FAQs
Most frequent questions and answers
TPUC is for all diabetic patients that have to wear an insulin pump 24-7 (Usually Type 1 Diabetics) and is the first pocket underwear that has been built for any medical device but also to accommodate specifically all insulin pumps that are currently on the market.
TPUC is short for The Pocket Underwear Company (TPUC) LLC.
The Pocket Underwear Company (TPUC) main goal is to design underwear with internal pockets to accommodate a specific medical device also known as an insulin pump. In addition, help to support the development of a healthy pancreas by wearing a pump in one’s own privacy.
TPUC was discovered by Dr. Dionna Hancock-Johnson, who is a wife and mom first but happens to also be a Psychologist, an author, motivational speaker and celebrity life coach. While adjusting to the news of her daughter’s diagnosis and their new way of life, Dr. Dionna spent months researching and studying what was available and not available on the market as other options for her daughter to wear her pump. She soon realized there was NOTHING out there and found there was an immediate need for something other than the SPIbelt, it had to be, so she thought as other options for those who were insulin bound 24-7. She felt if her daughter needed this, there must be other moms and kids who felt the same way. That is when she eventually discovered TPUC.
To build self-esteem in diabetic patients who have felt ashamed of wearing their pump in public. I know this experience has been awkward and awful for my daughter because people tend to ask embarrassing questions about her SPIbelt…assuming it was a fanny pack…which is very common for those who are not familiar with Diabetes but this would happen all the time when we are in public so it was my pleasure to create something that can accommodates the insulin pump on the inside of the clothes to avoid having to answer unwanted questions about one’s diabetes or SPIbelt until one is ready.
Yes, The Pocket Underwear Company (TPUC) has been trademarked and patented. TPUC serves as the first underwear company built to hold a specific medical device for all diabetic patients, starting from infants as young as 5 months to adult years. That medical device is called an insulin pump used by diabetic patients who are currently using pump therapy to produce insulin for their body. All patents, trademarks, service marks and trade and patent names of The Pocket Underwear Company (TPUC) used on the site are trademarks or registered trademarks of TPUC specifically. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
It is more than just a pocket inside of an underwear, it is giving you your life back before you were diagnosed, making you feel that confidence you once had before life was sucked out of you when you first got the news. TPUC is not just about a pair of cotton underwear’s on your butt but more something that makes you feel good inside and out, literally with still being able to wear your pump in comfort, confidence and in peace. TPUC will help you gain back that momentum and that privacy you once had that before everyone looked at your diagnosis as a disability, before anyone knew, and they treated you normal. Trust me, I get it, I felt it for my own daughter!!!
Variety of colors, styles, materials, patterns and inspirational words/logos (i.e. beautiful, love, happy, strong, courageous, fun) adorned in various locations of the underwear.
Future Limited styles will offer birthday logos and the seven days of the week.
Velcro and Thread colors will vary but match all pocket and underwear pocket colors to a TEE.
In the future TPUC will offer pocket underwear to Teens and Adults, sizes 11 and up.
TPUC will offer pocket underwear for Teens and Adults (Girls/Boys and Female/Males) in Summer 2021 but you can pre-order as early as April 2021. Check back on the website for that link and announcement.
Future Limited styles will offer birthday logos and the seven days of the week.
Velcro and Thread colors will vary but match all pocket and underwear pocket colors to a TEE.
TPUC underwear will all be 100% cotton with a combination of either 5% stretch/spandex/jersey knit. TPUC assures your underwear will feel soft and fit true to size.
FRONT of Underwear OUTSIDE Pocket will include either Front Flap or Front Slide In with Velcro (this pocket can also be in the center, right or left side of the underwear)
FRONT of Underwear INSIDE Pocket will include either Front Flap or Front Slide In with Velcro (this pocket can also be in the center, right or left side of the underwear)
Back of Underwear OUTSIDE Pocket will include either Front Flap or Front Slide In with Velcro
Back of Underwear INSIDE Pocket will include either Flap or Slide In with Velcro
INSIDE Side to Side Pocket will include either Flap or Slide In with Velcro or Zipper
OUTSIDE Side to Side Pocket will include either Flap or Slide In with Velcro or Zipper
TOTAL WRAP AROUND POCKET with a zipper to accommodate long term insulin patients who are use to wearing the wrap around spy belt and want something similar to that design.
Some pockets will be also removable for various use on some special made to pre-order underwear.
Future Limited styles will offer birthday logos and the seven days of the week.
Velcro and Thread colors will vary but match all pocket and underwear pocket colors to a TEE.
- Tandem T Slim o
- Medtronic Minimed 530 G
- Medtronic Minimed 630 G
- Roche – Accu Chek Combo
- Animas Vibe
- Accu-Chek Aviva Insight Insulin Pump
- my life YpsoPump The intuitive insulin pump system
- These are the Different Pump Styles TPUC currently but there may be older pumps that customers are still wearing that are no longer on the market and would love to accommodate you as well, so please send us an email directly or contact us Here.
According to JDRF (2020) Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that controls blood-sugar levels. T1D develops when the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells are mistakenly destroyed by the body’s immune system. The cause of this attack is still being researched, however scientists believe the cause may have genetic and environmental components. If you like to know more about Type 1 Diabetes from JDRF, please visit them HERE (https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/facts/)
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake) that stops your body from making insulin. Approximately 5-10% of the people who have diabetes have type 1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes often develop quickly. It’s usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes.
FRONT of Underwear INSIDE Pocket will include either Front Flap or Front Slide In with Velcro (this pocket can also be in the center, right or left side of the underwear)
Back of Underwear OUTSIDE Pocket will include either Front Flap or Front Slide In with Velcro
Back of Underwear INSIDE Pocket will include either Flap or Slide In with Velcro
INSIDE Side to Side Pocket will include either Flap or Slide In with Velcro or Zipper
OUTSIDE Side to Side Pocket will include either Flap or Slide In with Velcro or Zipper
TOTAL WRAP AROUND POCKET with a zipper to accommodate long term insulin patients who are use to wearing the wrap around spy belt and want something similar to that design.
Some pockets will be also removable for various use on some special made to pre-order underwear.
Future Limited styles will offer birthday logos and the seven days of the week.
Velcro and Thread colors will vary but match all pocket and underwear pocket colors to a TEE.
- TPUC will offer underwear with pockets specifically for all insulin pumps on the market but current Type 1 moms are raving about using the underwear for also the additional devices that comes with the pumps and or those pumps that have remote devices or other things like each kids has phones connected to their Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, it is possible that our made to order underwear will also accommodate those devices as well.
- These Pump Styles Available for Type 1 Diabetics currently and those that are not mentioned below, buyers will have the option to purchase by pump style and or sizes, where they can go in and put in their specific pump size to order by size with a side note it could take longer. We will also offer a universal underwear (i.e. The Wrap Around pocket underwear with a zipper and or the Kangeroo Pocket Style) that will allow those who do not want to wait for the customizable pocket underwear or while they wait for the customizable underwear to be delivered.
- Keep in mind that the below are the Different Pump Styles TPUC currently offered on the market but there may be older pumps that customers are still wearing that are no longer on the market and would love to accommodate you as well if your pump style and sizes are not available to order, so please send us an email directly or contact us Here.
Type 2 Diabetes
With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. About 90-95% of people with diabetes have type 2. It develops over many years and is usually diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). You may not notice any symptoms, so it’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you’re at risk.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active.
If you like to know more research and STATS on Type 1 Diabetes from CDC, please visit them HERE https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html
According to WebMD (2021) Everyone with type 1 diabetes and many people with type 2 need to take insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. For now, there are two options: injecting it with a needle or pen, or using an insulin pump. An insulin pump is a small computerized device. It delivers insulin through a thin tube that goes under your skin.
If you like to know more research on Insulin Pumps from Webmd, please visit them HERE.
According to Endocrine Web (2021) Type 1 diabetes (T1D) As people with diabetes know, keeping blood sugar levels in a safe range is extremely important. Good blood sugar control not only makes you feel well, but also helps prevent long-term diabetes complications, such as blindness, kidney failure and heart disease.
People with type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body use sugar (glucose), a key source of energy that comes from carbohydrates. If you have type 1 diabetes you must make up for the lack of insulin with insulin therapy.
Meanwhile, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but their bodies don’t use insulin properly, or they don’t produce enough insulin. Diet, exercise and medication can often work to control glucose levels. However, in certain cases, these measures aren’t enough, and insulin therapy is needed to better control blood sugar levels.
While insulin can be given by self-injection, people who take multiple daily injections of insulin may also consider using an insulin pump.
An insulin pump provides continuous delivery of short acting insulin all day long. The insulin pump substitutes the need for long acting insulin. A pump also replaces the need for multiple daily injections with a continuous insulin infusion, and also helps to improve your blood sugar levels.
If you like to know more research on Insulin Pumps from EndocrineWeb, please visit them HERE.
The CDC’s 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report, cites that in the United States, T1D diagnoses included 1.4 million adults, 20 years and older, and 187,000 children younger than 20.
That totals nearly 1.6 million Americans with T1D—up from 1.25 million people—or nearly 30% from 2017.
A separate CDC report, focused on T1D in youth, showed that T1D is growing most sharply in African American and Hispanic youth populations. As the reason is unknown, the CDC is advocating for continued “surveillance” of T1D in today’s youth populations.
According to the report, between 2002 and 2015:
- T1D cases among African American children increased by 20% with 20.8 children diagnosed per 100,000
- T1D cases among Hispanic children increased nearly 20% with 16.3 per 100,000
- T1D cases among Asian / Pacific Island children increased 19% with 9.4 per 100,000
- White children are the slowest growing demographic with a 14% increase, yet remain the most impacted group with 27.3 T1D cases per 100,000
The report also showed that diagnoses occurred most frequently between the ages of 5 and 14.
- 33.5% were ages 10-14
- 27% were 5-9
(Alexandra Mulvey – June 22, 2020 via https://www.jdrf.org/blog/2020/02/18/more-people-being-diagnosed-type-1-diabetes/)
If you like to know more research and STATS on Type 1 Diabetes from CDC, please visit them HERE (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf)
According to Wedmd (2021) The device releases insulin almost the way your body naturally would: a steady flow throughout the day and night, called basal insulin, and an extra dose at mealtime, called a bolus, to handle rising blood sugar from the food you eat. You program the pump for both basal and bolus doses. If you eat more than normal, you can program a larger bolus to cover the carbs in your food. A bolus can bring down high blood sugar at other times, too. The pump is about the size of a smartphone. You attach it to your body using an infusion set: thin plastic tubing and either a needle or a small tapered tube called a cannula you put under the skin. The place where you put it in — your belly, buttock, or sometimes thigh — is called the infusion site. Some pumps come with inserters for easier placement even in hard-to-reach areas. Insulin pumps use short-acting and rapid-acting insulin, but not long-acting, since the pump is programmed to deliver a small amount continuously to keep your blood sugar levels even.If you like to know more research on Insulin Pumps from Webmd, please visit them HERE.
According to Endocrineweb (2021) Insulin pumps are small, computerized devices that mimic the way the human pancreas works by delivering small doses of short acting insulin continuously (basal rate). The device also is used to deliver variable amounts of insulin when a meal is eaten (bolus). The basal insulin rates are usually set up in your pump with your doctor, and you can have one or multiple basal settings programmed in your pump, based on your needs. You program the amount of insulin for your mealtime bolus directly on the pump. Most pumps come with built-in bolus calculators to help you figure out how much insulin you need at mealtime based on your glucose levels and the amount of carbohydrates you are eating.
The pump, which is about the size of a smart phone or deck of cards, is worn on the outside of your body and delivers insulin through a tube (catheter), connected to a thin cannula, placed into the layer of fat under your skin, typically around your stomach area. The pump can be worn around your waist in a pump case or attached to a belt or bra, in a pocket, or on an armband. There are a variety of custom-made accessories available so you can carry your insulin pump with style. To use an insulin pump, you will need hands-on training from your diabetes care team. They will teach you how to fill a pump reservoir, prime tubing, select an infusion site, change an infusion set, disconnect the device, calculate and program basal and bolus doses, troubleshoot potential problems, create backup plans in case of pump failure, and prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. If you like to know more research on Insulin Pumps from EndocrineWeb, please visit them HERE. That totals nearly 1.6 million Americans with T1D—up from 1.25 million people—or nearly 30% from 2017.
A separate CDC report, focused on T1D in youth, showed that T1D is growing most sharply in African American and Hispanic youth populations. As the reason is unknown, the CDC is advocating for continued “surveillance” of T1D in today’s youth populations.
According to the report, between 2002 and 2015:
- T1D cases among African American children increased by 20% with 20.8 children diagnosed per 100,000
- T1D cases among Hispanic children increased nearly 20% with 16.3 per 100,000
- T1D cases among Asian / Pacific Island children increased 19% with 9.4 per 100,000
- White children are the slowest growing demographic with a 14% increase, yet remain the most impacted group with 27.3 T1D cases per 100,000
The report also showed that diagnoses occurred most frequently between the ages of 5 and 14.
- 33.5% were ages 10-14
- 27% were 5-9
Alexandra Mulvey – June 22, 2020 If you like to know more research and STATS on Type 1 Diabetes from CDC, please visit them HERE
TPUC does not accept liability beyond the solutions set forth herein, including any liability for products not being in-stock for, or the provision of services and support. TPUC will not be accountable for consequential, special, indirect or punitive damages even if advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any third party except as expressly provided herein. This limitation of liability applies both to products and services. Customer agrees that for any liability related to the purchase of products, TPUC is not liable or responsible for any amount of damages above the aggregate dollar amount paid by the customer for the purchase of products under this agreement. Customer agrees that for any liability related to the purchase of services not bundled with products under this agreement, TPUC is not liable or responsible for any amount of damages above the aggregate dollar amount paid by the customer for the purchase of services under this agreement.
According to EndocrineWeb (2021) A variety of insulin pumps are available, and your diabetes care team can help you choose the best pump for you. In general, there are two types of pump devices:
- Traditional Insulin pumps have an insulin reservoir (or container) and pumping mechanism, and attach to the body with tubing and an infusion set. The pump body contains buttons that allow you to program insulin delivery for meals, specific types of basal rates, or suspend the insulin infusion, if necessary.
- Insulin patch pumps are worn directly on the body and have a reservoir, pumping mechanism, and infusion set inside a small case. Patch pumps are controlled wirelessly by a separate device that allows programming of insulin delivery for meals from the patch.
Many pumps connect wirelessly with blood glucose meters, which measure blood sugar levels using a drop of blood from your fingertip. Some pumps connect wirelessly with continuous glucose monitoring devices, which are inserted under the skin and monitor blood sugar levels all day long. Talk to your health care provider about which pump is right for you. Most insurance companies cover insulin pump therapy with variable out-of-pocket expenses.
Pumps vary in how much insulin they hold, whether or not the pump has a touch screen or is waterproof and have a variety of advanced features as well as safety features. Safety and user features may include programmable bolus, customizable reminders, alerts for missed bolus dose or missed glucose measurement, and alarms in the event of a blockage that prevents the continuous infusion of the insulin through the pump. One of the integrated systems that combines insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring sensor can also be programmed to suspend insulin delivery if the glucose levels reaches a preset low threshold level.
Anyone who would like to join the TPUC movement in helping children and adults who have to wear an insulin pump for 24 hours a day feel more comfortable and confident in wearing their pump in peace.
To donate to TPUC, scroll to the top of the page and hit the TAB title DONATE and choose the amount your feel most comfortable with donating today. Please email us if you have any problems or questions.
We do not offer any refunds but would be happy to offer you an online store credit within the first 7 days of receipt, as long as your online order is still in its original sale condition from the time it left our warehouse.
Please submit a request HERE (HYPERLINK to EMAIL CONTACT PAGE) and one of our customer service representatives will respond to your request within 1-2 business days. Photos are required for your request to be approved.
Returns for online store credit are only applicable to any underwear damages that has taken place during the delivery or within 7 days of the delivery.
All orders made with a promo/discount code are FINAL SALE. This includes all sale and holiday promotional periods. No exchanges or returns for store credit will be accepted.
TPUC reserves the right at our discretion to make modifications to products, prices, policies and procedures. Please email us if you have any questions HERE.
TPUC value our customers and their privacy. Our privacy policy is to respect and protect the privacy of all our customers. All personal information collected on and off this site is kept strictly confidential and not sold, reused, rented, disclosed, or loaned. Your personal information is used solely for the purpose of fulfilling your order and making improvements to the customer shopping experience. If deemed necessary, supporting documentation may be required post-purchase to complete order fulfillment. This includes but is not limited to PII (Personal Identifying Information.)
TPUC current pre-orders are all made to order to accommodate your specific requests in pump style, color, size, etc… Once your order has been placed, there is no modifications or cancellations. You can always put in a new order if needed in the order page in the future.
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