Shirt design for Lymphedema

Doxie, I tried it too. The axilla now fits really well, and the shirt is downright comfortable. And the seams are great--not bothersome.But the sleeves too tight, at least on my right arm (the left seemed to fare okay, but the right is much more sensitive and harder to control). So I ended up wrapping the next day to regain control of a slightly swollen and sore arm. Bummer! I took out a couple of inches of the right underarm seam and plan to give it another try with that seam released, because it will work with just a bit more accommodation in the sleeve. So…perfect for the truncal LE, just needs more room in the sleeve and I think we'll be happy campers! I like the neckline too, BTW, and the length is great--stays down all day.

Thanks Carol and GO!
Binney

Binney4,

Yes, the sleeves could be a touch wider. I have chunky arms (and legs) relative to my trunk, so tailor my comments with that in mind.

I also have a very slight LE flair up in my upper arm, but it is not related to the shirt. Almost never have that, but I had to stop running and cut most walking this week due to bursitis in my hip. Running controls my LE like magic as long as I wear some truncal and armpit compression. Time to go into LE remediation.

bhd1, I have the small.

Possibly. I think GO is considering XS shirts.

Very interesting thread to read.

We are so impressed at your proactivity in trying to get manufacturers involved and on the right track. It is a long slow process to develop a new garment with so many items on the 'wish-list' and so many variables. If only it could happen yesterday and you'd have a supplier/s to buy just what you need, in the right size

We wish you success in getting improved product by your involvement.

The Mods

And we also have to thank Carol for working so hard on this project.

OK, round II feedback is all in, and I sent all the detailed comments to GO. Need reported: more width at the sleeve hem, hopefully without undoing the great fix made to tighten up the axillary compression. Wishes reported: pockets for prostheses, preferably sewn to the outside to prevent garment 'bridging' and general smush; also deeper scoop neck for ease of hiding under wardrobe. Need and wishes suggested as options, and we can all hope that there's a robust enough demand for the shirts that it becomes worth GO's while to offer some optional features like those.

Staying tuned...

Carol

sounds great good work!

My second shirt is great. yes sleeve hem a bit bigger is a great idea. Pockets to hold prothesis would be my dream come true. I have implants that need foamy boobs set on top to even them out. What about a bit longer to tuck into underwear. Maybe two inches longer. Not a deal breaker though. I will still buy them.

Carol, Does Margaret view our boards? Thank you Margaret if you do. There is nothing more satisfying than changing others lives for the better.

I don't know if Margaret views our boards, but I do send her the comments. She told me today that she's going to enlarge the sleeve hem width but keep the tighter axillary compression, and I think that's the last adjustment to her pattern before GO goes into production. I'm pretty sure I will hear in advance when the shirts will be available at GO's website, and you can bet I'll be posting that information here, there, and everywhere.

I'd love for someone to write an article for online or mainstream media about how in our BCO LE forum, we were chatting about shirt woes, and I mentioned GO's shirts that I'd tried but didn't find worked for us. One of the company officers had a Google alert on their company name and registered, just so he could post an offer to help us by figuring out a shirt that would work. Not to bring any attention to me, but to the guerrilla tactics we have to use to get proper and affordable compression for truncal issues, and to the wonderful, wonderful folks at GO who are sticking their necks out big time, betting that there will be a big enough market to make this effort worthwhile for them. This has been a great team effort, and when the shirts are ready to market, anything we can do to get the word out would be a great gesture to thank Margaret and the GO team.

(Edited to fix an accidental 'submit' that posted this in mid-sentence!)

You all are awesome. Thank you for all your hard work.

it will not be the thread so much as the stitch on the machine, a zig zag or such wilt stretch with the fabric

sppokybob

I am looking at an old post of yours RE: sassybax.

I now see short sleeves under MEDICAL on the website. www.sassybax.com

Do you know of they are eligible for reimbursement?
I had Amanda looking into FDA approval last yr.

Laurie

Just an update: I've been in touch with GO, and they're going to have the designed-for-LE compression tee shirt online in the near future.

More soon!

YAY !! Can't wait.