What is the Difference Between Ready-Wear and Custom Compression Garments?

After a lymphedema diagnosis, it is imperative that you get measured by a certified compression garment fitter. Although there are compression garment shops who claim that they can fit you for a garment, be sure that the fitter has the specialized training necessary to fit you properly in the appropriate garment. Ill fitting garments can cause major setbacks in your progress towards maintaining the condition.

One major difference between ready-wear and custom compression garments is that ready-wear, or off the shelf garments, are made of lesser quality materials which include lycra or rubber. Custom compression garments use silicone and silk offering more comfort while wearing the garments.

Since ready-wear garments are available over the counter, they are tend to be less expensive, easier to replace and quicker to purchase. They are seamless and are available in a variety of lengths, compression classes and sizes, however, they may not provide enough support for your affected limbs and are not as precise in fit as a custom made garment. They also have a tendency to roll at the top of the garment.

With custom made compression garments, precise measurements are taken to ensure that your garment fits properly throughout your whole limb. They are generally made from thicker but more breathable materials. And offer better containment of the swelling than ready-wear garments. These garments can be made to accommodate any shape which is particularly helpful if a client has a disproportionate limb.

Custom made compression garments are are available in all four compression classes and can be combined with a custom toe cap if necessary. With custom compression garments, pads for extra support can be stitched into the garment as well.

The heavier knit materials provide greater stiffness resulting in greater resistance and better containment of the swelling than ready-made garments (so-called stiffness factor).

To schedule your free consultation with our BOC/ABC certified garment fitter, call 713-623-4247. Kristen can answer any questions you have about compression garments and assist you in maintaining your lymphedema.

Great Tool for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Have you or a loved one experienced a health crisis? If so, you know how difficult it is to manage your doctor's appointments, treatment and communicate with family and friends.

CaringBridge is a non-profit organization which offers free personalized websites to people facing a serious medical condition or hospitalization, undergoing medical treatment and/or recovering from a significant accident, illness, injury or procedure.

It functions similar to a blog and allows family members and friends to receive consistent information via a single website, and eliminates the need to place and receive numerous telephone calls or individual emails.

Visitors are invited to view each individual website and can read updates on a patient's condition or post their own messages of support and encouragement.

The site also offers a Support Planner which is a calendar that helps family and friends coordinate care and organize helpful tasks, like bringing a meal, offering rides to appointments or taking care of pets and other needs.

Each website is password protected to ensure a space for personal and private conversations and the service is free of charge.

As part of our goal to educate our clients in their mastectomy, hair loss or lymphedema needs, our team will help you set up convenient appointments that meet your busy schedule. That's why we are open 6 days a week, and can even arrange home or on-site visits.

To schedule an appointment, call 713-623-4247 today!

Top 10 Lymphedema Tips for the Summer

1.  Increase fluid intake, mostly H2O
By increasing your daily water intake, you are telling your body that it has plenty of reserves and as a result it will release fluid out of your body.  If you are not a fan of drinking water, try flavored waters.  Crystal lite offers on-the-go packets, available in delicious flavors such as kiwi-strawberry, cherry pomegranate and raspberry peach.

2.  Try and stay as cool as possible
At times staying cool may seem impossible in 90+ degree weather.  Use fans to help circulate air conditioning while indoors.  Also store plastic bottles of water in the freezer for easy access to cold water when you travel outside.

3.  Avoid tight restrictive clothing
Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing.  Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than those made out of synthetic materials.

4.  Avoid severe sunburns

I like sunscreen products that good for sensitive skin, affordable, waterproof and offer UVA and UVB protection.  Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Sunblock  SPF 50 is $10 for 8 ounces, Bull Frog Water Armor Sport 50+ is $9.99 for 6 ounces,  Beach Defense Water + Sun Barrier Lotion SPF 30 & 70 is $10.99 for 6.7, or Hydrosport Sunblock Spray SPF 30 by Aveeno is $8.99 for  5 ounces are all great options.

5.  Always use insect repellent
Protecting your skin from insect bites is another top priority during the warm summer months.  Avon carries a strong defense against mosquitos, gnats, ticks, sand flies and other biting insects.  Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Aerosol Spray is $7.99 for 4 ounces of protection.  Another good option is Deep Woods Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V, 25% DEET, 6 oz for $7.49.  This insect repellant is a reduced DEET product that works well.  It sprays upside down too!   Be sure that you apply insect repellent over your garment.

6.  Try and avoid high sodium foods
Restrict your daily salt intake to between 1,500 – 2,300 mg per day.  Also avoid processed foods as they typically contain a lot of sodium and preservatives.

7.  Protect your handsWhen working in the yard or gardening try and wear glove to protect your hand with upper body edema.  Choose a work glove with a suede leather palm for heavy-duty protection.

8.  Exercise Smart
When exercising outdoors try and do this not in the middle of the day, instead opt for early morning or after sunsets.  Exercise for shorter periods of time, take breaks at regular intervals and always wear compression on the affected limb, unless you are swimming, as water resistance acts as natural compression.

9.  Protect Your Feet
With lower body edema it is a good idea while at the beach wear water shoes as to avoid cuts and scrapes.

10.  Travel Prepared
If possible, talk to your doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics in case of infections.  Also, remember if you are flying, drink plenty of water and make sure you wear your day time compression garments, as the decreased air pressure in the airplane’s cabin may increase your swelling.

For more tips, contact Kristen, our BOC, ABC Certified compression garment fitter at kristen@hairandwellness.com.

Breast Friends Support Group Meet Up

The University of Texas MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area is sponsoring the Breast Friends Support Group and Educational Program for surrounding communities. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m at the CHRISTUS St. John West Building.

This month’s meeting will feature two guest speakers—Vicky Moore, OTR, CLT-LANA, lymphedema therapist at UTMB Victoria Lakes and Kristen Anderson-Knowles of Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness. Vicky will lead a discussion on managing lymphedema, and Kristen will talk about lymphedema sleeves and other related garments for cancer patients.

The purpose of these meetings is to support, uplift and empower patients as they go through this challenging time. Meetings are open to all breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, regardless of where treatment is received, and snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Meetings take place in the West Building of St. John Hospital, located at 2035 Space Park Drive. No pre-registration is required. For more information contact meeting facilitator Diana Vasquez at (713) 745-2396.

The MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area is located on the campus of CHRISTUS St. John Hospital at 18100 St. John Drive. As MD Anderson’s first comprehensive clinical cancer center to open outside of the Texas Medical Center, the Regional Care Center in the Bay Area provides medical and radiation oncology, APBI, chemotherapy infusion, laboratory and pharmacy services and nutritional counseling

For directions or to learn more about the MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area visit www.MDAnderson.org/BayArea. For up to date news and information about the Center join the conversation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MDAndersonBayArea.

From the Bay Area Citizen