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Michael Y. Recipient

Need Heartmate II holster ideas

Since LVAD surgery, my shoulders can not take the added weight. A Consolidated Bag slung over my shoulder has re-injured a shoulder bone spur such that I have upcoming surgery for its removal. I am looking for suggestions to wear my batteries and controller using some type of holsters/belt, not dependent upon my shoulders. I've obtained the Modular Belt that is provided to wear around my waist, but have not had success with it. Am out of options. HELP!
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Jan G.

My husband uses the 5.11 Tactical Holster shirt from Amazon for his batteries and a regular belt for his controller. I read just recently, some uses Under Armour football compression shorts and uses the pad comparttment for batteries. I'll let my husband try this.
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leon B.

Mike: I've had my device for about two months. Having been a mountain guide, climbed extensively throughout the west and developed a very large outdoor program for youth and young adults, running about 300 trips annually, I found the waist band with three attachments an extremely poor application of all the new tech advances in backpack, fanny pack and lumbar pack design and construction currently available. I'm in the process of gathering items from suppliers that will produce a very comfortable, easy to to put on and take off waist support system. In the meantime, check out fanny packs, lumbar packs and smaller backpacks with frames attached to smaller backpacks. Simply plug in the name of the item on your computer, (e.g. fanny pack etc) and literally thousands of items will appear. The most important item of all will be the waist belt you select. It must have a significent amount of structural integrity. The waist strap on the one that comes with the device for example, has virtually none. It is far to flacid and certainly doesn't support the three items its supposed to support. Keep in mind, you are only going to carry under five pounds on this arrangement, but even then, for comfort, it must be evenly distributed around the belt and should not bend or twist and once the two batteries and the controller are positioned, it should not shift around your waist when you wear it for the day. If you want me to contact you when mine is completed, I'd be happy to send you photos and indicate where I purchased each of the components. The components will be taken off the internet so you and others wanting to create a comfortable waist band, can do so. I will also be including in my design, a light duty shoulder harness to relieve the the weight from the hips. Hope this helps!! Hope life goes well with you and your LVAD! Leon Berthiaume, Lakewood, Washington 98498
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Anonymous

My hubby has had LVAD II since 2012 - has back issues and cannot do carry bag and does not like holsters, etc. He had been utilizing cargo pants for his batteries since the beginning; wears system controller on his belt - he is a retired cop and used to waist belt with many items attached (firearms, holster, handcuffs, etc.) and uniform trousers with pockets for ticket books, etc. These have done him well and had just celebrated his 5th anniversary with LVAD. You do have to measure pockets width depth and length from waist, and finding them can be mildly problematic, but they are the best for him. Just a thought!
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Fred L.

I have found several alternatives to backpacks etc including a custom made-to-size vest thatI intend to order tomorrow after I have help getting all the measurements tonight. (see www.boscolvadvest.com) I saved lots of other shirts and things on my Pinterest board (www.pinterest.com/flimbach/l-Vader-help/) which might also be of interest to others here.
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Terry W.

I like the www.carewmedicalwear.com one. Fits nicely, holds everything secure, and has helped me gain my confidence back.
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Terry W.

I like the www.carewmedicalwear.com one. Fits nicely, holds everything secure, and has helped me gain my confidence back.