Clothing design challenges with LE

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

    I spoke to a dress designer in NYC yesterday about adding longer cuffs to a dress, and she said they could be done. She has a small boutique, she designs but does not manufacture the dresses. They were a little expensive and I would need to lose 20 pounds, but it was nice to know it could be done. I guess it really could be done on any long sleeve dress.

  • LympheDIVAs
    LympheDIVAs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    Okay, here's our current thought on the sleeve. We can always replace the text with any requested language for those that may want it in spanish, french, etc.Hospital Sleeve

  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited October 2012

    I don't think anyone could miss that - Its awesome!!!

  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited October 2012

    wow, and wow off the hook!

  • bingbing
    bingbing Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2012

    Boy, do I ever like that. Cannot be missed. I was so afraid when I had my colonospy. I think they were pretty sick of me repeating no bp on right arm. Although I wasn't out, I was still very afraid. I did wear my sleeve and glove, though so I did think I was fairly safe, but still very afraid. This is awesome.   Sharon

  • LympheDIVAs
    LympheDIVAs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    Awesome! And of course we'll have a matching gauntlet that will re-state the warning at the wrist since it will be covered by the cuff of the gauntlet.

    I'll wait for some more feedback, and then I'll take a shot of it printed on an actual sleeve and on an arm for everyone to see. At that point, it'll be available for whomever wants it!

    I'm also working on a price for it. This obviously isn't a sleeve someone would wear daily, so it'll need to be less expensive. I'm thinking around $60 - same price as a beige for now.

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

    Josh, what a riot! That is IMPRESSIVE! A whole doctor-education short-course in a sleeve. Bravo!

    The other population who might be interested are those on dialysis, y'know? They wouldn't want it as tight as we need it, but it sure would be a help to them and put their minds at rest.

    Thanks,
    Binney

  • BoobsinaBox
    BoobsinaBox Member Posts: 550
    edited October 2012

    Josh,



    That is perfect! I am so grateful that you have been working with us and paying attention to our needs! Now, if we can just get those gloves... Thanks!



    Dawn

  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited October 2012

    Love It!!!!! even though I only need a gauntlet on my left hand (at this point in time) with my bilat mast wearing these on both arms will sure get attention that is desperately needed by the medical professionals who don't believe me and just ignore the pink LE band I try to wear when going for appointments.

    Sheila

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited October 2012

    Well darnit, I can't see the pic. Cry

  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited October 2012

    I know!! I can't see the pic either. There's just a red x.  

    Is the sleeve going to be in the 20-30 compression? I would wear it to every dr appt. 

    I just wish my insurance would pay for a sleeve from Lymphediva's. I don't really understand why they won't.

  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited October 2012

    Love it!



    I couldn't see the picture at work, it is probably a problem with your firewall.

  • LympheDIVAs
    LympheDIVAs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    Lee7 - Your insurance may require purchases from an approved vendor. If that is the case, PM me and let me see if I can find a more local option. Did they give you a more specific reason?

    If anyone can't see the pic, PM me and I'll email it to you.

    For everyone - I'm still thinking about pricing and may go lower :) The design will be available in 20-30 and 30-40. I'll get back to everyone tomorrow with a final price and if anyone is interested please PM me with your name and then call 866-411-3482 to order. 

    Everyone who actively participated can also use a 20% discount on another purchase or on the same purchase on other garments. Just PM me so I know who to give the discount.

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited October 2012

    LympheDivas, Oh...that is just so smart looking. Yes, yes, and yes! And a matching gauntlet to boot! You were pretty fast on the draw to get that done too. Much thanks

  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited October 2012

    Lymphedivas, you are not quite off the hook yet. I want a compression cami with some of your pretty patterns so they just look like normal camis. That way I can wear them "just as" with jeans etc. This would eliminate extra clothing layers as we could just wear it with nothing else and it would look great and do its job! Of course all you in the hot climates would do anything for these:) Me too as I am always a hotdog!

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

    Josh and LympheDivas, you get a 'wow' in my book! 

    And as to hugz4u's request, well...that would be simply amazing. We've tried our best to lobby Under Armour for help with a compression shirt we can wear with other-than-camping wardrobe, but so far, nothing has surfaced, although they promised to consider it.  Compression camisoles are probably a bit more challenging to design and make than sleeves, but any new product starts with a dream or an idea.  I hope you do keep Hugz's idea in mind during business planning.

    Thank you for caring enough to take such a genuine interest in our needs.

    Carol

  • ALittleBitBritish
    ALittleBitBritish Member Posts: 627
    edited October 2012

    Josh, I have emailed my LPT to get a image from you as she can get my sleeves from you all covered by my insurance. I think other patients of hers may like it!



    Thanks,



    Ali

  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited October 2012

    GREAT SLEEVE! It may be totally idiot proof! Thank you!



    Two requests:



    1) Gloves! Please! A gauntlet is not an option for me. Big time swelling in fingers.



    2) 15-20 level of compression. My ONLY option for this level of compression is beige. I don't need the 20-30 level yet (hopefully never) but I have to wear the lower. Would LOVE if you make your sleeves in the 15-20 level. I have lymphedema too and want to wear pretty sleeves.





  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2012
    What a great design! Thank you so much for putting the time and energy into creating a terrific sleeve.




    I have the glove issue, too. Need a glove or my fingers would swell.




    I also need class I compression.




    Please don't forget those of us with lower compression needs. You are talking with women here who are proactive and spend time keeping our LE in check. We don't want to need a class II garment in order to get a warning sleeve. (Some of us have a hard time just getting doctors and therapists to acknowledge we have LE because we don't have a lot of swelling, but we definitely have LE!)


  • LympheDIVAs
    LympheDIVAs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    For those needing lower compression, please PM me with your measurements. We have another fitting tool that shows what approximate compression you'll receive at those measurements and we can try moving you to a larger size to see if you'll get 15-20.

    We are still working as fast as we can to bring our glove to market, but we're still looking at about six months.

    A compression shirt for truncal edema is also on our R&D list. No timeline yet, though :(

  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited October 2012

    Josh--This is fantastic.  Plus a warning on the gauntlet!  I often have to have IVs put into my hand as they can never find a vein in my arm.  This would keep them away from my hand!  I am ready to order.

  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited October 2012

    LympheDIVAs - thanks for at least thinking about a compression shirt for the truncal edema... I will use my sports bras and MLD until that point... for me - I can't seem to get anything that works with my short torso except a sports bra.. 

    Another idea - not sure if I saw it up above but maybe the warning as an oversleeve - so that when you go to surgery and not wearing the sleeve, you can still have the warning...

  • LympheDIVAs
    LympheDIVAs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    Given that most therapists and physicians recommend that you wear a gauntlet or glove with a sleeve, I don't think I can sell this item as a sleeve only. However, I do want to keep the costs down, so I would like to offer the gauntlet and sleeve set for $60 and I am going to contribute $10 to a charity for every set sold. I'm going to call the charity I'm considering this morning, so hopefully will be able to announce that as soon as I've spoken with them.

    Is that idea and price okay with everyone?

    GmaFoley: We've thought about oversleeves, but the problem is that because many people see our garments as lightweight and comfortable, they have been told that they aren't really true medical grade graduated compression. Until we are much bigger, I need to stay with medical devices only.

  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited October 2012

    Josh I think the design and concept for the "warning sleeve" is fantastic. The $60 combined sleeve / gauntlet set with the $10 charitable donation is also very generous of you.



    I can't wait to show the sleeve to my Lymphedema support group! I find that many of our support group members struggle with finding the courage and words to advocate for themselves when around very intimidating but uninformed medical personnel. This sleeve will speak volumes for women who need that extra bit of confidence in communicating their special LE needs. This sleeve should become an essential part of every BCRL patient's emergency kit that can be ready for every hospitalization, outpatient procedure or medical office visit.



    For those of us who require a full fingered glove and cannot use a gauntlet, we anxiously await the new Lmphedivas glove. For now, I will plan to wear my current custom glove in black with the warning sleeve. I think black will coordinate very well with it!

  • LympheDIVAs
    LympheDIVAs Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2012

    Thank you, LindaLou53! I'm hoping to begin outreach to surgeons and therapists within hospitals about this as well. Would be great if patients could be fitted for one before surgery so that they can have it on to protect that arm when they are still recovering.

    I've reached out to the charity, but it will take some time before everything is set up. However, I have let the charity know that any sets sold before the agreement will still count towards the donation. I want to make these available immediately (which they are!) and still be able to give.

  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited October 2012

    I wanted to chime in and thank you *so* much for doing this.  

    I'd also like to add my plea that Lymphadiva make compression for the breast/trunk.  With SNBs becoming the norm for many, breast and truncal lymphedema are becoming more common.  There aren't many options out there, and many folks are jerry-rigging solutions like wearing swell spots under compression sports running shirts, sports bras. Not very effective, and NOT a fashion statement.  (Just do a search of this forum for trunk and you will see the crazy things folks are resorting to.)  

    If you made something that was even 1% as nice as your sleeves, you would make a killing.  Indeed, given the popularity of shapewear, I bet you would have cross-over to the non medical group!  KS1

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

    For those of you needing an oversleeve with warnings (and affordable for fixed incomes and limited insurance), G-Sleeve makes just such an item. They're here:
    http://g-sleeve.com/

    PLEASE REMEMBER, all, to check with your therapist before wearing these for any procedure in which you will be unconscious, even briefly. These are NOT night sleeves for sleeping in and may create problems if they become constrictive while you are not awake and aware enough to fix the problem. Especially those of you who will be using them prophylactically (no LE yet): check out the fit with a well-trained LE therapist, and ask what situations you can safely use it for.

    For those who need gloves, DON'T wear the gauntlet or you'll encourage those nasty sausage fingers. Instead, until Josh gets his gloves up-and-running, you can order black gloves (or yellow ones, for that matter) from several makers, including Barton-Carey, Gottfried, and Juzo.

    Be well!
    Binney

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

    Hmmm, Josh--what charity are you considering? Some are considerably more charitable than others.
    Binney

  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited October 2012

    Can you pm or email me the picture.  I'd like to forward it to my PT.  He may have several patients he'd like to recommend it to.

  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited October 2012

    Lymphedivas - Thank you.  I will send you my measurements via PM but I would urge you to consider level I compression.  My arms are small and I doubt that I can go down a size (I wear a Juzo size small).  There are a lot of us out there who have LE in our fingers and hand that require level II and III compression but don't need that high of compression in our sleeve but we still need some compression.  Please consider us too.  My only option is beige sleeves.  I would be your most loyal customer if you made level I compression in a size small.  Kiss  Please consider!  Thank you.  I'll PM you my measurements.  

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