Whose advice to trust more

[HerDotness]

I've learned--expensively--and my lym-therapist agrees that whatever you discover works best to reduce and maintain is the right thing. Unfortunately, finding what that is at any given time can be a matter of trial and error, particularly when you've only had secondary lymphedema for a little over a year as the result of breast cancer treatment as I have.

I recently determined that the expensive mastectomy bra (not a trunk compression style, just a regular-style one) with a $25 foam channel pad in its side pocket which I let the fitter talk me into buying not only didn't help reduce my occasional underarm swelling but actually seemed to make it worse. More frequent self-massage as well as a Jobst vest or a compression camisole proved much more effective and somewhat more comfortable even when swelling was most pronounced.

I let the fitter talk me into this bra and pad even though my instinct and my therapist said a compression camisole would be better for me. I wish I'd trusted my feeling it was inappropriate and unprofessional for this fitter to say she disagrees with my therapist about the advisability of a compression camisole rather than this bra with pad for underarm and trunk swelling. Buyer beware applies even more when someone is trying to sell you healthcare products, believe me!

I've learned it's wisest to take what a fitter advises less seriously than the advice of the therapist who's worked regularly with you and your body. Especially when you feel something you're told by a salesperson doesn't feel right, trust your instinct first.

[Ann]

Thank you for having the courage to share your experience with purchasing a fitted garment that was not appropriate for you and did not fit properly. . Proper fit is essential and many times it is best to follow your intuition in making a decision: particularly when your therapist shares your view.
A fitter has a job, who work for a particular company has a J-O-B and that is to sell garments.

Let's give credit to those experuebced fitters who do a great, and ethical, job of recommending the appropriate garment and then measuring so that it fits properly. However, as with all things in life, some individuals will do anything to make a sale.

You need to do your job too in shopping so that through combined advice, you do get the proper garment that will fit you well and help to control your lymphedema.

Best Wishes,

Ann, from Lymh Notes

[HerDotness]

Actually, Ann, it's not so much that the mastectomy bra doesn't fit but that it's not the best style for someone needing compression where I do. As far as fit goes, I have no complaints with this fitter's thoroughness in measuring me nor with her having me try more than one such bra to see which was more comfortable with her checking various points to see which size supported me better.

I didn't know but that this type of bra had differently knit bands than ordinary bras. And, too, it might have proven helpful for another person with similar problems. It just isn't comfortable or effective for me which my therapist said she'd have told me she didn't think it would be had I thought to hold off on buying until I'd consulted her. Experience is at bottom the toughest teacher, giving the test before the lesson.

I certainly don't want to seem to be maligning fitters whose advice and skill result in comfortable, effective fittings. They are so helpful in enabling us to deal with this nasty stuff better and more easily.

However, I think we all need to be less confident that a garment fitter can advise us anywhere near as well as a doctor or therapist who's treated us and knows our personal needs. A large part of the responsibility for buying this bra was mine for putting too much trust in a fitter's advice.

[renita]

Personally, I think that's a legitimate complaint. I've had Drs. and Therapists direct me the wrong way too. It's kind of like, no 2 people are alike. One size doesn't fit all. I absolutely understand your dilemma. I do think that we have to listen to our instinct and we may end up being wrong in the end also, but give yourself some credit, because more times, than not, you will be the one who is aware of how something is going to fit and feel on your body.