I need a new leg brace (grumble grumble)

[maxthecat43]

I know I shouldn't be complaining.  I really did bring this on myself, and in the end- everything will be okay- but...

I've lost a lot of weight recently, and my old leg brace just isn't working anymore.  They cut it down once, but can't do it again.  They're so blasted expensive, that I can only afford to replace it once- so when???  My weight loss has slowed down to about 1 to 1 1/2lbs a week.  I have no idea how long this phase will last, but in the meantime- I'm in danger of injuring myself in a leg brace that's too big!

Has anyone else had to have a brace altered more than once?  Can I pad it?  It's starting to cause pain in my ankle, and hip areas.  I can barely keep the darn thing on my leg at all.

I'm sorry to be complaining again...

Tammy

[Sailorsong]

Lulu,

   The last time I was in Walmart they had duct tape in various colors as well.

Dennis

[maxthecat43]

I never knew that Gorilla tape existed, but it sounds like a good idea.  We love the glue...  As for the other organizations:  I'm not sure we would qualify, but it doesn't hurt to ask...  Thanks!  Tammy

[Lulu54]

Tammy, another tape I find amazing and impossible to remove is Gorilla tape - it is similar to duct tape but is Black color.  It really will hold almost anything.  
Have you considered asking your NMSS chapter or MSAA or MSF for some financial help with the new brace?  Or even the brace supplier?  ~Laura

[maxthecat43]

Thanks Dennis.  I was wondering what type of adhesive we'd need to use...

Tammy

[Sailorsong]

Tammy,

  One point I should mention is that when the PT people tried putting padding in my brace they used double sided tape to secure it. This was to make sure it stayed in place and didn't cause rubbing problems while using the brace because of the p[adding shifting location.

Dennis

[maxthecat43]

My insurance will cover 80%, but the remaining 20% is still over $1000.  I finally got word back from my bariatric surgeon, and she thinks I will probably end up having to buy two new braces, before I'm finally at a stable weight.  Of course, I simply can't afford to do that.  So, if my OT guy can't pad it, my husband thinks that maybe putting that foam you can wrap pipes with may help.  If I can find some that will fit my leg, in the four places the brace goes around- that may work temporarily.