As a parallel component to the post-surgery breast cancer care we provide our patients, Pretty In Pink Boutique offers services to help patients manage their lymphedema symptoms. While lymphedema can develop in many ways, damage to the lymphatic system from cancer treatments is one of the leading causes, making these services a natural progression in caring for our patients.
Pretty In Pink Boutique offers fittings for compression garments for lymphedema year-round, but we like to draw extra attention to this condition during Lymphedema Awareness Month every March. Read more about how lymphedema develops, symptom management in coordination with Compression Care, and our passion for providing care for lymphedema patients.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by swelling that occurs when the lymphatic system is not working optimally. The lymphatic system is a network of lymph nodes throughout the body that move fluid required to help your body’s systems function. For people with primary lymphedema, that lymphatic system never developed adequately and causes swelling on one side of the body, typically in an extremity. The more common type of lymphedema, secondary lymphedema, presents after someone has damaged the lymphatic system through cancer treatment, surgery, etc., and the movement of fluid in the body becomes restricted.
When the lymphatic system is compromised, the lymph nodes don’t function properly, and the system gets backed up, resulting in swelling. Typically, in lymphedema, the swelling will present on one side of the body, most commonly in an arm or leg, and will affect the entire extremity down to the fingers and toes.
What Are The Primary Symptoms and How Are They Managed?
The primary symptom of lymphedema is discomfort because of the swelling that occurs. People with lymphedema describe the feeling as a sense of heaviness, pressure, or tightness and often experience a restricted range of motion in the swollen limb.
Lymphedema is usually not curable. Though it is a chronic condition, vast improvements have been made in treatment options for managing its symptoms. Because there’s a “backup” of fluid in the swollen areas, it’s essential to drain that fluid and decongest the backup. With the help of a lymphedema therapist, decongestive therapy, and prescription compression garments, the symptoms of lymphedema can be relieved.
Why We Are So Passionate About Providing Lymphedema Care
Compression Care launched as a parallel business to Pretty In Pink Boutique in 2023 because we had seen how lymphedema develops in our post-surgery breast cancer patients and wanted to provide access to the tools needed to manage symptoms. It might seem like a simple process to purchase a compression garment, but it’s essential to work with a trained compression fitter to ensure that the garment fits properly and provides the correct amount of compression. That’s where Compression Care steps in. No matter where you live in the United States, you can meet with a lymphedema compression fitting specialist online and receive exemplary service for the garments you need.
At Pretty In Pink Boutique, we are passionate about helping our patients look and feel their best throughout their post-surgery journey. With updates in the types of garments available in more “wearable” prints and colors, we’ve seen many people begin to embrace their lymphedema and wear colorful compression garments as fashion accessories. The designs help these medical garments blend in as a typical fashion, ensuring that patients get the compression they need while living their daily lives.
Changing Times with the Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) and Medicare Coverage
A grassroots mobilization that lasted many years finally culminated with the passing and enactment of the Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) this year. As of January 1, 2024, compression garments prescribed for the treatment of lymphedema are now covered through Medicare.
Since the coverage is so new, Pretty in Pink Boutique and Compression Care are still processing Medicare claims with a conservative approach to provide the best financial outcome for our patients. If you’d like to learn more about our policies regarding this new coverage, we have several posts for your reference on our website and Compression Care, which we will link below.
- Latest News About the Lymphedema Treatment Act and Medicare Coverage
- Current Updates for Processing Medicare Claims for Compression Garments
Pretty in Pink Boutique and Compression Garments for Lymphedema Treatment
Pretty In Pink Boutique specializes in ready-to-wear and custom compression garments for any part of the body. We are proud to partner with Juzo and Medi as our preferred suppliers for compression garments for daywear because of their exceptional medical-grade quality and wide range of prints and colors.
All compression garments require a fitting appointment with one of our knowledgeable fitters. An appointment allows us to give you personal attention in our designated compression fitting rooms for a private, comfortable experience. If you have a prescription from your doctor to incorporate compression garments into your treatment plan, book an appointment with us by calling 615-777-7465 or emailing info@prettyinpinkboutique.com.
