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Beth D. Caregiver

LVAD clothing

My brother received his LVAD on 02/02/2015. We went through the same search. The vest he received in hospital was uncomfortable for him. At one of his therapy sessions we found the answer. I replicated an idea a fellow patient's wife devised for him. We use mans tank tops which I modify. Turn shirt hem up 7 inches, right sides together sew pockets for batteries, one on each side under arm, and pocket for controller. Tank tops can be purchased for about $5. We live in Florida and these are cool and comfortable. He wears a shirt over his tank top when he goes away from home, or sometimes just his tank top with no over shirt. I would be happy to help anyone with instructions on to make one. I made my brother 30 of them when he first had his LVAD so they can be changed daily. I do not use the old fashioned tank top ribbed style t-shirts because they are not sturdy enough for my brother. Please let me know at work4cat@yahoo.com if I can help anyone with instructions on how to sew shirt.
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Donna S.

I can sew a little and would love to get instructions on how to do this.  Sounds like it is something I can do but just not clever enough to figure it out,  Thank you,.

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In reply to by Donna S.

Beth D.

Hi, send me an email at my email address which is work4cat@yahoo.com and I will send you the instructions.

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Mark H.

My brother has four of these vests and loves them:  https://vadvest.com/

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In reply to by Larry B.

Pat A.

  1. My husband had an  Lvad for 4 1/2 yrs. . He has since had a heart transplant. I used to go to sears , JCPenny etc.  after the season Feb. and buy winter vests at mark down price some $60. Down to $12.00 , some had huge inside pockets for the batteries . Same for mark downs after the summer time. I bought vests for as little as $ 12.0 after winter / summer mark downs. Meantime I have bought vests at Bass pro  . I think their brand is called Red something . Look for inside vest pockets in all of the vests . He first wore a fishing vest from there . Reg. Price , around 30. O0. At the beginning I had a seamstress put pockets in a reg. Priced vests, didn’t know anything at the time had to wing everything as we went.  a seamstress sew in inside pockets to a regular one, but it was more money .( If you know a sewer it’s cheap. I even picked up a large pair of khaki men’s pants on $$$ day at Good will, washed them and cut them up to match vest colors to make a pockets. If you have anymore guestions you can email me . acura1234567@aol.com. God bless everyone .  It’s a journey  God was with us . ❤️
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Bruce K.

I have Heartware. I use a two-gun, belly band holster. I wear it backwards around my chest. One battery in each pocket. The computer is velroed. I don't even know I'm wearing it except when the batteries beep to be changed. They're widely available on the web starting at about $7.00. I also get a great night's sleep.

 

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In reply to by Bruce K.

KEVIN O.

Hi, I have found two shirts that are are around $60-$70.  LVADshirt.com and Etsy .com. Both well thought out and different styles.

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In reply to by Bruce K.

Kevin W.

Hello. My husband received his Heartware on September 24. Could you explain where you put the controller when using the gun holster for the batteries?

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Elaine L.

My son will be getting an LVAD and I'm trying to find a way to get the shirts he needs without going broke. Your idea sounds like it will work any other instructions or ideas.