Just received one package of 5 guards for the stoma. Since having the stoma, I have always had reservations about protecting it. There are quite a few styles and brands. Found this on the Edge Park website. They told me the insurance would not cover 5, only 3 last week. Today, five come. Hot damn! So... does anyone else share a notion about protecting their tiny front butt hole? This one from "Stoma Guard" at the Edge Park site is all hard plastic and it's just a neat cover that, with adhesive, attaches to the top of your appliance. No belts, no paste... looks like 3M tape. Will try to get a photo... From just looking at it... very simple... I do feel it will create more of a bulge look but nothing that a double extra-large shirt can't cover or hide. Film at eleven. And go...
Hi warrior,
Yeah, there are quite a lot of ostomy covers, guards, protectors, shields, etc. out there. They range from 1/4" thick aluminum wave-shaped covers to thin plastic cups (that remind me of wearing a jock and cup back in Jr High) and everything in between. I've considered trying a few, but find I need access to my bag frequently during the day to empty and to slide the more solid output down into the bag, so it would end up being just something else I'd have to deal with all the time. There are certainly times I'd like my stoma and bag better protected (like when I forget to loop my seatbelt strap over my knee and it chokes off my stoma, or when my pooch gets excited and paws my bag with her razor-sharp claws, etc), but I'm too lazy to investigate. Sounds like you're pretty happy with yours, so that's cool! I'm considering putting an internal pocket in my Stealth Belt clone and then 3-D printing a thermoplastic cover at work. I'll see how that goes.
Regards,
Bob
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,451 members.
“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”
“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”
“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”
MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.
Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.
For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.
Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.
I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.
Sincerely,
An Ileostomate nicknamed Justbreathe 🫶🏼
Hello warrior.
In the early days of having a stoma I was handling a lot of dogs and was worried about being scratched, so I bought a stoma guard. It was shaped in a way that (theoretically) it would guide the output downwards and into the bag without pancaking. In practice, it acted like a barrier and was permanently compacted with output. Needless to say, I only wore it for the times when I was in danger of being scratched, and I was relieved when I finally got to irrigate and no longer needed bags during the day. - It is so much easier to find a suitable protective barrier when there isn't the problem of output. However, nowadays, during and after irrigation, I feel the need to guide output into the sleeve( which also acts as a bag overnight). I achieve this by using plastic 90degree bend used for water waste. This is attached to a baseplate I made up with a small sleeve so that it protects the stoma and the bend can be attached and removed at will. This gadget has worked very well for about 2-3 years, bu I do not think it would be suitable for everyday use as is protrudes too far out and might be an embarrassment for some people. It's not an embarrassment for me because I welcome the opportunity of explaining stoma stuff to people who make the slightest hint at being interested. I also enjoy 'challenging' those few people who make comments try to be deliberately embarrassing. I view these as yet another type of bully, to be confronted and exposed for what they are!
Sorry to have diverted from the subject somewhat, but sometimes people do not wear or use what is appropriate or comfortable because of what other people might say or think. I feel I need to be an ambassador for the 'rights' of an individual to wear whatever they think suits their own needs, without negative and derogatory judgements from others. After all, most people no longer make snide remarks about crutches, wheelchairs etc, and those that do, need to be taken to task about their unacceptable behaviour.
Best wishes
Bill
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Thanks guys. All good input. I have not used it yet. I could see a problem with pancaking though. Since I wear my bag sideways, I don't know how this will affect output. Time and usage will tell. Keep warm.
I only ever used a stoma guard when I used to do martial arts, never felt a need to wear one in everyday life or at work.
Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
Hi. Thanks. Guess it depends on your working conditions like me. Auto mechanic. You can imagine the various positions I'm placed in.
Also..there are people socially who have the habit of touching your stomach while they get your attention and keep it. Sometimes I catch their hand in mid-flight..telling them to stop doing that. Or I'll poop on them.
Alex! AlexT. Paging Alex. T
This one has your name on it, buddy...
Re: mindset.
Mindy, you will have a life, a bit different, but it will be fine. Once you learn the tricks and hacks of ostomy living, you're gonna be right as rain... and feeling better. I take it you are fairly new to having an osty? Your view is common; nothing wrong with feeling "no way." You just haven't been shown the right way. Sit tight.