Clothing while bandaging

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mary625
mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
edited April 2015 in Lymphedema

i need to go thru a week or two of the 23/24 hour bandaging with foam and 4 bandages in the next couple of weeks. any ideas for clothing myself in cold weather? I'd like to go to work as I have just finished med leave for Diep. Does anyone ever wrap over a light long sleeve tee?

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2014

    I don't see why you shouldn't. When I wrapped, the first layer I had to put on was a stockinette sleeve to protect the skin. I would suppose a long-sleeved T would have the same function .... bit tricky getting undressed though :)

    I was allowed to wrap at night and wear a sleeve and glove in the day, but I would imagine 24/7 wrapping would be more effective.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2014

    Mary, good for you! The wrapping time is a tough bit, but the results are great, so hang in there! Winter dressing, though, can really be a puzzle. Getting yourself trapped in a long-sleeve T might prove frustrating. How about layering? Raglan-sleeve sweaters generally accommodate the wrapping better than other, but any loose sweater might work. Here are some other tips for getting through the Wrapped Wonder stage:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_wi...

    Be well, and please keep us posted!
    Binney

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2014

    I have mostly a swollen upper arm and when wrapped I find men's shirts are much roomier in the upper arm.  Thankfully men's attire is much more colourful than it used to be. 

    Good luck with the wrapping Mary.  I hope it works wonders for you.

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  • carlie
    carlie Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2014

    I wouldn't suggest wrapping over a long sleeve shirt because it may crease when you add the foam and bandaging. Good luck!

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  • floaton
    floaton Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2014

    Mary, I had to wrap last winter for about a month. What got me through without freezing day to day was actually cutting the sleeve off an old zip up the front fleece and wearing that over (short sleeve) tshirts and tanks. I kept it and have it stashed away with my wrapping supplies in case I need it again. I also went through my closet and found a wide-sleeved maternity sweater (did they think my arms were going to get huge as well ;)?), and a very slippery inside, slightly too big for me down jacket which slid over the wraps really easily. So maybe look through yours or a close friend's closets and try some things?

    My only hesitations about wrapping over a long sleeve shirt would be that it might bunch up more than a stockinette given that it's not anchored to your thumb like the stockinette would be. Also, if you wanted to change (say, if you got warm or sweaty from a hot flash) it'd be harder to do. Worst case for either, you'd have to re-wrap (which is, of course, easier said than done!)

    Good luck and hope your swelling goes down quickly and you're back to regular clothes in no time

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited November 2014

    thank you for all of this info. This will be my first time wrapping 24/7. in the past I've only done it at night LE has worsened of course. I had DIEP with Dr. Massey 7 weeks ago, I did not qualify to have nodes moved with the flaps. I hope to drain my arm and see whether I can keep it in check with the benefit of my flaps and clean out of the axilla. if not then we will discuss VLNT. Just a little about myself because I'm mainly active on ILC and Stage III.

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  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited December 2014

    can you borrow your husbands or dads v neck sweater? Wear short sleeves and buy a sweater in a larger size to fit over the arm ..or buy a lg sweatshirt

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  • ahdjdbcjdjdbkf
    ahdjdbcjdjdbkf Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2015

    I bought ponchos to wear over my wraps. I laugh at it and call it poncho power when I'm wearing them.

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