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We get nervous every six months. A big decision is imminent and we want to do everything right. What colors do I want to wear in the coming months? Which sample do I have to order? What suits me best?
A difficult walk
And then we'll have the worst behind us. The recipe has been picked up, the new measurements taken and we just have to tap on the color fan and get the compression stockings that we want to feel really comfortable with.
"The pattern is not for your fat legs, you'd better use black."
Bäm, right in the face. But I wanted to Aqua with pyramids to have? Or maybe Batik with white and purple space ... Can't I wear this if I have bulky legs? And before you have finished this train of thought, you walk out the door of the medical supply store and feel a strange mixture between insecurity and disappointment. What exactly happened there? It was actually just nice advice.
A sensitive moment
They are specialists and usually very well informed about conservative edema therapy. You regularly measure a wide variety of legs and, by looking after many customers, you can tell from experience which decisions you tend to make. Black and beige are of course the best sellers and fit into every wardrobe and of course they have something ready for special requests such as colors and patterns.
But isn't the conversation in the booth or at the counter still a critical moment when you should really feel what the customer really wants. Irrespective of its visual characteristics, a colored restoration may be the last little piece of joie de vivre, that she can use to cover her legs that put so much strain on her.
I am not advocating less expression of opinion or advice, but rather more sensitivity in dealing with edema patients. Of course, the specialist can express doubts as to whether the customer is sure of her choice because she is bound to this color for half a year. Only the sound makes the music and the mostly already cracked self-confidence can be damaged by such a statement.
Wear what you enjoy
Compression is not only a medical care at the end of the day, it's also a fashion. And fashion should be fun, give a good feeling and convey this to the outside world. It always exudes your own taste, because you bought the clothes for the same reason. So if you like something, wear it. Because at this moment it does not matter whether others like it, only whether it is doing something good for you at that moment. Does it give you confidence, does it make you feel pretty, does it underline your lifestyle, does it bring you joy, does it inspire you?
And if it's patterned compression stockings, wear them! No matter what your legs look like, it is your attitude towards life and your taste with which you can dress them. And if you enjoy patterns, nobody should take them away from you. I can understand when some people don't want to pay extra attention to their legs because they are difficult to bear. It is not easy to ignore the hatred of your own body. But as is so often the case in life, it pays to see the good in the bad. Because with a strong expression, the legs stand out by themselves. So the glances happened a long time ago. And if you opt for patterned compression, the looks won't change, because the legs are the same, you just wrap them in your taste and self-evident. They are, after all, a part of you that wants to be dressed as well as the rest of your body.
Comment from the last Outfit post
Inspired by stories from self-help groups
The attitude behind it is the same as that which demands that only very slim women should wear figure-hugging clothing or flashy colors: As if one were obliged to only wear an imperfect part of one's body in camouflage colors, or preferably with it to hide an invisibility cloak.
I recently wrote in a comment on another blog about a situation in which an acquaintance used the completely normal legs of a stranger in a knee-length skirt as a "herb pounder" or something similar. reviled, not for her to hear, but neither can I be sure that she didn't hear it. What's that supposed to mean?
In such comments it becomes clear that some people find it unreasonable when they see something that does not correspond to their ideal. That would be on a level as if every man with thinning hair or bald head were given a more or less loud comment just because he is not wearing a hat - no one would either!
As far as the colors are concerned: the employee of the medical supply store told me an interesting tip that I still have to try before I order my first replacement supply. (My first supply is black because I often need it.) She advised me to be skin-colored and then, depending on my outfit, put on thin colored tights, or patterned fishnet stockings or similar in summer. Have any of you tried that before? I have only been wearing flat-knitted compression for a week and cannot assess what of the time-consuming dressing beginner's fight and what is everyday life and how far an additional layer would disturb.
Hello Annesch!
Yeah, I've done this a couple of times. It works, it only bothered me because my pantyhose sometimes slipped and you don't notice it that quickly. But just give it a try. 🙂
Best regards,
Caroline
Fortunately, my sanitarywoman has never said anything like this, but I've thought about it several times ...
I think this checked pattern that comes out now is soooo beautiful * ___ *
But the question that concerns me myself, of course it looks pretty on a slim leg, but on a leg like mine, if the squares are pulled apart like that, I can't imagine that it looks good o_O That's why I'll probably ne again Take plain-colored leggings for fear of feeling even more uncomfortable than I already have ^. ^
Halllo dear Mina,
I can definitely understand the uncertainty. As I said, it's a tough decision every time. If you want to trust yourself, just choose a colored and an inconspicuous compression. If it does get too much for you, you can "defuse" it again with normal leggings. Is just a small idea 🙂
Best regards,
Caroline
Hello Mina,
I decided on Medi tights with the crosses. And I have to tell you that at first I had the same concerns as you. And I'm so happy that I dared to have something special made. It sits much better and it doesn't make the legs any bigger than they already are.
To explain, I have neither slim legs and am also quite small.
Just dare!
LG Sabine
Hello, my name is Martina and I have been wearing Kompris for three years. Thigh highs and Bermuda shorts. My first ones were skin-colored, but thanks to the great advice in the Binn medical supply store from Ms. Binn and my self-help group in Düsseldorf, I became brave. I hardly wear pants anymore, but layered looks from Hanni's Store Fashion and More from Jüchen and bright yellow, purple, pink and black Kompris. Everyone, really everyone, compliments me. I think that's totally beautiful and at night I am a little proud to aggressively flaunt my legs. However, I have to say that I have stage II to III and it is mainly on the thighs and stomach.
Greetings and lots of courage for everyone.
Martina
Hallo,
I felt the same way 3/4 year ago. First the shock with the diagnosis and then the decision with the colors.
I've only been wearing black (or mostly) for many years. Well concealed 😉
It was very different with the stockings. I just have to wear it now, but then everyone can see it! The first were red with pyramid. Okay, change black. Must be a subtle one.
Then it worked so well and the leg circumference quickly became less. I needed intermediate care. And again! Red pyramid and aqua with stars. I love aqua. And in the summer I didn't care. I was wearing shorts and yes I was looked at. But I didn't feel bad about it. Because through the Kompri I had beautifully shaped (or pressed into shape) legs for the first time.
I'll get a new recipe tomorrow. The decision is difficult again. I discovered the new colors and patterns yesterday. It will definitely be colorful!
And by the way. Thanks to your blog, I dared to wear a dress for the first time in 15 years at Christmas. A black one to the Aquas. There will be more clothes now.
Be brave! Forget the looks. You count and nobody else. Be colorful and feel good
Best regards
Nicole
Hallo,
A week ago, I had a diagnosis of lipedema out of my lack of understanding about constantly growing legs. Since then I've been wondering what a supply looks like on me and what it's like to wear.
I didn't realize that there are different patterns. Will the already tight clothing then become even tighter? How about shoes and boots? Question after question.
LG
Petra
Hello Petra,
the compression feels like thick, firm tights. This also changes the mobility in pants. Unfortunately, this is a matter of getting used to. Shoes and boots are m. E. not closer than before. There are several manufacturers with different patterns, colors and finishes. You will have to make your own experiences for the first time, but at some point you will know which brand suits you best.
I hope we can help you on this path 🙂
Best regards,
Caroline
Isabel Garcia: I have lipodema, but my arms are not that badly affected. But still arms and legs are much fuller than the rest. I did a lot of research for my book about Lipodem I am more than my legs. When a doctor came and said that many who are affected by lipodema had significantly fewer problems, fat legs were the fashion. This is an ancient sentence that someone said earlier when the first lipodema diagnoses were made. And of course that's true. We are in a cycle. We have physical pain that is emotional. And the mental pains make the physical pains worse. I think we could endure the physical pain much easier if we knew (laughs) that we had the hottest fat legs for it. That's a thought I like to chew on. I now show myself more and more without pantyhose. That is on purpose. With shorter skirts. Also with a mini skirt. And I always get positive feedback that someone finds it brave. Where I think no, I'm just me Why is it brave when I show my legs as a woman?