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I Need Fashion Advice

Joy

Veteran

I am facing a new fashion challenge and need ideas to still look like myself.
The challenge is a new glucose meter and receiver. The meter attaches to my stomach in front and has thin wire that is embedded into me. Most sticks out and must not be slept on, pushed or jiggled around. The wire can break off. This device is right at my waist so almost any waistlines will interfere. My non-existent hips allow most bottoms to slide down. I have solved this in the past by wearing belts, but there interfere too much with the device now. I have had tights and shapewear completely remove the device. Luckily so far the wire came out too.
In hot weather I can wear loose shift dresses but cold and cool weather has me baffled. I get cold easily.
The most successful pieces have loose elastic waistlines, but I hate elastic waists. They make me feel dumpy and old. Fitted tops show the big lumpy meter on my stomach. Not attractive. What can I wear? This gadget sets off an alarm when my blood sugar is too low or high. I will probably need it the rest of my life. My life style is retired casual but I want to be able to dress up sometimes too. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts or ideas you may have!

Dressing

86 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

nemosmom

Veteran

That sounds really challenging, Joy! Have you tried any of the pocketed undergarments that are for holding CGMs? They are designed to hold the device in place and have a spanx type layer that goes over the wire so you might still be able to wear some of your clothing.

AnnaPS has one; there may be others (I am mobile, but will help search when I am at a better connection)

https://www.annaps.com/carry-a.....et-design/

Brooklyn

Veteran

Oh, I’m sorry Joy, what a challenge for you. Is it the look or feel of an elastic waist that bothers you? I’ve been wearing a lot of elastic waists lately because I’ve lost weight and they can continue to fit through weight variations. I cover them up with a longer top. Usually a knit. I don’t enjoy the feel of them against my skin either but I deal with that by wearing a tucked in cami/singlet underneath my top and the waist band. Could that work for you?
Wishing you good health and resilience x

The Cat

Veteran

Just a thought, Joy: Have you considered asking the medical staff who provided the device? They might know of helpful items available to you, and/or they might be able to provide contact info to patients with relevant experience from how to wear the device in a kind of fashionable way. Maybe there exists a patient organisation you could ask for advice.

rachylou

Veteran

Joy, what kind of CGM do you have? Have you tried any of the overlay tapes? I’ve started to wear mine on my tum (I prefer the back of the arm, but site rotation!)... I think the transmission is not as good as on the arm... but in any case, I’ve had decent results with the overlay tape. I have a Dexcom.

Laurie

Veteran

Oh, Joy. Just had a conversation about this device with the woman next to me in yoga class this morning. She is having a dickens of a time figuring out how to manage it with yoga gear and the twists and turns we do, and she's also driven to distraction by the constant alerting. I feel for you and all of those with this health challenge to manage, as it's a full-time effort. I'm sure it's worth the benefits once you get through the adjustment.
I don't know anything about these devices, but is there any option for where you place the wire, or does it have to be right at the waistline?

I'm envisioning all sorts of wonderful long jackets and asymmetrical tunics and things that flow over looser/elastic waistband pants and look amazing on you. I'm sure you'll get great advice here.

Joy

Veteran

Thank you each for your ideas. Rachylou, I have a Dexcom G6, which is brand new and even the company does not know much. I asked about how to keep the thing on after the first 2 fell off in 2 days. I was using extra tape and the adhesive stuff that fits around the device. It is waterproof for swimming or bathing, but no one knew if I could wear it in the hot tub. The overlay tapes help some to keep the thing on.

Gaylene

Veteran

My friend's pregnant DIL was wearing a pair of Seraphine faux leather leggings with an "under the bump" band. Would something like that work with a pump?

I've often wished there were more designers who would take on the challenge of figuring out innovative ways of dressing those of us who have mobility and medical challenges. You don't lose your style sense just because your physical needs change.

Joy

Veteran

Gaylene, that would be worth checking..
Laurie, I wish this device had an on/off button. Mine was going off like crazy during a movie. I feel all out of proportion in long tunics, but asymmetrical seem doable. Thank you for the kind words and ideas for making elastic waists look good.

Kari

Veteran

Joy, have you searched for insulin pump adaptive clothing (even though that’s not the exact device you have?) Wonder if there might be some solutions in here, or ideas to get you started. I’m not diabetic but I’ve known a few friends with pumps over the years.

https://www.adaptiveclothes.co.....g-diabetes

https://abiliteeadaptivewear.c.....olid-black

https://www.pocketinnerwear.co.....on-pockets

https://thesewcialists.com/201.....ulin-pump/

Kari

Veteran

I also learned through a fashion podcast about IZ Adaptive, which makes disability-friendly clothing. I don’t know if they have something that would work for you but I’ve heard good things about their customer service. (XS to 3XL.)

https://izadaptive.com/pages/about

A couple ideas:

https://izadaptive.com/collect.....yoga-waist

https://izadaptive.com/collect.....yoga-waist

https://izadaptive.com/collect.....ed-legging

https://izadaptive.com/collect.....yoga-waist

Sal

Veteran

That is indeed tricky and difficult.

Would fit and flare midi dresses work with tall boots and socks?

Drawstring pants?

Soft leggings?

Is there a diabetes forum where you can get ideas?

You are such a stylish lady that I am sure we can come up with a solution. But I can empathise that it is a challenge.

rachylou

Veteran

I would try the back of your arm, the fatty part. There are quite a few makers of overlays... GrifGrips are a brand that get mentioned a lot. Water really, in my opinion, is bad for the adhesive. After every shower, I layer on another overlay. I cut the overlays too, so they can go on without wrinkling. Wrinkles in the tape are another enemy of sticking.

Also, I sorta ‘wobble’ the applicator around before peeling it away. Trying to make sure it’s as down as possible.

Also: setting your high limit higher will kill some of those alerts. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I don’t forget to look at the meter... every time I want to eat I’m looking at it...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am glad you have received some good ideas here because this would have me stumped. As you say, loose dresses are great for summer, but you want to be able to dress warmly too. Hope some of the ideas here help!

Joy

Veteran

Kari and Sal, thank you for the links. I will check them out. I do not have a pump and my device is attached to my body. It must be attached in that area because of my age and that it is about the only place where I have enough fat. I do have a problem with scar tissue from years of injections making it difficult to attach the device. It sends findings to a monitor and my cell phone. The monitor is smaller and takes fewer steps to use, so I carry it in a pocket or tiny shoulder bag thing. It needs to be within 20 feet of me or it starts beeping. It was strongly suggested by my doctor to detect glucose swings and has probably keep me alive or at least from passing out twice already.
Fit and flare dresses may work if they do not have a waist. I would have to see about drawstring pants and if they would stay up worn low. Leggings under dresses would give warmth in cold weather if they would stay up and be loose. I do wear a cami or tank under my tops all the time. Sometimes tucking them in helps keep pants and skirts up but I can’t always depend on it. If they roll up they can and have pulled the device and it’s adhesive off.

Classically Casual

Veteran

Joy, I have an Eileen Fisher cropped jump suit from 2017 that is fairly straight, but loose. I think this type of garment might work. It’s sleeveless, and one can wear whatever as a first layer. (I’m almost finished with a lumpy heart alert monitor with wires, so I have a sense of what you’re describing.). There must be sartorial solutions out there.
Maybe also emphasize scarves or necklaces to draw the eye upward?

Joy

Veteran

Rachylou, I look at that monitor a lot, and always before eating to see how much insulin to inject. It needs easy access. I hear you on raising the high limit and have done so since starting to use it. The lows....well they have gone below 40 a few times and that sets off all sorts of long and loud alarms that cannot be changed. It will sound at 55 or lower no matter what I do. I have managed to nearly silence the phone.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok... and now I'm thinking about high and low rise bottoms... sorta avoiding mid-rise styles, if that would work...

Kari

Veteran

Seems like you need a clever fairy godmother adaptive tailor. I’m imagining something like Velcro or snaps or magnets (a la magnetic closures on Tommy Hilfiger’s adaptive line for mobility disabilities) to hold underwear or boyshorts to a cami comfortably and keep it in place... hmmm. I do wonder if that sewing blog or it’s sister Instagram site, Chronically Sewn, might offer some ideas even if you aren’t the one doing the alterations. (I can’t sew myself.)

https://instagram.com/chronica.....m8mmfc1r85

This isn’t exactly what you need either, but it might be a start of an idea. sometimes on long runs I start out in a jacket that I want to strip off as I warm up and don’t want to deal with layers rolling up or down... so sometimes I wear this bodysuit as my base layer, and I don’t put the straps over my shoulders but pull the top up over boobs. It stays in place like a cami, keeps me covered if/when I take off the jacket, and I can pull it off under my jacket like pants for easy bathroom access without having to totally undress. Again, this is activewear and not exactly what you need, but maybe some similar hack to keep layers from shifting...

https://www.universalstandard......suit-black

Joy

Veteran

Classical Casual, I wonder if a jump suit would allow easy access to the stomach area to give injections several times (5 at least) a day. Does the EF one have fasteners down the front? . I like EF things except recently with all the low on the arm shoulder seams and use of viscose fabric. Scarves and necklaces are a good idea.
Thank you, Shevia, for you kind comment.
Rachylou, deciding on where a waist can hit is a good idea. To avoid the scar tissue I have been putting it high where even high waisted things do not reach, any lower (mid or low rise call for a belt).

rachylou

Veteran

Well ok, ja, the low alerts are a good thing!!

I've been putting the CGM sensor right above the waistband of the pants/skirt I'm wearing... of course, that means for the next ten days, I have to wear things with the same kind of rise. I'm going to try putting it below the waistband next... although that might be a sensor out the window. I don't know if I got enough fat deposits below the waistband, lol...

Joy

Veteran

Kari, maybe something I can experiment with, My little cup cakes would not keep anything up, and magnets may mess with DH’s pacemaker/ defribulator if I get too close. I can sew on snaps and Velcro. I wonder if skirt and jean waists can be secured with Velcro.

Joy

Veteran

You are right that the sensor needs to be moved every 10 days. I have yet for one to stay on that long even with extra adhesive. If it comes off early, call the company and they will send you a new one. They also sent some of their adhesive things with a hole in the middle for the metal part, but they are not very good about staying on. I followed the directions of cleaning the area with alcohol, letting it dry and rubbing the tape part more than 3 times being sure there are no wrinkles..

Classically Casual

Veteran

I googled jumpsuits with front buttons and this was one of the https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse.....ge-content

I mention it more as a prototype than it specifically. My jumpsuit has a back zipper, so not functional for you.

rachylou

Veteran

Maybe try skipping the rubbing alcohol? I’ve had better luck without doing that. I also have gone so far as to shield it in the shower. Saran Wrap and medical tape...

Gigi

Veteran

Sorry you're having to deal with this. It's a challenge for sure.

Would you be able to wear a pair of suspenders to keep pants up? You could wear them underneath your shirt so that they wouldn't be visible. But I'm not sure how comfortable that would be.

Joy

Veteran

Thank you, Rachylou, have tried the medical tape but not the Saran Wrap. I am wondering if the cream rinse I use to wash my hair in the shower has something to do with the adhesive coming off. If that is the answer, I have a huge problem on my hands as shampoo and the like cause major flacky itchy cracking, bloody patches on my head, face, hands, etc. that take months to heal.

Joy

Veteran

Gigi, I had not thought of suspenders. That is a good idea.. I could wear big-in-the-waist jeans with a chunky sweater over a tank or tee and be warm.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Joy, I don't have any ideas (yet) but I wanted to send commiserations and support for this. It does indeed sound like a challenge. I suspect that a combination of the suggestions here plus your own inimitable style sense will help you find a path toward comfortable, practical style -- but wow -- if ever there was a situation related to today's blog post, this is it! Practicality plus style is exactly what you need!

Kari

Veteran

Here’s another that may help - again, I know you don’t have a pump, but the location on the abdomen is similar.

https://simplybeautifulstore-c....._c_16.html

Thinking of other possibilities- I know your CGM is a lot smaller than an ostomy pouch and the needs are different, but again for a device that attaches to the abdomen, I wonder if ostomy fashion might lead to clothing ideas that you could use.

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