Recommendation on "body shapers"

I have sporadic swelling in my breast and armpit area and my p.t. suggested a "sassybax".  They are really pricey, but Norm Thompson had them on sale.  Still pricey, but cheaper than full price.   I wore it at night for a week or so with a special pad in the problem area and it seemed to work.  At least the lymphedema resolved on its own. 

 However, confer with the therapist re: the length before you buy anything. I have a long torso and the sassybax is rather short.) 

This is the one I like the best.

http://www.amazon.com/Flexees-Womens-Shapewear-Camisole-3366/dp/B000VI6FS2

 It is a very soft fabric, offers light support, doesn't roll up from the bottom as much as the Spanx types I have tried, and doesn't have any seams or stitching on the inside to irritate damaged skin. It is also quite affordable and pretty easy to put on. 

My truncal LE is more than mild, so I find that I can only wear these two out of every three days or so. But those days are bliss compared to the days when I have to wear a more constricting garment! 

Bomber swears by the Barely There compression cami's--I don't like tight tops, and I don't have truncal issues, but I wanted some options, so I ordered them, and they're comfy. I found the maidenform too tight, I tried on Assets at Target and it's loaded with seams--but I found it comfy. I bought a couple of cami's with shelf bras--but they have a tight elastic band around the torso.

I actually just wear jockey cotten tanks, and shirts that let me get away with no bra.

Kira

I agree with the Flexees one.  It's soft and comfortable and pretty.

Wow ladies--this is a difficult question as to which one works best for anyone in particular!

They are all different--compression wise, cut under the arms, cut around the back, cut of the shoulder straps, cut on the back, cut on the chest. . .

Unfortunately, the only way you can really know if the particular camisole/compression vest/bra works for you is to actually try it.

Therefore, I strongly suggest that you make sure anything you order on line is returnable, and anything you purchase in a store has been tried on by you and you have sat, stood, raised your arms, stretched your arms, etc. and seen just how it feels.

Indeed, the Sassybax is just about the most compressive cami, just short of any of the compression vests or bras. For some this is wonderful, for others, it is too much.  Yet, it is the only cami I would even dream of wearing on an air flight--other than that, I only wear the really compressive vests and bras.

I truly wish this was easier--and I must admit, I have spent a a fortune on these items to try them and report on them.  Still, each person is different--the size of our breasts is different--the degree of compression we require is different--

Another important thing to remember is whether or not there is a constricting banded bra or underwire in the cami--this is not good for those of us with breast/truncal LE. 

Also, if we require a pocket for a prostethis, or two, this is also a consideration.

We have found the 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^TM  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.

Jane - Dance as if no one is watching!!
Diagnosis: 7/7/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

After my PT suggested a shaper to add comfortable torso compression (I, too, have been braless now for nearly a year), I paid for a full day of childcare so I could go from store to store and try on various brands and sizes of shapers.  I could tell right away that most weren't going to work for me.  But I bought several different ones to try.  Ended up liking Spanx the best (but specific styles of Spanx).  My underarm and back are both very reactive to any seams - especially on the edges of the garments.  I like that the Spanx don't have finished (2 or more layer) seams on any edges.  However, the compression is pretty light and I doubt you'd find them small enough.  I'm bigger than you - 5'4", about 125 pounds, 34B-C - and I need to wear a small to get sufficient compression.

The Control It you found looks intriguing - I don't remember seeing that when I went on my shopping expedition.  I notice it does seem to have rather thick hems on the edges under the arms - but I'd need to see it in real life to be sure.  Looks interesting, though.  So glad it's working for you!

Also wanted to recommend looking for shapers on eBay (once you know exactly what type and size you want).  I've had very good luck getting brand new Spanx camisoles for about 1/3 of retail from eBay (that is, for $12-20 instead of $42-49).  As I'm wearing them 24/7 (sometimes with more serious compression garments on top), I need quite a few, and wasn't too excited about paying $50 a pop (including tax...)

Good luck!

Linda