Hi funny,
"Can someone explain the usefulness of using a belt?"Yup........sure can. First, as mentioned, it's a personal taste thing, and not for everyone. The usefulness is both a "peace of mind" thing and a practical one. Depending on how well your barrier adheres to your skin......a belt gives you an extra measure of safety in that regard. Continuing on the practical side........if you ever spring a leak between your skin and the barrier........you'll lose adhesion pretty quickly once that seal is broken. Having a belt keeps the barrier in contact with your body despite the seal failing. This won't fix anything, but you won't have to keep your hand over your barrier until you can get to your backup kit..........or home........to change your barrier. It's saved my ass in this scenario a few times......like when I was out on my buddies boat on a hot summer Saturday. I sprung a leak and didn't have any supplies with me.......or anywhere to change my barrier even if I did. Without my belt it would have been a really bad afternoon, but I just cleaned up discretely, taped the shit out of my barrier (always keep some tape in the tackle box!) and tightened up my belt. It held until I got back to dock and all the way home. What a friggin mess I would have had if I didn't have my belt on!
Also, when you apply a new barrier some like to sit or lay down for 20 minutes or so after they get done to allow the adhesion to increase. That's just not practical for some, so cinching up the belt right after you applied a new barrier accomplishes the same thing.......it keeps pressure on the barrier to keep it tight to your skin. And obviously, the piece of mind thing goes right along with all of those scenarios. It's like wearing a seatbelt. Not something I like, but now if I don't buckle up I feel something is wrong. Belts are a bit of a pain in the ass to wear, depending on where your stoma is located, but if you wear one you'll feel naked, or that something is very wrong, if you don't wear it one day. If you do wear it all the time you'll quickly forget you're wearing it. Whereas if you wear it intermittently.........you'll always be aware of it. The good thing is you can try it...........and if it's not for you......just leave it in the drawer. It it helps you feel more secure.........it's a good thing. To each their own, eh?
;O)