Wearing compression stockings in the parks? My DH is self-conscious.

[Wild Rider]

Look into buying 2 pair of zip off hiking pants. That way your husband can start of the day in pants and if the heat is to much, he can zip the legs off and they become shorts.
Depending on the fabric, they also dry quick. He can ride Kali River Rapids and be dry after riding Expedition Everest. The pockets typically have zippers or Velcro to help keep items from falling out.

Also, there are a lot of people that have health issues that are more obvious, that thanks to modern medican, can enjoy WDW. He will not be alone and will easily blend in with the crowd.

+1 on the convertible hiking pants--they can be very lightweight and comfortable. I agree that no one else would give the stockings a second thought, but I also know that if it were me, I would feel self-conscious, too.

 

[Hoosier37]

Great thought about the lightweight pants - honestly he has always been self-conscious about wearing shorts. He doesn't wear them much and then feels like his white legs would blind everyone if he wore them So now it just adds to his discomfort that he has to wear the compression stockings.

I don't know why I didn't think of the zip off pants too. I think that is a great solution.

And while I love the Mickey head idea, my husband is too much of an introvert to ever do anything to draw attention to himself. I am that way myself - we always said we should wear labels on our shirts that said "Caution - introvert" but we are too introverted to wear them .

So rather than have him feel self-conscious, we'll get him some nice pants assuming he still has to wear socks, and then he'll have that as an option.

Thanks I love the DIS.

 

[hops&dreams]

I think that no matter what, your husband wears, it'll be fine. Sure, you see people on vacation looking all sorts of funky wearing God knows what, but it's not like you actually walk up to them and say "*** are you wearing???" you know? But if he is self conscious about it, he may feel better in pants. I understand this feeling all too well because my DH has psoriasis. He wears jeans no matter the weather (he has sores in large spots on his legs, torso, and parts of his arms.) and wears mostly long sleeved shirts with the sleeves rolled up to 3/4 length. Summer, winter, baseball game, on vacation... whatever. Sometimes people might make a comment, especially at a baseball game in July, when DH is wearing jeans, socks and leather shoes, a long sleeved button down shirt with the sleeves rolled to 3/4, but we have yet to encounter an outright rude comment.

In dealing with all that, I've learned, for us, is that if DH is comfortable, then it mkaes him happy. If it will make your DH uncomfortable that other people might be staring at him, then no matter what you say or do will make him more comfortable with that. HE needs to make peace with it, you know?

If he'd like to try something other than the nude colored medical looking compression socks, try to get him some running ones. He can wear them and people will assume he's a runner recovering from a longer race. Brands that come to mind are Zensah, CEP, then nike, Under armor, etc.

Here's where I read about them for runners:
http://skinnyrunner.com/2010/11/16/you-askedi-answered-all-stars-compression/

(she has another post about a different brand and a discount on them http://skinnyrunner.com/2012/02/27/compression-gear-on-sale-and-free/)

I would do come checking first though, to make sure that the ones designed for runners are comparable to the ones used for medical reasons. I know that in a pinch, runners will wear the ones from a drugstore, but I'm not sure if there would be any difference if someone who's using them medically should wear the ones designed for runners. ???

He would really fit in during a marathon weekend!!!

Oh, and the running ones... they are usually sweat wicking too, which would even be more comfortable under pants, if he wears pants.

 

[cannmom]

I don't think anyone will give him a second look. If he is really worried about it maybe you could get him some lightweight khakis. They would be cooler than jeans.

 

[rwdavis2]

Have him try this. Wear them under a pair of knee high tube socks and wear some Addidas tennis shoes, short gym shorts, t-shirt, and a head band. He'll just look 70's retro.

 

[LucyBC80]

I guess 99% of people in the park could care less about a man's leg, I don't believe most of us look at someone's leg to see what she/he is wearing. BUT... there's always that 1% that lives to comment on what others do/wear/speak/do. They are not content to just enjoy the parks, they need to gossip about every aspect of what's happening around them. Sad but true. Having said that, while they might look and comment, I don't think they'd comment loud enough for him hear.

Go and have an awesome time, you guys earned it!

 

[pickles]

we have all seen a lot worse or funnier..that said..really, he will never see these people again, so their opinion is totally of no concern.

In his mind, he is aware of it, far more than strangers will be

 

[SilverMickey]

3 out of 4 of us wear CROCS! I hope he doesn't worry about the stockings! We wear CROCS by choice not medical need, might I add CROCS with SOCKS!

 

[wuzzy6]

Crocs with socks beat out compression stockings without question.

Seriously, very few people will even notice, and those who do notice will very likely NOT say anything at all about it. Most people are going to be there to have a wonderful time and not be paying any attention to your DH's legs.

Thank goodness we have the technology to combat so many illnesses and conditions. I'm really glad your DH is doing well - tell him the DISers said to ROCK THOSE SOCKS!!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Compression stockings will save his life. Who cares? Wear "guy" socks over the compression stockings. I won't make fun of you if you don't make fun of me!

Age has nothing to do with it. Please wear them. You do need them.

 

[sazzlynn]

My husband was diagnosed with a DVT last summer, and things are going fine now. However, he really needs to wear knee-high compression stockings or his legs swell and ache. His vascular surgeon and hematologist both told him to plan on wearing compression stockings on at least the DVT leg for the rest of his life.

DH is 41. We are planning on going to WDW again next June. He is embarrassed to wear shorts because of the compression stockings. Please tell me that NO ONE is going to laugh or make fun of him because he has a medical need to wear the stockings on his legs while walking through the parks. I have told him that no one will care, but he seems to think we will spend every day in the parks surrounded by jeering crowds pointing at his legs. I don't want him to swelter in jeans every day in June because he is so self-conscious about the stockings.

Today he said "Maybe you can check on that Disney forum you're always one, see what they think about it." So, would you guys laugh at a nice nerdy 41 year old man with knee high nude compression stockings on his legs at Disney World?

I'm so sorry he's worried about this, I know that people can be rude and make us self-conscious, but in Disney most wouldn't even notice this. Honestly, if I noticed, it might be to think what a good idea. =) Please encourage him that no one will look or think about this and you both should go and have a wonderful time.

 

[melissafox18]

Definitely tell him not to worry about it! I think so many people are aware what they are and that it's not a fashion statement it's for medical purposes.

I'll be working one long compression sock (from toe to thigh) on one of my legs when we go and I couldn't care less. It's a post surgical deal to keep swelling down in my knee and leg. I'd rather be comfortable and doing what my body needs than caring about fashion!

 

[kldownunder]

As others have said, wear the socks...no one is paying any attention to what you (the general you) are wearing.

As a miracle survivor of massive pulmonary embolisms in both lungs I say wear the socks and don't give it another thought. Life is too short to worry about what we look like while enjoying the magic of Disney World.

 

[Chelley00]

I also have a clothing disorder (my guess is its the same as your husband) Im younger than he is. I would wear mine in a heartbeat to the parks if that's the only way I could go, and people can point all they want. I'd rather go safely and wear shorts over them then to be stuck in jeans or pants because people might look at me. Those socks can be hot! Honesty I never notice people wearing them unless they are the white ones!

For those suggesting sports type compression stuff, please be aware that things like UnderArmour and the like are not medical grade and not usually recommended for people with DVTs.

 

[gk90]

Look into buying 2 pair of zip off hiking pants. That way your husband can start of the day in pants and if the heat is to much, he can zip the legs off and they become shorts.
Depending on the fabric, they also dry quick. He can ride Kali River Rapids and be dry after riding Expedition Everest. The pockets typically have zippers or Velcro to help keep items from falling out.

Also, there are a lot of people that have health issues that are more obvious, that thanks to modern medican, can enjoy WDW. He will not be alone and will easily blend in with the crowd.

DH has a pair of these zip off pants. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/3034-inseam-guide-gear-zip-off-pants.aspx?a=949201
They're cool, lightweight and dry really fast.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[LaurenT]

Tell him that we are sure no one will laugh. Agree with him that if even one person laughs (not going to happen), he can take the stocking off and rent a scooter....people still won't laugh, they'll just roll their eyes and sigh.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I won't laugh, I will be jealous that your DH's legs feel so good while mine are feeling tired

 

[HalloweenNut]

I'm male, 45 and have poor circulation in my legs. I've been wearing the knee high compression socks pretty much every day for the last 10-12 years at least. I do sometimes in the summer go without and wear shorts for a day or so with nothing more than some very minor swelling but I don't do it often. It certainly is way more comfortable in warm weather that's for sure. We'll be in Disney this April and my plan will be to wear shorts without the compression socks during the day but put them on in the evening and while I'm sleeping. I'll have to monitor how it's going and if it looks like I'm going to have trouble I'll switch without hesitation to wearing them during the day with either shorts or lightweight pants. It might be that my condition isn't the same as your husband's so only he can judge what is right for him. I've also lived with it for much longer so I have a better sense of what I can and can't get away with. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Last year, I walked behind a woman with a very large rear who was wearing gold lame booty shorts (and obviously nothing under them). We saw every dimple. Compression stockings wouldn't even be a blip on the radar.

 

[cyndik1111]

Last year, I walked behind a woman with a very large rear who was wearing gold lame booty shorts (and obviously nothing under them). We saw every simple. Compression stockings wouldn't even be a blip on the radar.

Did you get a picture? No, that would be mean. But did you?