Marks & Spencer Launches Stoma Pants in Various Colors and Sizes

Applies to the UK. The Guardian newspaper reported last week that Marks & Spencers have brought out a range of stoma pants for ladies (men as well if you like). They come in a range of colors and sizes and incorporate a pocket to accommodate a stoma bag. Are stomas becoming mainstream?

Hello Douglas John.
Thanks for the information.
I had a look at these online (M&S call them 'stoma knickers'), and could not see how they differed from many other women's knickers.
My impression is that someone in their sales department has become familiar with stomas and saw an additional sales opportunity with garments that they already market mainstream.

If this is the case, the the cliché 'buyer beware' seems relevant.
Best wishes

Bill

Ya know when I first got my ostomy and searched various things on the internet, I thought there were a lot of ostomies in England. 🤷‍♂️

Not verified, but I read once that 1/350 people in the UK have a stoma.

AlexT, I have noticed the same thing and also noticed for ostomy clothes or bathing suits and some other things I noticed are there as well. We need to pick up the pace here.

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Just a bit off topic, but I was searching for men's underwear on Amazon and came across these. George W would have loved them! 🤣

https://www.amazon.com/Real-Men-Enhancing-Underwear-Briefs/dp/B09ST7GPV1?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

After real underwear problems following surgery, I found that unisex G-strings suit my Ken Butt perfectly.

TMI. 😁 The damn visual I'm getting... 🤦‍♂️😬

Kinda weird they'd make a pocket for an extra pair of socks. 🤷‍♂️ Probably made in some country with lots of rain and they know the importance of having dry socks. 😁

The perfect Ken Butt. I'm not complaining 😇

I did read some statistics somewhere, can't remember where, that said a higher percentage of the population in the U.K. has ostomies. It was speculated that this was due to physicians in the U.K. being more likely to recommend ostomy surgery than those in North America. I know that my doctors didn't recommend it for me, and it wasn't until my colon perforated that I finally got my ostomy. I was told that ostomy surgery was mostly just for cancer patients.

Terry

Hi Terry. It could be because we in the UK are lazy, overweight, unhealthy, and eat a crap diet. Sometimes I despair. My Ken butt was for rectal cancer. 😫😫😫😫 John

Well, I think you are wrong on that one, my friend! I looked at the most recent stats, three sources here, so believe what you want. One shows rates of obesity for every country, with the U.S. coming in 13th, Canada coming in 55th, and the U.K. coming in 86th. The other two stats are obesity rates in the population, showing the U.S. with 42.7%, Canada with 24%, and the U.K. with 20%. The final stat shows the U.S. with a 50% obesity rate, Canada with 25%, and the U.K. with 20%. You guys have a long way to go, not suggesting you try to catch up!

Terry

Wonder if they come with underwire support?

Underwired support? More like scaffolding 😂😂😂😂

You are of course right, Terry. I was only being cynical about my fellow countrymen (and women). Obesity is becoming a real issue in the UK, bringing with it the obvious strains on the NHS. John

I'm thinking... popsicle stick?

Hi Douglas,

I actually checked the M&S site and they seem to be underpants with a pocket to put the stoma bag in. So @Bill, I don't think these are regular pants being sold as stoma pants.
While I was on the site, I kept getting notifications that over 100 people bought them in the last 48 hours.
They also only come in black and are out of stock for most sizes online.

If anyone tries them, I'd love to hear how they compare in quality and fit to the more expensive stoma-specific brands out there.

:-) :-)

Not yet seen in the UK physical retail yet.

Looks well designed and [as a female] but one who understands the design and cut of clothing [for all sexes], I can see this addresses both comfort and support, and of course, 'appeal' too.

Not seen anything like the range before - good to have the brand brought to attention.... UK ladies may find this a nice surprise present for the guys in their lives.

It's not often I look at ad links - but I am pleased I have sighted this one.

Thanks, Daniel!

Hi Bill, it was a member of M&S staff with a stoma who suggested there was a market. The pants apparently have a full-width supportive pocket inside to hold the pouch close to the body. Also, they are 'cotton rich,' unlike most of the 'medical' products out there.

Also available in standard and Brazilian styles.

I intend to get some, but my size was sold out as of last night!

I bought these last week. My colostomy is quite low and I was always uncomfortable with it. They have improved my comfort immensely.

I need a moment... I'll never view an orchestra in the same way again!!

I ordered some in my size (humungous) but I find them quite .... breathtaking, as in it's hard to breathe while wearing them.

I'm relatively new to stomas (May 24, colostomy, then following 2 months unconscious in ITU = 4 months conscious of stoma), but I find them a bit weird. The "strappy bit" is quite high, so it pushes your stoma almost into your chest, and the pants are quite tight. For our male colleagues, you may wish to trim some of the lacy bits if they get snarled around your G Strings.

Two women from our council came to visit / interrogate me for something to do with my stoma, and one did a "belly burp" while we were talking, she was quite appalled, almost audibly tutted, at my enthusiasm about finding a new ostomate! Seriously, it's not like we don't all do wind from whichever end works!! Anyway, so she took the hit for 350 others in Devon.