Wearing a dress with medical gadgets

I've always been abit of a fashionista ... I live in Montreal ... that doesn't help ... as fashion abounds here.  Despite working from a home office, and just lounging around in comfy clothing, sometimes I like to go out and become a wild cat ... and slick my fur  to look elegant and demure ;)

Since going onto the pump in 2008, I've had to change the type of clothing I wear due to accessing the pump to bolus and do other functions.  I had tried a thigh holder, but sadly the lady no longer makes them, and didn't give me much advise on where to get the products she used to make them. I attempted to make a few, from similar materials, but failed. Testing them out meant the pump was dropping as far as the tubing it would allow it to go as the spandex leg band I'd made slid further, further down.

Diabetes Depot, a Canadian company (and run by a few staff with diabetes - including the pharmacist Tino Montopoli) deals with products for diabetics.   He sells the American product called GirlyGoGarter.  I did some research on it last year, but the website/Tino didn't have much info about measurements for the thigh area.  Because it's considered lingerie, you cannot return it, so if I had ordered up the incorrect size, I would have been stuck with something I couldn't use. 

They show women with just about everything but the kitchen sink in this velcro held lacy/strechy band around the upper thigh that is backed with a rubber type of material (similar to what you would find with stay up stockings).  They are running, dancing, walking and with what many of them have stuffed into it, it's not going down.  So, I was sold and decided to order one this week despite the no return policy (it's lingerie so can't be returned like many stores do).

For myself, I am doing some test runs with it, and as you see in the picture below, with my insulin pump Ziggy and his side kick Dexcom receiver ... there is more room for other medical devices like the FreeStyle Lite meter that I may place in one of the many pockets on the lace band.  You can place items within the lace bit like I've done OR for security, there is a inner spandex band that will hold things more secure.  I gave it a good test, running up/down stairs,  chasing the cats around the house, sitting down, getting up ... no slippage unlike the other leg pump holders I've had over the years.

I don't usually promote devices that are commercially made, but for diabetic gals who like to wear a dress from time to time ... I'm giving this a thumbs up. 

The nice thing is, even if I go to MDI (multiple dose injections) like I do from time to time when I take a pump break ... this will still come in handy to keep my needles, etc. if I don't wish lug an over the shoulder boulder holder and at same times have my hands free! 

Check out the website for more info ... and if you live in Canada ... you can buy it directly from Diabetes Depot for $39.95.  The measurements are pretty accurate and the suggestion of going to a smaller size worked out for me. My thigh measurement was just at the beginning of the largest size possible in their product line.  If I had not done this, it would be too large.

Hope this helps any of you facing similar situations of where to keep medical devices, other objects that will leave you looking less bulking with devices around your waist line, etc.

Back to dreaming of being in warm climate ... with bare legs (oh - this only works on bare legs ... but according to GirlyGoGarter ... they are working on a new product that will be for those women who wear it over tights, etc.)

NB:  I had written a blog a few years ago with a link for instructions to make one ... I have yet to give that a go ... but if you can't afford to buy one ... have the time ... check out this link to learn how.  One day, I'll manage to find the time, but I just happened to luck in on having some cash to splash for a treat to myself.