Question:
If your legs are actually too large

for the compression stockings what do they use instead? I know that I will receive heprin(?) but they also use the stockings. My legs are huge and I'm not so sure that the stockings will fit.    — Sharon R. (posted on June 1, 2001)

May 31, 2001
Hi Sharon Not all hospitals use the stockings. The hospital I was in used inflatable cuffs that fastened around your legs with velcro. A pump was turned on and the cuffs inflated and deflated. They felt really good and I didn't have to worry about stuffing huge calves into tight stockings. They were taken off when I walked or went to the bathroom.
   — kaydeeb16

May 31, 2001
At the hospital, they used ACE wraps on my legs because the stockings were a "no go." At home I had the machine with the pump and the sleeves for my lymphedema but that was not advised to me at that time. Good Luck ! Diane C.
   — Diane C.

May 31, 2001
They used something that wrapped around my feet that inflated on and off constantly.
   — Danmark

May 31, 2001
I'm just 11 days post-op; my starting weight was 375lbs. I had what Kandy had too. Mine were blue, canvas cuffs that opened up completely to wrap around the leg & attached with velcro. The cuff I had was only for my calves though (I thought it was going to be for the whole leg). Each cuff plugged into a box that powered it, so the cuffs had to come off when I needed to go to the bathroom or walk around. It was alittle frustrating that I had to get the nurse to take off & put on the cuffs because I couldn't bend with my sore incision and there were times I wish she had put them on alittle tighter. I really liked the massaging those cuffs gave me. I also got the heparin shots too. Anyway, I can't imagine having to squeeze into stockings. I hope you get the cuffs like I had. Maybe you can check with the hospital to see what they use?
   — lalasmommy

June 11, 2001
They used the ace bandages on me too.
   — Tracy C.

September 16, 2003
Jobst has sizes for the morbid obsese as of at least 2002. My calf size is 21". I have used them since 2002 to reduce the fluid retention (edema?)in my lower legs. I will take them to the hospital with me.
   — syekick