper Camisole,
the
Cami Shaper By Genie and the
Support
Softee® Camisole
are the few camisoles we have found that have pockets sewn into them
to insert a prosthesis.




WearEase Slimmer
Camisole
The WearEase Slimmer Camisole has pockets already
made into the garments for the insertion of
a prosthesis. The fabric content is Bust
92% polyester, 8% Spandex, Body: 80%
Nylon, 20% Spandex. This
cami is the only one we have found to have an "A" line profile, being
slightly wider at the hip, and longer than most cami's, and having no
problems in "riding up," which we have found with some of the other
cami's if they are not "tucked in." It is also cut higher in the
front, under the arms and on the back than most cami's we have reviewed,
which we find wonderful for truncal lymphedema. Please go to
WearEase Slimmer
Camisole to see 360 degree photos. We
have found the shoulder straps very comfortable. The price is in
the range of $50.00.
We have found this camisole extremely
comfortable, easy to wear all day and to sleep in, and the prosthesis
pockets can be used to hold
Swell Spots™
in place during sleep or during the day, whether you have had
reconstruction or not.
Review by Binney: (double
mastectomy, no reconstruction)
The fabric is lovely and very
comfortable, but with enough body to do some serious work at controlling
truncal swelling. The bottom stays in place without rolling, and there's
no "band" below the breast area to block lymph flow. Prostheses slip in
very easily and stay in place well, and the coverage under the arm and
around on the back is excellent. It's cut high in front too, which is a
real advantage for controlling swelling higher on the chest, but it does
mean that the top shows with even a moderately low-cut shirt. Thinking
of it as a part of a chic "layered look" can make the high neckline a
deliberate fashion choice instead of an unfortunate medical necessity.
You might even stop by your local fabric store and pick out a lace inset
to give the neckline added appeal. (To maintain the compression, tack it
lightly in a couple of spots along the neck instead of sewing it in
place with a line of stitches). As an added bonus: this really is a
"slimmer" for hips and tummy as well.
Review
by OneBadBoob: (single
mastectomy with TRAM reconstruction) This is one comfortable cami!
One of the reasons I love it is that it does not "ride up" at all.
I agree with everything Binney has said. I actually like the
higher cut on the chest, since I can wear it under jackets and shirts,
with buttons open, and not show any "cleavage" but just a pretty black
cami underneath. And with all of the "heat" our compression
garments can add, I am happy not to have to add an additional camisole
or "dickie" to cover the cleavage area.
Wearease CrissCross Shaper Camisole:

The Shaper by Wear Ease
is a figure flattering
essential, with a
surplice neckline;
smoothes tummy, back,
waist, and hips.
Complete with pockets
for breast forms and can
be worn in place of a
bra. Great for figure
control and a
comfortable solution for
managing swelling caused
by surgery.
The Shaper features:
- Firmness for
extra compression
- Criss-cross
support to flatter
and support breast
- Built-in shelf
bra
- Non-clinging
fabric
- Lays flat
comfortably
Review by Binney:
It's BEAUTIFUL!!
I put it on and
felt about 100%
more feminine
than in any of
my other
lymphedema
garments. Stood
in front of the
mirror and
contemplated
how, come next
summer, I might
even be able to
wear it on some
115 degree day
without anything
over it. Mmmmm
-- nice! But
even with a
blouse over it,
the neckline is
very attractive
and not a
"granny
neckline." It's
comfortable,
relatively easy
to don, and the
fabric is simply
lovely. You must
really enjoy
making these!
Lymphedema is a
very individual
problem. For me,
this will work
to control my
lymphedema
except when I'm
in "swell mode"
where it spreads
from close to
the axilla
across my chest
toward the
center of my
body. At that
point, my trusty
WearEase Slimmer
is a better
option, with
it's higher
neckline and
fuller coverage.
But for simply
feeling
feminine, the
CrissCross
Shaper does the
job like nothing
else I've tried.
I have been
meaning to tell
you that I wear
my Slimmer
inside out. That
does several
things: it makes
the prostheses
easier to put in
and arrange into
place; it
squishes the
prostheses less
so they hold
their shape
better under
clothes; and it
does a better
job of
compressing my
chest without
pressing the
prostheses into
me. It means
that the shiny
side of the
neckline
stitching is
visible at the
top of my
blouses, and
that the softer
inside fabric is
outside instead
of against my
skin, but that
hasn't bothered
me particularly.
You and I talked
earlier about
the possibility
of a design that
put the
prostheses on
the outside, so
I wanted you to
know that it's
working well for
me that way. The
CrissCross
Shaper works the
same way, and I
wear it inside
out as well.

Maidenform: Control It Camisole
The Maidenform
Control It Camisole is one of our all time favorites. We find the
straps much more comfortable than the Barely There camisole.
We don't know that it would be enough compression for flying, but it
is absolutely perfect for day wear, and looks great in clothes.
There are no under wires and we have found this camisole to be very
comfortable. The fabric content is 88% Nylon, 12% Elastane. It
is reasonably priced anywhere between $32.00 and $26.00.

Cami Shaper by Genie
This cami has wider
shoulder straps, pockets to insert a prosthesis, and does not "ride
up" as some of the other less expensive cami shapers do.

Barely There Breathe Firm Control Camisole
While we also like
the Barely There Breathe Firm Control Camisole, the shoulder straps
are thinner, and for those of us with larger breasts, we find that
the thinner straps can cut into our shoulders a bit. There are
no under wires, and we find it quite comfortable. We don't
know that it would be enough compression for flying, but it is
absolutely perfect for day wear, and looks great in clothes. The
fabric content is 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex. It is reasonably
priced at between $24.00 and $19.20.
Sassybax Torso Trim
This camisole is knit
seamlessly 360 degrees in the round, the support comes from their
exclusive revolutionary design and the Sassybax blend of microfiber
nylon and Spandex. We don't know that it would be enough
compression for flying, but it is absolutely perfect for day wear,
and looks great in clothes. It is a bit pricey at
$68.00.

Support
Softee® Camisole
The Support SOFTEE® Camisole is specially
designed for light lift and comfort, this cozy garment is a pleasure to
wear. Shorter in length, the Support SOFTEE® has stretch lace straps and
double elastic bands for a smooth secure fit. Front panels open on the
outside of the camisole for easy removal and adjustment of the two poly-fill
breast forms. Available with or without stretch lace accent at the
neckline. The Support SOFTEE® is available in white or black and with or
without camisole stretch lace at the neckline. Price is $58.99.
This is one of the few camisoles we have found
that has pockets for insertion of prosthesis.
We have found all Softee®
garments to be extremely well made
and comfortable.

Fashion Forms Long Tube Bra
We
find this bra to be great when you need breast
compression and strapless. It comes with a light
pad in a pocket (you can wear it with tee-shirts and the
light pad will "hide" any "single headlight" for those
who have one breast without a nipple--but the pads come
out easily. You could easily take out the pad and insert
a prosthesis form in the pocket without a problem. It
is 80% Nylon and 20% spandex.
We don't know that it
would be enough compression for flying, but it is
absolutely perfect for day wear, and looks great in
clothes.

Serenada® Shaping Camisole

L'Eggs
Body Beautiful Smoothers
We have found these inexpensive ($5.99)
body smoothers by L'Eggs to be a wonderful addition to wearing
compression camisoles. They give firm support to the tummy, and
assure you that your compression camisole will not "ride up." We
highly recommend them. They come in both Capri and thigh lengths.

Sassybax Control Capri's
We have also found the Sassybax Control Capri's to
be another wonderful addition to wearing compression camis. Their
patented knit-in technology sculpts, rounds and trims the lower half of
the body. Eight, yes eight, different cleverly placed, knit-in support
systems lift and separate the derriere, while they trim the hips, thighs
and tummy ... all without unsightly seams. The waist band does not pinch
or roll down. The price tag is steep--$65.00. They are also
available in
a thigh length.
We have included these additional
collections of various compression shapewear for women and men needing
additional support beyond a compression camisole. Also, be sure to
view our page on
Compression Bras.

Annette
Shapewear
We have found a wonderful collection of
various types of compression shapewear, including
full body girdles,
Capri length girdles,
bolero jackets,
abdominal binders
and many other compression garment solutions for women and men. We are including
this link for those of us who need more than just a compression camisole
to control our lymphedema, and for our gentlemen.
The Annette products are very well made
and very comfortable.
Designer
Veronique
We have also found this wonderful
collection of compression shapewear for women and men. We are including this link
for those of us who need more than just a compression camisole to
control our lymphedema. and for our gentlemen.
The Designer Veronique products are very
well made and very comfortable.

Bella
Jane
We have also found this wonderful
collection of compression shapewear for men and women. We are including this link
for those of us who need more than just a compression camisole to
control our lymphedema, and for our gentlemen.
The Bella Jane products are very well
made and very comfortable.
Bella Jane will also custom make your
garments to your exact size for just a slightly higher cost than over
the counter ready-made garments.
Contour
Contour also has a large selection of compression garments and shapewear
for both men and woman.



Rainey
Compression Essentials
We have also found this wonderful
collection of compression shapewear for men and women. We are including this link
for those of us who need more than just a compression camisole to
control our lymphedema, and for our gentlemen.
The Rainey products are very well
made and very comfortable.

Under Armour
Makes a line of compression
shirts for men and women sold in sleeveless, short-sleeved and
long-sleeved) available in a variety of colors. However, they
are expensive, ranging from $40-$60. They also make great “Bike
Shorts” which are like a panty girdle—mid thigh to ankle
lengths. You can find these in Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting
Goods, Models, and at the manufacturer online at
www.underarmour.com.
Since chest/breast/truncal compression
is different for everyone we have included these links to discussions
being held on the
BreastCancer.Org
Lymphedema Discussion Board for your information:
compression bras for bigger girls:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/769265?page=1#idx_2
t-shirt style
compression top:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/769135?page=1#idx_6
new type of LE garment:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/764107?page=6#idx_178
stick-on bra
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/766712?page=1#idx_7
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/766712?page=1#idx_10
Bali bras
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/771464
http://www.biggerbras.com/bali-bras-intimate-apparel/bali-comfortshape-seamless-sculpt-tank-firm-8623.shtml
http://www.biggerbras.com/bali-bras-intimate-apparel/bali-comfortshape-seamless-ribbed-a-shirt-8019.shtml
Truncal LE solution:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/771359?page=1#idx_6
New Breast LE thread!
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/771359?page=1#idx_15
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/759378?page=135 -
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