compression bra cost

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cfdr
cfdr Member Posts: 549
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have been seeing a PT for truncal lymphedema, and she has set up an appointment for me to be fitted for a compression bra. My insurance covers it, but being a new year we have not met our deductible yet. She said the bra costs $298!! Is this in line with what others have been charged? Unfortunately I don't know the name of the company/brand, it was set up through the hospital.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2012

    CFDR, hello!

    That's probably a Bellisse bra. You can find them cheaper on-line, but not a lot cheaper. Some women get fitted in person, then take the size information and purchase on-line.

    There are other options, but none of them are especially reasonable. The WearEase bra is around $90 on-line (undoubtedly more from a fitter). Other options, including bras, camis, and breast binders, can be found at the bottom of this page:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

    I use a WearEase cami and find it both comfortable and effective, and I'm sure others will be along with their favorites. While some women like the Bellisse, it isn't for everyone, and it certainly isn't the only option out there.

    Do let us know what you discover!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2012

    I will probably go for what the PT recommends, but I'm certainly not buying more than one! I figure I can wear it for when LE is really bothering me, but once it gets under control I can switch to something else. I'm small breasted and generally prefer to go braless around the house, so maybe a couple of the underarmor camies would work. Also took a look at the genie bras website and may try one of those.

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited January 2012

    http://www.metromedicalonline.com/b121046305.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=shoppingdotcom



    This is the cheapest that I have been able to find for the Bellisse bra, $189.00 with free shipping.



    This bra must be correctly fitted and you will love it. If not, you will hate it.



    My first Bellisse bra was fitted and ordered by my first LE therapist and I did not like it. It was not comfortable.



    I was fortunate enough to meet Leslie Bell, the PT Lana certified therapist who invented the bra, when working with Dr. Mei Fu, a well known LE researcher down at NYU. It was in regard to the "Optimal Lymph Flow" research study funded by Avon Corporation.



    When Mei, Leslie and I went out to lunch, I felt it only right that I tell Leslie how I did not like the bra. She asked me to bring my bra to our meeting the next day so she could check the fit.



    I did and she was appalled at the fit and said no wonder you hate it. It was a 34 CD. Leslie remeasured me and suggested I try either a 38 CD or a 36 DD/E. She had both sizes with her, and I was most comfortable with the 38CD, exchanged bras, and now that the fit is correct I do love it and would never get on an airplane without it.



    My only problem with it is that while it is long-line, it does not come quite down to the waist. I also have LE in my left thigh after my reconstruction, so I also wear support hose when flying. So, with hot flashes and all, I would get irritated on my tummy between the bottom of the Bellisse and top of the support panty hose. That was easily fixed by wearing a cami or shell underneath the bra.



    The other issue with the Bellisse bra and other compression bras is they indeed compress your chest and breasts. But, if you have had reconstruction or lumpectomy only, this can lead to a spot between your breasts where the fluid can move to while flying. This happened to me on my first flight with my ill-fitting first Bellisse. It toasts my buns that i suspected this when i tried my first Bellisse and mentioned it to the LE therapist, and she said it would only irritate the skin. So i stupidly listened to her and developed a nice egg size, hot red hard spot in the cleavage after one flight which took forever to soften



    This was easily corrected by changing LE therapists and taking her advice and inserting a little swell spot between my breasts while wearing the Bellisse while flying.



    Another issue is that the Bellisse bra makes you look flatter than a pancake!! Okay with me for flying compression is much more important to me than the way my boobs look. And you can insert prosthesis if you really don't want that flat look.



    I think I have tried just about every compression bra out there (many of which I evaluated on our StepUp-SpeakOut site) and feel the Bellisse has the best compression.



    But we are all different and unfortunately the journey to find the compression garments that work best for us is long and expensive.



    Make sure any and all off the shelf compression garments you purchase are returnable!



    Wow, I feel like I wrote a book here, but I only wish I knew then what I know now!



    Special thanks to our wonderful, priceless Binney who held my hand every step of the way and made the journey much easier.

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Jane, I think what you wrote is a best-seller!  I have been flying in Under Armour and will have a sleeve/gauntlet next week, so plan to switch to a short-sleeve UA plus the sleeve/gauntlet. The between-the-boobs issue is one I have noticed and not known how to address. Your details are so, so helpful and now I will keep the thought of a compression bra in mind if the new gear does not do what I need (I fly really, really often for work).

    Would you consider reposting this story about the trials and travails of dealing with your flying issues, on a website that exists just to collect what-its-like stories of living with LE? The site is www.lymphedemaspeaks.com and the goal is to archive stories that can be a patient-advocacy resource. No comments or wonderful conversations that happen here, which are fabulous but tend to make some of the most compelling stories get buried. --Carol

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited January 2012

    Carol, is this your website?



    Here is some other interesting info



    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/foampadding_swellspots_lymphedema.htm



    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_binders_lymphedema.htm







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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Jane, Yes, it is my website. I have been working on an advocacy program here at home, and I have found it very useful to read the very compelling stories here, but also frustrated because it takes a lot of digging to sort through to find the really detailed ones that can help make a valuable point. So I created the site.  I won't repost, of course--any story told needs to be posted by the person who lived it. 

    Also, I have agreement in principle to meet with the head of reimbursement policy at one of the mega health insurance companies, and before I schedule that meeting, I'm working at lining up lots of ducks.  Studies (thank you, Kira) but also life stories; intent of that meeting is simply to learn 'how it works' to get changes to reimbursement policies, but also to provide a means to illustrate need, experience, frustration.  I'll excerpt from the stories, but also refer this person to the site. I'm not expecting a revolutionary outcome, but I do have a very fortunate personal connection to this person, so the meeting will be sincere, and I hope it advances my own understanding of ways to work within the system for change.  The stories website is one tool in the arsenal, if anyone cares to go there and tell about their LE life experience(s).

    Thanks so much for the links.  I had looked at these some time ago, but before I realized how much they might apply to me...sigh...had naively hoped that the initial arm-tingling and side-swelling might be the extent of the story, but now flying around so much I think differently.  I'll definitely spend some more time on the su-so pages you suggest.  And chat with my therapist about it. 

    Carol

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited January 2012

    Carol



    I will be more than happy to post my story on your website.



    I also wrote a paper on my experiences with LE for the Journal of Lymphology-- I will send you a copy if you pm me your email address and see if that could also be useful.

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Jane, I just sent a pm to you.

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2012

    Just got my new bra--it is indeed a Belisse. $297.40! Do have a prescription so it will go against my deductible. Comfortable so far, but Ive only been wearing it for an hour. Time will tell if it actually helps the lymphedema.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2012

    Hey, hey, CFDR! We're expensive women.KissCool Hoping this will do the trick for you. Keep us posted!

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited January 2012

    CFDR---Hope it helps.  I look at my wraps, sleeves, gloves, etc. as my new jewelry as I cannot afford it anymore!  Becky

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited April 2012

    OK! I've had my Belisse compression bra for a couple of months now. I've found it comfortable enough, but I get an indentation across the bottom my left breast (the one with LE) from the elastic. I even cut out the elastic for the prosthesis pocket since I don't need it, but the bottom band still rides up enough to dig into my breast. At this point I don't know if the bra is making things better or worse! Tonight I bought a maidenform control cami, which I'm wearing sort of bunched up a the top so that the control part covers my breasts (more comfortable than it sounds). Going to look into underarmour, Genie or even a breast binder, something that will cover more below the breasts and not cut into them.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2012

    cfdr, thanks so much for up-dating us. The indentations it's leaving are worrisome -- bummer! Please let us know what you settle on. I use a WearEase compression cami called a Slimmer, so there's good compression on the top as well as below, and I'm pleased with it -- feels good, holds up well. Also pretty expensive, though.

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited April 2012
    Binney, does the Slimmer have a band of elastic under the bra area? In the photo (here) it looks like it might. I'm also considering the v-neck option since that might be wearable with more clothes, and my swelling is mostly the outside & bottom of the breast and under the arm, not in the cleavage area.
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2012

    cfdr, there's no elastic band. The top front is a separate piece that is doubled to form prosthesis pockets. Even though you don't need pockets they won't bother you because they're smooth and the fabric is soft. No exposed seams anywhere so there's nothing to irritate. Just for the record, I wear mine inside out because I do use prostheses, and they exert less pressure with the pocket side out.

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited April 2012

    Thanks, Binny! I'm going to order one.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited April 2012

    cfdr: for that price, the Belisse should not be making things worse. The Belisse was invented by Lesli Bell PT, who practices in Vermont.

    They do have a contact us on their site:

    http://www.bellisse.com/index.php?option=com_breezingforms&view=form&Itemid=118

    Here's the info on Lesli Bell and her connection with the bra--on another page I found she's a CLT-LANA, from the Lerner school--now defunct, one of the first schools in the US.

    http://www.timberlanept.com/About-Us/Lesli-R-Bell/a~2479--c~335561/article.html

    Kira

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2012

    Sigh...I have come to the conclusion that the Belisse does work especially when I line it with silverwave.

    Still it's just uncomforable and akward and the shape is awful. I have to wear baggy clothes to cover it.

    But it is part of the arsenal.

    I actually think I mind wearing a sleeve LESS than belisse!!!! Surprised

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  • cfdr
    cfdr Member Posts: 549
    edited April 2012

    What is silverwave?

    I think my lymphedema simply extends too far below the breast for any bra to work...I just can't wear a band there. The maidenform cami didn't work either because it rolls up when I'm sitting, and basically turns into a band that's as tight as any elastic. Going to try a wearease cami and a breast binder next. I wish I'd kept my breast binders from my two surgeries!

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited April 2012

    cfdr, I have one cami that works very well, because it has a hook/eye crotch.  It simply cannot roll up, although going to the bathroom is a small pain in the patootie because it requires an extra moment to unhook and then rehook.  The tension from being held at the crotch enhances the compression, I think.  This particular one is a Donna Karan model, but whenever I replace it, I'll be looking for something less expensive that has wider straps.  I think there are a variety of hook/eye/crotch models 'out there' so perhaps you can find a few to try on.  My goodness, this whole business of LE garments and whatnot is enough to make you just crazy.  The ultimate in (expensive) trial and error!

    Carol

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2012
    Image Detail
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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2012

    Ok so I have posted about this a bunch of times...that is a picture of the soldea abdominal band. My first LE at MSK had the idea I could wear it on my breasts.(I nicknamed it the 'boobywiggles" because it leaves a wiggly print on my boob.)

    I had two, one I had a seamstress turn into a tube top with straps, the other I just chopped up. I find it makes an enourmous, though totally temporary difference in my breast LE. The tube top fit was really hard to get right, I just wear the fabric most of the time.

    I believe you can order it throught the lymphedema sleeve company. They are not cheap, but since I just have a chunk of it in my bra, it doesn't really wear out.

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  • snorfia
    snorfia Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2012

    To keep my cami rolled down I wear Lycra stretch briefs outside the cami.  Bike shorts or leggings also help under dresses.

    Well, I've certainly got battle scars, and now the armor to go with them...but I'm no damsel in distressLaughing

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  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited April 2012

    I can see that body wrap rolling both up and down on me- one wide ol' wad.  

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2012

    @KCShreve....yeah you definately have to modify it for the breasts. I just stick a square in my bra.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    I'm with Snorfia on that tip - I keep my compression tanks from riding up or rolling by wearing my stretchy undies on the outside. I think it also helps keep the cami from pulling your undies up with it and creating weird panty lines. I was changing in front of my girlfriend one day and joking about my system, as it looks kind of funny with the bottom of the cami visible in the front below my bikini undies. She said her boyfriend wears his undershirts tucked inside his underwear the same way! Whatever works!

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2012

    @ OneBadBoob...thank you for the anecdote!

    I went to the fitter today and asked her to try another size, so we are going up on the cup size down on the back to see if that makes the fit any better!

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