FAQs

1. Am I a LympheDIVA????
2. How do I become an official LympheDIVA?
3. When do I wear my LympheDIVAs sleeve?
4. I have lower extremity lymphedema. Do you have any fashions for me?
5. I have truncal lymphedema (swelling in the back and chest). Will you be making garments for this condition?
6. What makes LympheDIVAs™ products better than other compression garments?
7. How do I know what size to order for my LympheDIVAs™ fashions?
8. Can I request a custom-made sleeve?
9. I have lots of ideas on how to make my sleeve more comfortable. How do I share my ideas and suggestions for future LympheDIVAs™ products?
10. Do I have to wear a gauntlet with my compression sleeve?
11. How do I care for my LympheDIVAs™ garment?
12. How long will my LympheDIVAs™ garment last?
13. I found a loose thread at the wrist or in the cuff of my sleeve. I’m afraid the sleeve will run. What should I do?
14. I hate it when people ask, “What happened to your arm” Any suggestions on how to respond?
15. Can I wear LympheDIVAs™ products if I do not have lymphedema?
16. Can I find LympheDIVAs™ products in stores?
17. Are LympheDIVAs products covered by my health insurance?
18. I am a male with upper extremity lymphedema. Can I wear your products?
19. How can I become a DIVA Dealer?
20. Can LympheDIVAs™ create full-fingered gloves?
21. Can I mix and match sleeves and gauntlets?
22. Do LympheDIVAs™ garments come with a silicone border?
23. I understand that LympheDIVAs™ products are fashionable but how can I trust that they will safely manage my lymphedema?
24. What classes of compression does LypheDIVAs™ offer and how is that compression defined?
25. What is the Diva Diamond Band?

1. Am I a LympheDIVA???? If you are a woman who is battling or has defeated the evil monster known as “breast cancer,” you may actually be a LympheDIVA! LympheDIVAs™ come in all shapes and sizes. They are beautiful, they are fashionable and they are confident. You can’t blame them; they have more than enough to be proud of. LympheDIVAs™ are on the move, managing their lymphedema with comfort, style, and grace. They are concerned with their health and they care for their bodies. If you have the attitude and consider yourself admired, glamorous or distinguished, then consider yourself a LympheDIVA!
   For medical information, please visit the lymphedema page or email Dr. Howard Levin, howard@lymphedivas.com. Back To Top
2. How do I become an official LympheDIVA? When you register at www.LympheDIVAs.com, you have become official! Keep up-to-date with the new LympheDIVAs products and styles. Know the lymphedema community and facts. Befriend another LympheDIVA (they know how to have a good time!!) Back To Top
3. When do I wear my LympheDIVAs™ sleeve? LympheDIVAs sleeves are not intended to be worn at night. The amount of time and degree to which you wear your LympheDIVAs™ sleeve will depend on the severity of your own lymphedema. Consult with your therapist or physician to determine how often you need to wear your sleeve. Divas embrace the challenges life throws them with style and grace! Back To Top
4. I have lower extremity lymphedema. Do you have any fashions for me? Have no fear, Lower Extremity DIVAs!! We know you are out there and we look forward to serving you. What we like to say is that we are “working our way down the body.” We began with what we know (upper extremity LE) and now intend to expand into what we have learned regarding lymphedema. If you have lower extremity lymphedema, please contact us so we can keep you on our mailing list for future updates on new products! Back To Top
5. I have truncal lymphedema (swelling in the back and chest). Will you be making garments for this condition? LympheDIVAs™ is constantly developing new products and ways to better serve our divas. If you would like to receive updates on the availability of garments for the treatment of truncal lymphema, please contact us so we can keep you on our mailing list for future updates on new products! Back To Top
6. What makes LympheDIVAs™ products better than other compression garments? The main ingredients in LympheDIVAs™ products are compassion, insight, technology, with the objective to improve how YOU feel about treating your lymphedema. With this in mind, LympheDIVAs products include moisture-wicking technology, which pulls sweat away from the body and is fast-drying! LympheDIVAs products are also outfitted with Lycra® spaFx which moisturizes your skin with aloe vera and keeps your arm cooler! Unbelievable, right? There’s more. LympheDIVAs products are comfortable and breathable. They provide the proper grade of graduated compression for the management of lymphedema. Our fabrics are latex-free and offer 360º stretch, which allows our products to fit a wide range of sizes and will stretch as your arm bends and flexes. Wait – did we mention color? Our products are intended to match or accessorize your outfits, while still providing you with all the benefits of a medical device. They are the very best in form and function! Back To Top
7. How do I know what size to order for my LympheDIVAs™ fashions? We recommend that you consult with your physician, physical therapist or certified fitter to measure your hand and arm. You may also refer to our sizing chart and fitting video to assist you in determining your size. A proper fitting is essential for proper care! You may not fit into LympheDIVAs fashions, but have no fear, we are constantly researching and will be expanding to fit more sizes soon! Back To Top
8. Can I request a custom-made sleeve? At the moment LympheDIVAs™ LLC is not offering custom-made sleeves. However, we are listening to your concerns and recommend that you contact us. Any information we can gather from lovely LympheDIVAs™ from all over the world will help us create the finest products. Remember, we are LympheDIVAs making compression products for LympheDIVAs! Back To Top
9. I have lots of ideas on how to make my sleeve more comfortable. How do I share my ideas and suggestions for future LympheDIVAs™ products? We know that you LympheDIVAs™ out there have all sorts of ideas on how to improve the existing compression garments. We are constantly coming up with new ideas and we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Email us at info@lymphedivas.com and let us know what you’re thinking about. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can! Back To Top
10. Do I have to wear a gauntlet with my compression sleeve? The answer to this question will depend on the nature of your own condition. Currently, the National Lymphedema Network position paper on exercise recommends that you wear a gauntlet and sleeve during exercise if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema. Consult with your therapist or physician to determine how to best treat your lymphedema.Back To Top
11. How do I care for my LympheDIVAs™ garment?

Wash the sleeve every day of use, either by hand or machine in warm water using a gentle fabric detergent. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing during hand wash. Use a lingerie bag in machine. Do not wring dry. May be dried flat, drip dried, or machine dried at medium high heat. Do not iron. Do not dry clean. Do not use any chemical solvent or bleach. Do not use fabric softener or any other laundry additive. Frequent washing prolongs the useful life of the garment and main­tains the ideal compression characteristics.

Using creams, oils, and lotions will shorten the life of the garment.

With proper care, your LympheDIVAs™ armsleeve and gauntlet should last up to six months.

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12. How long will my LympheDIVAs™ garment last? All compression garments should be replaced after three to five months of regular daily wear. But with the options that LympheDIVAs™ offers you, you can have as many styles at a time as you like and go twice as long without the need to replace as garment. Back To Top
13. I found a loose thread at the wrist or in the cuff of my sleeve and I’m afraid the sleeve will run. What should I do? If you do find a loose thread, trim it and apply a small dab of clear nail polish, just as you would with pantyhose. If you notice a hole in your garment, call us and we will gladly provide a replacement garment. Back To Top
14. I hate it when people ask, “What happened to your arm?” Any suggestions on how to respond? If you have the time, tolerance, and vigor to explain lymphedema, then we suggest you do so. Educating others on lymphedema is important. We need to raise awareness and increase attention!! Divas are exceptional at gathering attention. However, if you are not in the mood, which we understand happens after one too many interrogations, here are a few statements, short and sweet (and humorous for you), to get you out of that situation real quick:
    • “Trapeze accident”
    • “Just saved a dog from a burning building. Got a little scratched up.”
    • “Climbed Mount Everest and got stung by a rare bee, which caused my arm to swell.”’
    • “It’s a religious statement, even Madonna is doing it.”’
    • “Yoga accident.’”
    • “Bad case of tennis elbow.”
    • “I’m glad you asked, this is my fake arm. A shark ate my real one while I was surfing in Hawaii. The fingers look so real, don’t they?”
    • “I am a professional air guitar player. I had a rough practice last night.”
    • “Newfound addiction to archery.”
    • “I just got a full arm tattoo which is healing.”
    • If, and ONLY if you are wearing a LympheDIVAs™ sleeve, you can truthfully say, “It’s fashion, baby!”

    *If you have any stories, statements, or sassy comebacks you would like to share, please email them to info@lymphedivas.com. Back To Top

15. Can I wear LympheDIVAs products if I do not have lymphedema or on my unaffected arm? Yes – LympheDIVAs™ sleeves are extremely fashionable and stylish! What’s more, compression apparel is known to improve performance – just take a look at Allen Iverson. By wearing LympheDIVAs™ products as a fashion accessory or performance enhancer, you help prove that the sleeve is more than just a medical device.  Back To Top
16. Can I find LympheDIVAs products in stores? Of course. LympheDIVAs™ products have a presence around the world and across the country click here to check out our retail locations in the US and Canada.  Email us to find other stores around the world. Also, look for us at breast cancer and lymphedema events,  where you will be able to try on and purchase our products. Back To Top
17. Are LympheDIVAs™ products covered by my health insurance? When you order online, we cannot process your insurance reimbursement. However, when you go to your local DME or breast care boutique that regularly works with insurance, your garment may be covered depending on your plan! Medicare and Medicaid do not cover any compression garments. Back To Top
18. I am a male with upper extremity lymphedema; can I wear your products? If you fit within our sizing chart, of course you can! Back To Top
19. How can I become a DIVA Dealer? Please contact LympheDIVAs™ at 1.866.411.DIVA (3482) or email sales@lymphedivas.com. LympheDIVAs™ work with therapists, breast care boutiques, fitters, and DME stores. DIVA Dealers are those locations that carry inventory of the product. Back To Top
20. Can LympheDIVAs create full-fingered gloves? LympheDIVAs™ products will be expanding in the future. Full-fingered gloves are very complicated to construct and because we are looking to improve on what is currently available, our research and development takes quite a bit of time. If you would like to request updates on the availability of a full-fingered glove, please email us at info@lymphedivas.com Back To Top
21. Can I mix and match sleeves and gauntlets? Of course! Part of being a DIVA is bringing your own flair to how you manage your lymphedema! Try as many combos as you like- if you find any that particularly strike your fancy be sure to let us know! Back To Top
22. Do LympheDIVAs™ garments come with a silicone border? LympheDIVAs™ garments come with something better – the DIVA Diamond Band© (Patent Pending), which we say offers you “bling and cling.” A latex-free, softer alternative to silicone which is printed directly on the sleeve and not applied to an elastic band and sewn in. The DIVA Diamond Band will keep your garment in place and your skin less irritated. Back To Top
23. I understand that LympheDIVAs™ products are fashionable, but how can I trust that they will safely manage my lymphedema? LympheDIVAs™ products are completely medically correct. Our garments are registered with and approved by the FDA. The graduated compression is tested using the most accurate equipment available. As long as you are wearing your appropriate size, LympheDIVAs garments are the premium product to manage your lymphedema. Back To Top
24. What classes of compression does LypheDIVAs™ offer and how is that compression defined? We currently offer Class 1 and Class 2 sleeves and gauntlets which have the highest pressures at the palm and wrist, the gauntlet is specially made to have no compression at the wrist to avoid double compression when it overlaps the end of the sleeve. Class 1 garments have between 20-30 mmHg pressure at the sleeve and palm and are about 5-10 mmHg at the arm cuff. Class 2 garments have between 30-40 mmHg pressure at the sleeve and palm and are about 5-10 mmHg at the arm cuff.
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25. What is the Diva Diamond Band? The Diva Diamond Band is a latex-free & silicone-free gripper on the top cuff of the sleeve. The purpose of the band is to help the sleeve stay up and to prevent rolling. All sleeves can be purchased with the Diva Diamond Band at no additional cost.
    

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