Wearing my LVAD

Hi I just wanted to let you know that my husband just wears one of those soft stretchy belt around his chest and the batteries hooked in. No one ever even knows he even has an L vad on He does not like to wear the vest as they were to re-straining The controller just fits in his front pocket of his jeans

Hi I just wanted to let you know that my husband just wears one of those soft stretchy belt around his chest and the batteries hooked in. No one ever even knows he even has an L vad on He does not like to wear the vest as they were to re-straining The controller just fits in his front pocket of his jeans

My husband's favorite so far is a "concealed carry" shirt. It fits snugly and has some padding on the pockets, so it is quite comfortable.

I wear a controlled weapon shirt found at Scheels. It holds my batteries and my wife sewed on a front pocket pouch for controller. Love it and wear any shirt or sweater or sweatshirt over it

How do you feel since getting the lvad? I am current in the hospital waiting my surgery is Wednesday.

I've had a heartware for almost two years and use both the belt with a shoulder strap (always make sure you have a "second" support just as you have multiple back-ups of power ... I took my shoulder strap off once and the belt started to slip down - not much hips left these days - and only diverted the disaster of a pulled power line with a quick gab of the belt) and the satchel with a shoulder strap and belt. I tend to use the belt the most though, as I find the satchel tends to pull unevenly on one side of my body and becomes uncomfortable after extended us. In fact, I was so happy when three days after surgery, they finally brought me the belt. I put it on and had a lot easier time trying to walk with it as opposed to the satchel. I only use the satchel when I get tired of the belt, can't get comfortable in bed, or during more intimate moments with my wife. I stayed away from the vest because I found them either too hot over other clothing and little uncomfortable. Although, I likely would have tried them more if I hadn't found that wearing suit jacket, which I do several times a week, effectively keeps the belt and batteries out of site until you are right up to someone. It took a little while to get used to the batteries and controller being visible and I had to be careful not to catch the wires on doorknobs and watch off for paperclips that are attracted to the magnetic snaps, but it becomes second-nature rather quickly and most people either ask it or know me and have heard the story by now. I am the point where it is just part of life. I do know people, however, who swear by the vests and, as one other person indicated, the concealed weapon holsters or vests. I think it is a matter of your personal comfort. Mine is with the belt and shoulder strap.

I think my favorite at this time is the Heartmate II T shirt available on Etsy for $80 plus shipping. The pattern that Patsy sent out a month or two ago also works well, but is a lot warmer than I would like for someone living in Naples, FL.

Unfortunately there are not nearly as many clothing options for the Heartware compared to the Heartmate. Cables are too short to do much with. If you’re on Facebook, try LVAD Friends or LVAD Warriors for some recommendations.

I´ve had a Heartmate II for 2 1/2 years now. The first year was really very difficult with several episodes of intestinal bleeding. From 2017 on I am doing well. Normally, I do not use the bag that came with the device, but a kind of photographer´s vest with internal pockets to hold the batteries and the belt for the controller. It is not aesthetically very nice, as you seem to have a strange thing in your belly, what is indeed the case, but it works okay to disguise the device.

At www.lvadgear.com you will find shirts, vests, backpacks and more for both Heartmate and HeartWare LVAD's. All designed just for LVAD's.

Cargo pants work well with me and get the unit off my upper body. Put a couple of small key rings though the controller. hang some carabineers off of those and can use a single strap or loop it into my belt or a belt loop. Bill

Hello, I've had an LVAD since April 2013. I can recommend the Bosco LVAD Vest. when I wear it sometimes I forget I have it on as it balances the weight nicely. Check out http://www.boscolvadvest.com/, Cindy has made several for me over the last five years. Good luck to you.

My husband has the heartmate 2. The solution that worked the best for him is to put his equipment into a backpack. We started by getting the kind that has a mesh side pocket that is intended for water bottles. The controller goes into the mesh pocket and his batteries and any backup equipment we choose to carry goes into the backpack. The concealed handgun shirts didn't work for us down in hot Houston Texas. He also takes his saddlebag and attaches it to his belt sometimes. If you want see what it looks like, look us up on our Facebook page. @MarionTheMiracleMan

Have look at heartmate shirt. Cheaper than other that was mentioned but very comfortable.