Help choosing Medela BP - freestyle or PISA?

[calico]

I can get the freestyle free or upgrade to the retail pisa version ($100 or so) from my insurance. I can't really tell the difference except I think the freestyle is battery only and pisa comes with 4 bottles. Is one more powerful than the other? Any advice? Thanks.

[kitty]

The freestyle can run off of battery or plugged into the wall. It also comes with straps designed to clip to a nursing tank or bra for hands free pumping. It works great for me but I've heard that more well endowed women need to buy a special bra for hands free anyway because the straps don't work for them. The freestyle is louder than the PISA. I chose the freestyle because I like having the freedom to run off batteries if I need to. I often wind up pumping in my car and it is convenient for that. I'm pretty sure you can purchase a car adapter for the PISA but then the car might need to be running the whole time you are pumping.

[catbus]

If you have to pay for the PISA, definitely go for the Freestyle. Usually it's the other way around! I've never used the Freestyle, but people seem to love it.

[huskymom]

Team freestyle. The hands free parts are worthless, but the size and battery make it worth it. Also surprised the Pisa would cost more, as it costs less in store.

[glitzy07]

I have both and prefer the portability of the Freestyle. The suction seems a little less strong, but I only use the lowest setting on the PISA, so it's not a problem. The Freestyle is also louder, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons for me.

[fortmyersbride]

Huh, I bought my freestyle back in 2008 but I think it was nearly $100 more than the PISA then. Anyhow, I loved the freestyle. It's portability, small size amd battery power option are great. I often pumped while walking around the house getting ready in the AM or doing other tasks on the weekend. The pump itself has a clip to attach to your pants/belt loop. Mine worked great through 2 years of pumping for 2 kids.

[h]

I own both and FAR prefer the Freestyle.

[noodleskooze]

If you're nursing and need to pump, Freestyle without a doubt.

I EPed, and as convenient as the Freestyle was, the suction was iffy. I eventually bought a PISA.

[scsarah]

I love the Freestyle. I know it's supposed to be louder, but it's not even that loud to me.

One thing to think about - will you be doing a lot of traveling, or have no access to a power source when you want to pump? I ended up with the Freestyle because the electrical wiring in my office is bad, and if I plug anything in beyond my computer etc., the power to my office and the one next to mine shuts down. Since I didn't want that to be an issue while pumping, I decided on the Freestyle.

[calico]

Thanks this is so helpful! Sounds like the freestyle will be good enough and a lot of you like it. If breast feeding works for me, I expect to pump at home some and at work. At work I should have access to an outlet to plug in but not having to require that is a bonus as long as the battery doesn't burn out often.

[holly22]

Definitely the freestyle! I have both and I hands down prefer the freestyle

[pacificrules]

It looks like it's unanimous. I posted the same question a few months ago and decided to go with the Freestyle. Here's the thread, in case it's helpful:
pandce.proboards.com/thread/264423/medela-freestyle-pump-style

[zarapipe]

Freestyle, for all the reasons pp mentioned. I didn't have suction problems though and I am large chested and the hands free works great for me. I'm getting another one this time.

[VillainV]

My ins didn't cover anything, and I ended up buying a PISA. Mine came with a battery pack (runs off 8 AAs), and I purchased an extra car adapter for it. I read a lot of negative reviews on the Freestyle, many from former PISA users who preferred the stronger suction of the PISA.

Does the Freestyle offered by your insurance come with all the extras (freezer pack, bottles, bag, etc?). If not, that might explain the cost difference between baseline Freestyle and retail grade PISA. If the Freestyle doesn't come with the extras, and you care about having them, then maybe price out what it would cost to purchase them (or comparable items) on your own. You may be able to purchase those through insurance and use $$$ from a flex spending account, so check on that too.

Having said all of that, based on positive reviews in this thread, and the Freestyle being completely covered, if all else is equal then I'd go with that one :-)

[Velar Fricative]

Another vote for the Freestyle! Never used a PISA but did rent the hospital-grade Symphony for a month and my output was the same as it is with the Freestyle, in case that might allay suction concerns. Love the portability too.

[lishie]

I had a PISA with DS1 and a Freestyle with DS2. I liked the Freestyle way, way better. It didn't feel nearly as bulky and attached to my nursing bras well, so I could use my hands while pumping to do other things.

[Redpoppy]

I had a Freestyle after using a Symphony for a month (which has similar parts to PISA). The freestyle parts were much simpler to clean and there weren't any of this little white membranes. I only used to hands free occasionally, but I was the right height to just rest the bottles on my lap. Not sure on suction, but I exclusive pumped from months 2-7 with no issues (I just got tired of it and switched to formula). I felt it was more portable.

I'm surprised too the Freestyle isn't extra. Mine was covered due to feeding issues, but I also happened to luck out with the hospital I delivered at being set up for a hospital rental to retail pump conversion program which my insurance fully covered. The other we went to when he had low blood sugar from not eating just had PISA for insurance purchase.

[Ashley&Scott]

I loved my Freestyle. The battery was great, I pumped 3x per day & only needed to charge it once a week. The Freestyle should come with 4 bottles & a bottle cooler too, at least mine did. 

ETA: I had to pay a $130 upgrade to get the Freestyle, my insurance only covered the cost of a PISA. Still worth every penny IMO. I needed a pump that could run on batteries since I was pumping in a supply closet.