So if you’re a guy looking to get a leg up with fashion tights or need compression hose for medical reasons, where can you go?

Online

There are a variety of online retailers who stock manty hose. Amazon carries a few hosiery items designed for men, including black fishnets – Mens Black Fishnet Pantyhose.

Other popular retailers include e-mancipate.net and G. Lieberman and Sons, Ltd. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box also. Compression stockings, designed for men with circulation problems, also offer mantyhose-loving men a tights option. The full-length version of this type of support hose are available in full length, thigh high and knee length versions.

Brick and Mortar

If you want to try some hose on in person, check out a medical supply store. These retailers carry a variety of supportive hosiery for people of all sizes and can offer professional measuring and fitting. They tend to be a bit pricier than online retailers, however.

Insurance Options

Finally, if you need mantyhose for medical reasons, don’t forget to look into reimbursement through your health insurance provider. The cost of compression hosiery is often covered by your insurance if you need it for lymphedema, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, or other circulation-related disorders.

Researchers in Paris, France, instructed a group of people with obstructive sleep apnea to wear stockings to wear the support hose daily for 1 week; the comparison group did not wear stockings for 1 week. After a week, the groups switched. During the study, every night the researchers measured each participant’s neck fluid volume.

The researchers theorized that preventing fluid accumulation in the legs by using stockings would then prevent fluid from building up in the neck – and their theory proved correct in this small study of 12 people. When the people in the study wore the stockings, they had 62% less fluid in the legs, 60% reduction in the size of their necks (indicating less fluid buildup), and 36% fewer sleep apnea incidents per hour.

Sleep apnea, which causes between 5 and 30 brief interruptions in sleep per hour, doesn’t just leave you drowsy. Obstructive sleep apnea can wreck serious havoc on your health.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the airway blockage caused by sleep apnea can increase your blood pressure, as well as increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, heart failure and arrhythmias. It also increases the likelihood that a person will be involved in work-related or driving accidents.

Doctors treat obstructive sleep apnea by prescribing lifestyle changes (like losing weight and avoiding alcohol) and oral appliance and continuous positive airway pressure machines to make breathing at night easier.

Compression wear are prescribed for people with a wide variety of venous insufficiency disorders. Using compression hosiery and compression stocking aids can promote blood flow, reducing the risk of blood clots, leg swelling and other vein problems.

If you have vein problems or chronic sleep apnea, you should be followed by a doctor to monitor your progress and ensure that the treatments recommended for you are working. Talk to your doctor about the study findings or for answers to any questions you have about your medical conditions.

Source: Redolfi S, Arnulf I, Pottier M, Lajou J, Koskas I, Bradley TD, Similowski T. Attenuation of obstructive sleep apnea by compression stockings in subjects with venous insufficiency. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011 Nov 1;184(9):1062-6.

But are they safe, and do they increase the risk of falls? A 2008 editorial in the American Journal of Nursing suggested that patients who wear these devices and try to walk may trip over the bulky sleeves used to help circulate the body’s fluid.

To examine the issue of whether these devices pose a safety risk, researchers from the Department of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania examined almost 5 years of patient safety data from a large, urban hospital. Their study noted how many SCDS falls occurred, compared to the number of days pneumatic compression users spent in the hospital. Overall, they looked at 3.562 falls that occurred at their hospital during the 5-year period.

The results? Using these devices failed to increase the risk of falls. Out of the 3,562 falls that took place, only 16 were related to using SCDS. Most of the falls occurred in a surgical ward and while patients were trying to get to the toilet. All but two of the falls were minor and required no medical intervention.

If you need to use a sequential compression device for lymphedema or other vein disorder, rest assured that the devices won’t contribute to an increased risk of falls and won’t increase the risk of a dangerous spill. However, it still pays to be careful, so here are a few tips to prevent injuries if you use these devices at home:

• Choose a clear area to use SCDS. Move items on the floor and around the chair or couch so you have a clear area in case you need to get up quickly. Remove rugs that could become bunched or otherwise impede your movement.
• Take the time to use the toilet before beginning to use a sequential device.
• Have a friend or family member nearby in case you need help getting up after using the device.
• Give yourself plenty of time to use the device. Don’t schedule appointments or activities right after a session with your SCDS; clear your schedule so you are free to move slowly and at your own pace.
• Keep a cane, walker, or scooter chair nearby if you need one, so you can access it immediately after using the device.
• Ask your doctor about tips for using these medical devices safely and for other tips on avoiding falls.

The study authors surveyed more than 16,000 patients with chronic venous disorder, a disease for which wearing compression gear is often recommended. The tight compression of the stockings help support veins in the lower part of the body, making it easier for blood to flow freely and reducing the likelihood of clots.

More than 5% of patients said they’d discontinued stocking therapy because they were too expensive. Patients also reported avoiding support hose because they caused itching, swelling, sweating, were difficult to put on, and were unattractive.

What does this mean for you? If you’re concerned about the cost of stockings, you’re not alone. Here are a few tips for cutting costs without sacrificing your medical needs:

·         Avoid off brand stockings.  Although they’re cheap, drugstore versions don’t work as well and may wear out faster. Stick with known brands, like Jobst, Sigvaris, Mediven and Juzo.

·         Buy stockings online. Because online dealers can purchase stockings in bulk, you may get a better deal than at a medical supply store (although a medical supply store will have someone to help ensure you get a good fit). If you are ordering online, be sure you know how to measure yourself for stockings.

·         Ask your insurance company if your prescription stockings are reimbursed. Medicare will reimburse a portion of the cost of prescription stockings, for example.

·         Find out if your doctor can order the stockings at cost. This saves you shipping charges and you may get a discount.

·         Save money on shipping by purchasing from Amazon and others who offer deals for purchases over $25.

Here are a few high-quality varieties of stockings at a reasonable price:

·         Juzo soft compression stockings (helps eliminate itching and sweating)

·         Sigvaris closed toe

·         Mediven unisex compression stockings

Source: Compliance with compression stockings in patients with chronic venous disorders. Phlebology, August 2011, epub ahead of print.

That’s a mouthful! What’s intermittent pneumatic compression? Let’s break it down:

• Intermittent – in intervals
• Pneumatic – using air
• Compression – with a squeezing motion

This intermittent therapy helps prevent blood clots from forming in the extremities, especially useful for people with vein problems, lymphedema, or after surgery. Your legs or arms are inserted into a plastic or cloth sleeve and an air pump inflates the sleeve with air at regular intervals. This squeezing action provides pressure that helps circulate blood from your veins and back to your heart and reduces the chance that you’ll develop dangerous clots.

Doctors may also refer to the machine that pumps the air as a sequential compression device.

Using these devices can cut the risk of deep vein thrombosis by up to 60%, some research studies show. In addition to using intermittent pneumatic compression, your doctor may recommend that you take medications to thin your blood and use compression stockings to support your veins and improve blood flow.

Researchers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, had people with restless legs use a sequential compression pump for an hour before bed or when they usually developed restless legs symptoms. A sequential device is often prescribed for people with a circulation problem called lymphedema. A puffy sleeve is placed around your arm or leg and hooked to a machine. When turned on, the machine inflates the sleeve and squeezes your arm or leg, which helps blood and fluid flow more effectively throughout your body. Extra fluid that collects in your limbs is eliminated through urine. It’s a time-consuming but painless type of treatment that helps restless legs syndrome, too.

In the study, published in the journal Medicine, one patient out of 10 dropped out because of noncompliance. But three of the patients, who’d experienced RLS for an average of 5 years before the study, found their restless legs symptoms went away entirely after 1 to 3 months of using the sequential compression device. The other 6 patients said their symptoms significantly improved. They reported having a better quality of life, less daytime sleepiness, better sleep quality and emotional well-being, and an easier time competing daily tasks.

Restless legs can be caused by a variety of symptoms, including chronic diseases like nerve disorders, kidney failure, and diabetes. Some medications cause RLS, such as antipsychotic drugs, antinausea drugs, antidepressants, and allergy medications. Pregnancy is another common cause. Though some types of medicine can treat RLS, they do carry a risk of side effects. Sequential pumps, though expensive, may help relieve restless legs without significant side effects.

The cost of sequential compression devices often depends on how many chambers they have. More chambers are more expensive, but also generally more effective.

A 2005 study in 30 people with lymphedema published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery found that a portable sequential compression unit called the SCD Express was just as effective at removing lymphedema fluid as a larger, stationery unit.

Compression units are pricey, and even portable versions cost upward of $1000 or more. If portability is important to you, talk to your doctor about choosing sequential compression that can go with you wherever you go. People who use this type of medical therapy may need to complete three to four 2-hour sessions a day. Having the flexibility to carry the unit with you may help you comply with your doctor’s compression instructions more easily.

And if you’re traveling, don’t forget your lymphedema sleeves, compression sleeves, and compression stockings, as well as compression stocking aids.

For sequential compression devices, your doctor may recommend a brand like PresSion, Flexitouch, BioCompression, Wright Therapy, or Kendall. Both compression garments and compression pumps are medical devices, can be somewhat complicated to operate if you’re new to using them and may require assistance to learn how to use properly. It’s tempting to go with an off-name brand to save a few bucks, but your doctor made a recommendation for a tested product for your situation, so it’s advisable to follow the advice of someone familiar with your specific health situation.

Part of treating lymphedema, especially lymphedema of the leg, may involve therapy with a pump. One brand is called the Lympha Press. The person with lymphedema puts a sleeve on the leg and hooks the sleeve to a plastic tube, which connects to the pump. Then the pump squeezes and releases the sleeve – kind of like a blood pressure cuff. This process encourages the flow of fluid in the leg so it can be removed from the body through urine.

If you use a pump in the hospital, you may need a catheter to collect your urine because you won’t be able to move easily while wearing the sleeve and because the process creates lots of urine. Your nurse may check how much urine you’re producing to see how well the compression pump treatments are working.

You may also need to buy compression stockings to wear when you’re not using your pump.

A physical therapist or nurse can help you learn how to use a pump at home.

Each compression session lasts 2 hours. You may do up to 3 or 4 sessions daily. You may need to do one leg first, then the other. Your nurse, doctor or physical therapist will tell you which pressure setting to use.

To use the pump, put it on a flat surface. Put on the protective stockinette, with the sleeve over top of it. Attach the hoses to the leg sleeve – hose #1 should attach at the foot, followed by #2, etc., until you get to #12 at the top of your leg. Prop your feet on a pillow or blanket so your toes are above your knees. Now connect the hoses to the pump and tighten them. Turn the pump on, and ensure the pressure is at the correct level.

If you have to do both legs, repeat the steps once your treatment time is up.

If you develop problems like chest pain, a fever, chills, drainage from your wound or you feel short of breath, give your doctor a call.

What Is a Liposuction Compression Garment?

A liposuction compression garment is a garment that you wear after plastic surgery. It’s made of a mesh fabric that supports, or compresses, the lymphatic system. Putting pressure on the lymphatic system helps fluid and blood flow more easily through your blood vessels, so you don’t have the severe swelling and fluid accumulation that often occurs after surgery when you’re immobile or doing only light physical activity.

There are a lot of compression garments on the market. You can find compression socks, compression arm sleeves, and compression stockings in thigh high and knee high lengths. For liposuction surgery, your doctor will recommend a full-body liposuction compression garment.

How Long Do I Wear Them?

Your surgeon will give you the specifics on how long to wear them, but you’ll probably need to wear them 24 hours a day, seven days a week for three to six months until you’re fully healed. Today’s liposuction compression garments are made of elastic fabric that aren’t too bulky, so you can wear them under clothes. Think of them like a healthy girdle for your body.

What Type Is Best?

Researchers from Houston, Texas, conducted a study evaluating two types of liposuction garments: those made from a control garment called PowerNet and those made from an elastic fabric technology called F5-certified experimental garment, or ComfortWeave. Patients tested both types of garments, which covered them from below the breasts to mid-calf, for 30 days and then completed an extensive survey about their experiences.

The results? 82% of the patients preferred the ComfortWeave garments made by Marena, compared to the control-top like garments. Participants said the Marena garments were softer and created a better-fitting shape. They reported the control garment was itchier and caused more skin irritation. The researchers concluded that the F5 garments made it easier for patients to comply with their doctors’ recommendations to wear liposuction compression garments.

Liposuction garments, like those manufactured by Marena, are labeled by stage – first, second, third. The stage refers to the stage of recovery you’re in – so certain ones you wear right away after surgery (first), others you wear in the second stage like camisoles and girdles (second), and the third you wear when you’re almost healed. The earlier the stage, the stronger the compression level, or how tightly the fabric pushes on your lymphatic system.

Where Do You Buy a Lipo Garment?

You can buy liposuction garments online; there are several brands and varieties to choose from:

• Lipo in a Box “Original Firm Control” Control Bodysuit w/Legs w/Underwire, Nude, Black or Chocolate XS thru 2X

One reviewer says: “This is the best bodysuit I’ve found. It truly does everything I need it to do. It offers great support without feeling like your grandmother’s girdle. AND because of the very generous gusset atea, it is actually possible to use the bathroom without incident.”

Another reports: “This is the BEST full-body shaper I’ve found! It’s just the right support, not too hot, the underwires don’t poke (although at an “F” cup size I find the support could be better) and you can wear a bra underneath if you want.”

• Marena Support Girdle with Long Legs (F5 Certified Compression Garment with ComfortWeave)

Here’s what one reviewer says about Marena compression garments: “I’m in love with this compression garment. I had a tummy tuck and my plastic surgeon recommended me to start using a second stage garment so I decided to try this one and I don’t regret it, it’s lightweight but it provides the necessary compression, I was using a Veronique one and this one is much better and cheaper. I would recommend this garment to anyone looking for 2nd stage garment.”

• Marena Support Girdle with Medium Legs (F5 Certified Compression Garment with ComfortWeave)
• Marena Support Girdle with Short Legs (F5 Certified Compression Garment with ComfortWeave)

One user expressed her surprise about this garment: “I was a bit concerned when I received this item. I had purchased it thinking it had shoulder straps to hold it up. It doesn’t. however the item does not fall or roll down. It provides great support, without binding or hurting you. I am very happy with it.”

Generally, the fluid accumulation associated with lymphedema is treated with compression therapy and compression garments. Bandages or gauze are wrapped around the affected limb, and a supportive stocking or arm sleeve that compresses the lymph and blood vessels is placed on top. This process of wrapping and applying compression garments, though it can sometimes get tedious, helps support the lymph system and helps the person’s body better eliminate the extra fluid buildup.

A person with lymphedema may also need to use a sequential compressive device, or compression pumps, which provide intermittent pressure to the arm or leg to help the body get rid of extra fluid. People with lymphedema slide their arms or legs into a sleeve and turn on the compression pumps. The sleeves inflate with air and add pressure to the limb.

In some cases, though, a person may have such severe lymphedema that he or she may investigate surgical therapies. If a person has oozing, weeping lymph fluid, can’t walk or do regular activities at home, or experiences daily severe pain because of lymphedema, surgical therapy could be an option. Doctors stress that debulking surgery for lymphedema doesn’t cure the condition, and in some cases, it may worsen.

There are several different ways that surgeons may attempt to debulk a lymphedema patient and improve the person’s ability to drain lymph fluid. The most common type of debulking is making a small skin flap and removing a small portion of skin and underlying tissue. Surgeons then close the wound and allow it to heal. A few months later, surgeons repeat the same approach in a different area of the affected limb.

Sometimes suction is used to help with debulking, by using a vacuum to suck up underlying tissue, but lymphedema often comes back quickly after this procedure. And in rare cases, a technique is used to take all skin and subcutaneous tissue from the affected limb. Then doctors graft the person’s cut-away skin back onto the body. There are many life-threatening complications associated with this type of surgery.

In all cases, there are serious complications associated with debulking and lymphedema. A patient may experience nerve damage, increased risk of bacterial infection, ulcers, large scar tissue formation, weeping sores, and cosmetic skin problems after debulking.

Note: All information on About Compression Stockings is for your education purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.