Dresses & Insulin Pumps

Imagine a perfect night out: It’s time to get ready your friends’ wedding. You already have a pair of very cute, and comfortable shoes. You hair is curled and the headband you bought has that perfect touch of ‘glam’ you were looking for.

And then there is the dress. It’s just what you were looking for, and your date matches perfectly. But, where in the world do you put your insulin pump?!? We definitely don’t want to be showing that off…

In a perfect world, I would simply not wear my insulin pump. In a much more realistic world, not wearing my insulin pump  would throw my blood sugars into a downhill spiral. Plus, it’s a wedding! How could I pass up the hor’dourves, the cocktails and a great free meal?! I knew I’d have to wear my insulin pump, but I just needed to discover a way to hide it, and avoid all the awkward people starring at me or asking questions.

My favorite ‘go-to’ for hiding my CGM sensor is the side-boob. Click here to see a picture of where I am describing. I feel like it’s always easily tucked away in my bra, a place where people don’t typically stare, and if it does show a little bit, I can cover it with my arm! This also works great with my OmniPod Insulin pump because luckily for me, it doesn’t have any wires!

If your pump does have wires, you may want to read Rowena’s post instead. Or you could find some resourceful information on Rachel’s post here or here.

For this particular dress, I ended up wearing my pump on my back, just below my bra. It may have been slightly noticeable, but at least it was on my back. In photos, you’d have no idea I was wearing an insulin pump, or had something strange attached to my body.

Another big concern I have with fancy events: bringing along my meter and CGM receiver. For fancy events, every girl likes a small, very cute clutch. Being a T1D, I have never been able to get away with buying one. My meter and supplies would never be able to fit! I have to use a small purse, or leave things behind (which I refuse to do!) Even with a small purse, I sometimes need to take my meter, finger pricker, insulin, needles and test strips out of the normal case to fit it all.

I asked my husband to hold my CGM in his pocket, but it was harder for him to hear it make noise or feel it vibrate because of the circumstances. Later in the night, I decided to stick the CGM in my bra. That way I could feel it vibrate and I could avoid a high or a low. Plus, after a few drinks, insulin shots, dancing and a bunch of food, who knew where my blood sugar would end up!