CLINICAL BENEFITS
The clinical benefits
of compression therapy
FeelWell offers a range of garments designed to support the needs of overweight or obese patients. Our garments can help improve mobility, promote physical fitness to encourage weight loss, improve body image, and provide postsurgical support. Our ongoing clinical study is being done by Dr. Rubino from the Washington Center for Weight Management and Research.
FeelWell Compression garments help overweight and obese patients perform exercise more comfortably
For patients who are considered obese (BMI ≥30), exercise is an important part of a weight loss program. Increased physical activity.
- Reduces overall coronary heart disease (CHD) risk
- Reduces risk of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- Reduces risk of diabetes
- Improves cardiorespiratory fitness
- Improves mood, self-esteem, and physical function in daily activities
Exercise performance and recovery can also be improved when patients use a compression garment.
- Compression improves blood flow to the muscles, improving recovery after exercise
- Compression can ameliorate muscle damage caused by exercise and reduce post-exercise soreness
- Oxygen utilization, pulse oxygen and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations are improved by compression, resulting in a decreased heart rate and improved venous blood flow
- Whole body compression garments can change oxygenation responses to lower limb muscles, which may minimize fatigue
FeelWell Compression offers exercise garments for plus-sized patients
Because our compression garments are custom-made and properly fitted, overweight and obese patients are more comfortable performing exercise due to improved mobility. FeelWell is the only compression garment manufacturer offering garments specifically made for swimming, which, along with walking, is recommended by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for overweight or obese patients initiating an exercise regimen.
- Aquatic exercise may improve pain, physical functioning, and quality of life
By increasing comfort and mobility, our compression garments promote weight loss by enabling wearers to perform more exercise.
In a clinical study (N=59), patients wearing FeelWell compression garments lost more weight and circumference than those not wearing the garment.
Help your patients live a healthier lifestyle. Recommend a FeelWell Compression exercise garment to your patients.
Excess skin is uncomfortable, embarrassing, and can reduce satisfaction with bariatric surgery outcomes
Following rapid and massive weight loss, such as that occurring after bariatric surgery, the sudden change in BMI can result in skin and soft tissue becoming redundant with a poor tone. Loose skin, skin envelopes, and fat deposits typically occur in the upper arms, thighs, and abdomen.
Complications of excess skin, include:
- Infections
- Dermatitis
- Ulcerations
- Abdominal and back pain
- Difficulties with personal hygiene
- Challenges with wound healing and wound care
More than 70% of patients who have had bariatric surgery expressed dissatisfaction with their outcome due to the negative consequences of flabby skin or pendulous breasts.Excess skin occurs in more than 90% of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.
More than 70% of patients who have had bariatric surgery expressed dissatisfaction with their outcome due to the negative consequences of flabby skin or pendulous breasts.
Although body contouring surgery can resolve many of these issues, fewer than 25% of patients undergo such surgery due to cost and lack of insurance coverage.
Furthermore, >60% of post bariatric surgery patients reported mobility limitations when practicing physical activity or sports. Baillot, et al reported that >46% of women with excess skin in a pilot study (N=26) avoided physical activity or sports primarily due to skin flapping or people staring
Beyond the medical and physical challenges of excess skin, post-bariatric surgery patients are often dissatisfied and embarrassed about their body image.
In a study by Kinzl, et al, 160 post-surgical patients were surveyed about the extent of and satisfaction of their weight loss, quality of life, and consequences of weight loss (mean follow-up 21 months, range 8-48 months). While most patients were satisfied with the extent of their weight loss, 70% stated that they suffered from negative consequences, including flabby skin (53%), an abdominal flap (47%), and pendulous breasts (42%).
Excess skin is often associated with a reduction in health-related quality of life.
- Excess abdominal skin was related to the presence of depressive symptoms in a cross-sectional study of 61 women who had undergone bariatric surgery
- Furthermore, a survey of 252 post-bariatric surgery patients reported that >65% of patients had difficulty finding appropriately fitting clothing following weight loss
The vast majority of bariatric surgery patients desire body contouring surgery, but <25% undergo such surgery.
Cost limitations on third-party reimbursement remain a significant barrier to body contouring surgery.
- Third party payers typically offer only limited coverage because most body contouring is considered cosmetic rather than reconstructive
- Without medical coverage, most patients cannot afford to pay for body contouring surgery out of pocket
When body contouring surgery isn’t the answer, recommend FeelWell Compression
A custom-made compression garment can be a great alternative for patients unable to have body contouring surgery.
Our garments gently press distended skin back to the body, improving overall mobility, which may encourage more exercise and further promote weight loss after surgery. Because our garments are custom fitted by a FeelWell Fitting Specialist™, even patients with a high BMI are sure to get a garment that is comfortable for them.
The right sized compression garment can also help improve self-esteem and perception of body image.
FeelWell Compression garments are more affordable and accessible than body contouring surgery.
Help patients get the most out of their bariatric surgery. Recommend FeelWell Compression for your patients post bariatric surgery.
Help your patients combat the physical and cardiovascular effects of obesity
Overweight and obesity increases risk of physical disability and reduces cardiovascular fitness.
Women have a 2.8-fold higher risk and men have a 1.6-fold higher risk of incident mobility limitation in late adulthood if they were overweight or obese at ages 25, 50, or 70-79 years.
Overweight and obesity can lead to joint wear and tear, reduced exercise capacity, and a higher rate of chronic diseases (eg, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis).
When people become overweight or obese in young or middle adulthood, the longer duration of excess body weight contributes to greater declines in physical function, decreased muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, and an earlier onset of chronic disease.
People with a higher body mass index have higher risks of several types of cardiovascular disease (CVD).b
Incident heart failure rates across CVD subtypes in severely obese people (BMI ≥35)
Help your patients combat the physical and cardiovascular effects of obesity
FeelWell Compression garments can improve mobility, encouraging exercise in plus-sized patients. With our wide range of garments, patients can feel confident and comfortable performing a variety of exercises, including swimming.
FeelWell is the only compression garment manufacturer offering garments specifically made for swimming.
By increasing comfort and mobility, our compression garments enable wearers to perform more exercise to accelerate weight loss and improve overall health.
The FeelWell difference
- Abdominal weight is supported by the garment, improving posture and reducing lower back pain
- Optimized level of compression in each body part
Offer your patients a more comfortable way to get active and lose weight. Recommend FeelWell Compression to your patients today.
Obesity has a significant impact on musculoskeletal health
Mechanical stress on the joints and tissues is exacerbated by excessive weight, causing both physical limitations and pain. As a result, pain and weight-related physical discomfort reduces a person’s ability and/or desire to exercise.
Pain symptoms increase with progressively higher BMI values.
Pain in the neck, lower back, and lower limbs is common in obese patients.
A number of studies demonstrate that obesity is related to the presence, progression, and severity of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, obesity may be a leading factor for needing surgical intervention for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Morbidly obese patients experience a >32X higher relative risk of having a total hip replacement and >8.5X higher relative risk of having a total knee replacement compared with non-obese people.
Encourage weight loss to reduce musckuloskeletal pain with FeelWell Compression
Mechanical loading and structural damage to joints and tissues can be ameliorated by reducing body weight, yet many overweight or obese people find exercising to be uncomfortable.
FeelWell Compression garments are designed to improve mobility, making exercise and physical activity more enjoyable, thereby increasing compliance with the exercise program and potentially accelerating weight loss.
For patients with pain, nonimpact exercises (eg, aquatic treadmill, cycle or pool exercise classes, elliptical machines) may be more comfortable to perform. Our swim and physical activity compression garments are ideal for patients desiring to perform these types of activities.
To reduce pain in patients who are overweight or obese, recommend FeelWell Compression physical activity and swim garments.
For obese patients, hernia is a common occurrence and surgical repair can be risky
Obesity is a risk factor for the occurrence and recurrence of abdominal wall herniation. Abdominal hernias require surgical repair; however, patients with high BMI (≥30) are significantly more likely to have complications after hernia surgery, and the risk of complications increases with increasing BMI. ates across CVD subtypes in severely obese people (BMI ≥35)
Repair of incisional and ventral hernia in patients with BMI ≥35 are associated with:
- High mortality rates (~20%)
- Increased operative time
- Increased length of hospital stay
Rick of recurrent surgical hernia repair is also greater in patients with high BMI.
Certain patients may be ineligible or unwilling to repair a hernia using surgery. For these patients, the American College of Surgeons recommends compression treatment using trusses or belts. {ACS, Ventral Hernia, 2017} When used correctly, part or complete control of the hernia can be achieved, yet many patients find these compression garments to be uncomfortable.
Now there’s a comfortable, nonsurgical way to support patients with hernia
FeelWell Compression offers a number of compression garments specifically designed for use in patients with hernia. Our compression garments mimic the anatomy of the abdominal wall to provide the support patients need.
For a plus-sized person with complex morphology, FeelWell Compression’s custom-made garments offer both the support and comfort needed for hernia control.
Choose FeelWell Compression for your patients with hernia.
Become an exclusive FeelWell Compression partner
As a weight loss professional, you can become an exclusive supplier of our garments and accessories. FeelWell will provide you with a comprehensive service to train your staff. We can also provide our service directly at your office for the convenience of your patients.
There are no fees, inventory, or contractual commitments required.
Contact us to join
You want your patients to succeed in their weight loss surgery. Give them the best support with FeelWell Compression.
- 202-816-0811
- contact@feelwellusa.com
