Special camisoles with drain pouches

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SunnyC
SunnyC Member Posts: 75

Has anyone purchased/used/liked the special mastectomy camisoles that have drain pouches?

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited August 2014

    yes, I did and my insurance paid for one, I purchased a second on my own,I found them comfy and convenient but used them for a relatively short time. Many women make do without them by simply wearing large button down shirts and pinning the drains to the inside of the shirt, 

  • SunnyC
    SunnyC Member Posts: 75
    edited August 2014

    Thanks. I've ordered one that zips up the front. It seemed like it would be helpful. Will save receipts for insurance!

  • CFK
    CFK Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2014

    Hi SunnyC.  I used a camisole with the drain pouches and I loved it.  I wore it under shirts when I went out and put the drains in the pouches and nobody knew.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2014

    sunny - ask your surgeon about the camisole - I woke up in one after my BMX. I would not have needed to order and pay for one separately.

  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 464
    edited August 2014

    Does anyone have any links where to order one of these?

  • CFK
    CFK Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2014

    I ordered mine from tlc. I had it in two days after ordering.

  • placid44
    placid44 Member Posts: 497
    edited August 2014

    I used a zip up track jacket that had pockets on the inside for a cellphone...used for drains. I found it more comfortable and convenient than the camisole. Got it at Target. You can wear at home or to the doctor/out.

  • belleb
    belleb Member Posts: 170
    edited August 2014

    I woke up from surgery bandaged tightly with an Ace bandage, wore that for 2 days, then wore an Amoena drain holding cami (that the hospital gave me) for one day but it was uncomfortable so I ended up pinning the little pouches it came with into the inside of my shirts and putting my drains in there. The drains only stayed 10 days total, so not sure I would have spent the $ on one. If insurance is paying, though, it doesn't hurt to try and see if it works for you! 

  • SunnyC
    SunnyC Member Posts: 75
    edited August 2014

    I ordered one through The Pink Bra.  I can always send it back.

    I have another appt with my PS this week and will (hopefully remember  to) ask him.

  • armamp95
    armamp95 Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2014

    Pre-surgery i tried on a pullover cami with drain pockets, but it was a tussle to put on even then.  i got a drain belt from tlc with velcro-on pockets, but found it to be less comfortable than pinning to my shirts, and the pocket obscured the amount of fluid in the drain.  Since i live alone and am at home most of the time, i remove my shirt anyway while working with the drain.

  • Sacnaillady
    Sacnaillady Member Posts: 59
    edited September 2014

    I'm having an sGAP surgery next month. So I'll have drains coming out of my hip and my left boob. Any suggestion? I'm getting some old lady zip front moo-moo's, should I just pin or would a zip front cami be worth it? 

  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited September 2014

    I never bothered with those special drain-holding camis - I had 7 surgeries with a total of 13 drains (including 6 at one time after my bilat DIEP) , and I never had any issues.  In summer I wore an old large button up shirt and just pinned the drains to the front of the shirt.  In winter I wore a large zip front hoodie and either pinned the drains to the front, or when I had more drains or hip drains, I cut holes in the inside of the hoodie where the side pockets were so I could put the drains through the holes and they could rest in the pockets.  I like Placid's idea of finding a hoodie with inside pockets for a cell phone.  

    I even went to work after a few surgeries wearing the zip up hoodie with drains with no problems.  I guess those camis can be good, but it just seemed like a lot of trouble and expense for something that (hopefully) I'd wear for only a short period of time.

  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2014

    My BS office gave me 2 Amoena cami's after sx. I wore them for 2 years. Because they came with the poly poofs that you could take out fiberfill or add as needed. Because I was in various stages of reconstruction for 2 years I took out fluff as I got my TE filled and added it back when it failed. I hope you don't need that! LOL.  But after the drains came out it was so comfortable.  And it's made to step into when you can't raise your arms, it worked for me. I bought a beige and a black one that I still wear today when I want something under a Lacy thing.  At my exchange sx last December,  I wore them again and when I didn't I used the drain pouches pinned to a different shirt. Check with your surgeon because they may give you one kind. The only complaint I had of the one as is the white discolored to a Grey very easily. But the beige one and black one still look great. 

  • clmtootie
    clmtootie Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2014

    I used a cami with the drain pouches and also purchased a drain "belt" from TLC.  I used that even more than the cami.  I never liked pinning mine to my clothes, I tried it one day and when I stood up the safety pin had un-clasped and I didn't know it.  Well upon standing the drain dropped straight down!  Very painful!  That was the one and only time I tried to pin them to my shirt.   

    I've got mine set aside and ready for when I have my exchange surgery in December.  My PS said she always puts drains in even with the permanent implant surgery. 

  • sunny8
    sunny8 Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2014

    I got the cami but it was so uncomfortable. The expanders already make you feel suffocated and then the cami just makes it worse. I just got a very loose fitting cami from Target that I could step into. Then, I bought one of those Home Depot brand fabric waist pouches. I think they are 1.99. That made it so much easier. i would just throw the drains in the pouch and wear a loose button up top over it. No pinning or poking and it is easy for when you sleep.

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