(As a woman) how do you wear your insulin pump?

Question

I am thinking about getting an insulin pump, I'm about 50/50. My one big question though is how am I going to go through daily life with it. I feel like if I was younger, older or male I would not be facing the dilemma of "can you see my pump under my fitted t-shirt?" : P I know that you can clip it multiple places on your clothing, but then that brings up where to clip and what about things like dresses. I realize this worrying is petty, my health vs. how I look, but unless I'm comfortable, I'm just sticking to my Lantus (literally).

Answer 1

Get the pump! Good gracious, get the pump woman. I'm 19, so the fitted t-shirt comment rings a bell. I wear mine on my belt, and I get people, usually daily, asking me if it's a mp3 player. I have had some interesting between the cups occasions (graduation, a wedding). When I'm wearing a dress, I usually leave it in my purse, and use it when I eat, just like a normal shot.

I was worried before getting the pump about the fact that its always attached to me. I was afraid that I would rip it out while I was sleeping. As far as thats concerned, the pump is very easily removable. If it does get ripped out (it's happened to me once, in 4 years, while swing dancing) it feels like a bandaid got ripped off. One thing I didn't know is that the needle doesn't actually stay in. It's exactly like an IV, and all that's left is a tube. My A1C went down 2 points, I lost weight, and it doesn't hurt everytime I eat anymore. Please get the pump, for your kidneys, lol.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I am a woman and have been wearing a pump for over 4 years now. I have a belt type of thing that connects with velcro (which does need to be cleaned often) that has a pouch to hold the pump in, which really comes in handy at night while sleeping. You can put it in a pocket, in your bra (as others have suggested), clip it onto your waistband, etc. As for wearing dresses, the pump company will have something for you to wear it under a dress, and if you are handy with sewing you can make a pocket inside your dresses for it. I don't wear dresses, only skirts or pants, so I don't have to worry about this.

Yes, you should be thinking more of your health versus your looks, but believe me, the pump looks more like a pager. No one else will know what it is, unless they wear one themselves. People will only know what it is if you show and tell. Once I let people know what it is and show it to them, they are interested and ask all kinds of questions about it. Otherwise, they don't know what it is and think it's a pager or phone. The one I have now (Animas IR 1250) has tunes instead of loud beeps to warn you of things, which definitely makes it sound more like a phone. And it is pretty small!

Good luck on your decision of getting a pump. I would recommend this to anyone who takes insulin. The benefits totally outweigh the looks part of it.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I've been on my pump for years, to tell you how long I had one of the first pumps to come out. So they have come a long way. I use to use Lantus and let me tell you something I love my pump more than anything. I'm 22 and I know that if it wasn't for my pump I wouldn't be alive today. I mostly wear my pump on my side. There are a few belt clips to choose from. But from time to time I like to wear it where no one can see it. So I clip it to my bra (between my breats) even with a fitted shirt no one can tell I have my pump on. They always ask where it is. As for dresses, depending on what kind of dress you wear will depend on where you clip your pump..(reminder: they make a special holder that wraps around your thigh)
I hope this helps you make ur mind up. I really hope you buy a pump.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I'm a pump user and in most cases I just clip it to my waste band. In situations like dresses you have several options. There are thigh belts that work well. Some women...although I've never done it...just slip it between the girls up top. ;-) but they also make bra pouches. Another option, depending on how fitted the dress is, is a thin belt worn under the dress. Most of the pumps are quite thin, easily concealed and comfortable. Most of the time you can't tell I'm wearing it. There's also a newer pump called the Omnipod that doesn't have tubing. It's not available in all states yet, but you might check into them. I believe the address Omnipod.com
Oh...and don't let the name fool ya, I am definitely female. :-)

Answer 8

I either wear my insulin pump in my pocket (if I have one on my pants) or in my bra. The bra works well when you are wearing dresses and such, you can't tell, I put it right in the center facing flat. Of course if you are pretty flat chested, it won't work as well. If you spend a lot of time in a bathing suit, it's pretty difficult to hide it in that, though I did make a contraption with Velcro and elastic that worked pretty well. You can always be on the pump, and if there is a certain occasion where you need to wear something that just won't hide your pump, you can always go back on lantus for 24 hours for your basal rate.

Answer 9

I think you should wear your pump in one of the thigh strapped gun holsters. Or a gun holster in any number of places around a chick's body.

Gun holsters on a woman look sexy in general; having an insulin pump instead of a gun inside one is perfectly legal. If you don't use a pump, you can keep your syringes, insulin vials, bg monitor, and sugar inside a holster also, man or woman. Most holsters have covers that button over the top.

Many gun holsters are designed to be well concealed for a woman without creating an additional lump under the clothing. You should check them out.

Answer 10

I am also a female pump wearer, and I see most people already told you where to wear it so I am going to tell you, that if you struggle at all with your levels, get the pump! I have been struggling for 5 years and 1 year ago I went on the pump and it changed my life.. Is it always convenient to wear ? No Is it always comfortable to have it hanging off you ? No Do you get frustrated sometimes and think why do I have to do this? Yes Do you want to live a full life even tho you were one of the unlucky ones to get this horrible disease?? Heck yes. So don't worry about what its going to look like, think about what your going to look like at 70 when you outlive your disease. I know Im gonna try!! Good luck and god bless