compression bras vs mastectomy

[mpwflowers]

Hi I am new and am so happy to have people to share stories and life with lymphdema. I have lymphdema not only in arm but in effected breast axilla back, has anyone ever gone from mastectomy compression bra, I use manual drainage and sleeve and pump any body out there with total axilla dissection, chemo, raditation 2004 i didnt have CDL till 2008

[Linda]

There are many of us with the same problems you are having. Over the years I have tried a compressure bra (Bellisse), a JoVi pad that I wore in a sports bra, and currently I'm wearing a soft knit camisole with a prosthesis pocket.

Since the swelling tends to move around, each has been useful in its own time. I learned that a very light weight prosthesis is good because it doesn't put a lot of pressure on the chest wall. The Bellissee bra has many good features including wide shoulder straps, extra support under the arms, and lots of flexibility.

I keep trying to find a really good answer. Finally I've discovered that "the right answer" may vary from day to day. Excercise helps as does keeping my weight down. That is a big challenge.

Keep trying!

Linda

[pinkbear]

I"m very interestead in this compression bra. I have Primary LE all over. Much of the fluid is pooled in my upper body as we try to move it out of my lower body. My bra is soooo uncomfortable. I've gone from a 34 B to a 40 C or D in just a few months. My size depends on fluid for the day.

do you know anyone that has used a compression bra for Primary LE?

Hopeful,

[Cassie]

Hi, Hopeful,
I don't know about using the compression bras for primary lymphedema, as mine is secondary, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. The bra that's mentioned above is the Bellisse Compressure Comfort. You can see it here: http://www.bellisse.com/

The compression bra I'm currently using is WearEase. It's here: http://www.wearease.com/

As Linda says, I too have found that different things work at different times. For some women seamless camisoles work just fine. Maidenform and Sassybax both make good ones.

For night, I've used both Solaris and JoviPak vests. They work well, keep the swelling down. But I gotta admit, especially at this point after a very long hot summer, I sure do get sick of compression!



Hope you find something that works wonderfully for you!
Cassie

[pinkbear]

Thank you. I'll look at the website.

[Hiali]

I used a compression bra for quite some time. Like the above poster said, it does kind of get old especially after being in the heat so much. I ended up getting surgeries to remove a lot of the tissue with the lymph build up. It was a hard decision but in the long run I am happy with it.