Need advice on clothing to conceal ostomy bag?

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lanabana
Aug 23, 2012 4:03 pm

Hi, I have read several different posts in which people recommend different Yummie Tummie products, Spanx products, and other things such as this. I am not sure which one to get or which one works best and these are things I don't think you can try on. My main issue is that when my bag starts to fill up, it's all at the bottom area and getting fatter and fatter. Also, when I wear jeans, the surgeon and WCON said to make sure the stoma is above the jeans, which is fine, but sometimes it doesn't work as well and different people have suggested wearing a Spanx tank (longer one). Does anyone have more specific advice or more suggestions, even if you have told me before?



Thanks, Elena

notexpectingthis
Aug 24, 2012 12:38 am

Ostomysecrets.com has a classic wrap that is awesome to smooth and flatten things out. Comes in black, white, and tan - it's a real life saver and very reasonably priced! Washes great!

Posted by: freedancer

In both of my cases, I had no choice. It was surgery or be put 6 feet under! I thank God that He has been with me all these times. Without Him, I never would have known what to do and might not have gone to the hospital when I did. I don't know if you have had your surgery or not yet but I hope you will hang out on this website when you are done. I have learned a great deal through the people here and it is so great having others who have had the same thing done and been through what you are about to or have gone through. The only thing I have turned down is a reversal of the ileostomy. When the doctors did the emergency rebuilding of my original ileostomy this last February, I told them I did not want to go through this again. My doctor told me at that time that I was no longer a candidate for the reversal. In a way, I was very relieved. The last three years of my life have been a nightmare for me. I do not want to go through any of it again. If you wish to be rehooked up and they say you are a good choice for that, research it carefully. Every surgery I have ever had except for Old and New Maxine and the emergency surgery on my broken foot, I have spent weeks researching. I recently had my C5 C6 disk in my neck replaced with an artificial one. I went to my pre-op with 2 pages of questions for the doctor. I knew everything that they were going to do and could talk intelligently with them. I always try to research my adversaries! Don't cancel your surgery. It is nice not to have to suffer any longer with horrible pain. We all had to change a few things around when we had our surgeries but in the long run, most of us are glad we did it. I know I am. Good luck to you!

DeanRox
Aug 24, 2012 4:41 am

Phoenix makes an ostomy belt that is great. It is a little hard to conceal under tight clothes, but it is very comfortable. It is flesh tone and has a slick system for controlling the bag and concealing it. I get mine from Edgepark Medical Supply, but I'm sure any med supply would have it. Good luck! God bless!

Jaggie
Aug 29, 2012 7:09 pm

Like you, I also had this problem and I was given a black band to put around my tummy area to keep me looking flat. But what I found is that if I had that on, my tummy would get gas and make me feel unwell or give me blockage. So now I buy modern going out trousers that are the next size up, and if you get the style right, it looks okay like it should be. I still love my jeans and I am a size 10/12, so it will always depend on the cut. But most of the time, I buy the next size up, a 12. I watch what I eat as I know if I eat too much and have a drink along with it, I will fill the bag up. But again, I can get away with it and with the style of trousers I buy, it looks good. The same with a skirt or long style summer dress, I do the same and I buy a pattern on it as that will also hide it. I buy 2 sizes in underpants as it will not pull on you to restrict the bag from feeling comfortable. I put leggings on, a long vest top, and a flowing style shirt with a loose hanging belt that looks lovely. No one would ever know that I have a bag, not unless I want them to know, and it suits me just fine. I hope I have been of some help to you. I have had my bag now for 7 years, and I felt like you, but I got around looking at the fashion and seeing how I could pull it off.
Now I hope you are ready for a night on the town. Good luck.

TB Cat
Aug 31, 2012 4:21 am

I wear a homemade pouch (which my wife makes) consisting of a handkerchief sewn onto an elastic band to support the ostomy bag as it fills up. I always wear shirts that I don't tuck in but are long enough to hide the pouch. I can remain pretty active using this system as I can adjust it for comfort as the bag fills up. If you would like more details, let me know. This system has worked great for me for several years now. I've never seen anything like it for sale so we continue to use our "home made" pouches.

 

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toodie
Aug 31, 2012 5:06 am

I wear low-waisted jeans. I shop for thin, soft denim with
waistbands that won't bother the flange opening. I spend time in the fitting room to make sure that I can sit and bend without issue.

If I wear the bag tucked in, I'll wear high-waisted panties to help hold it against my tummy.

If I wear it out of the pants, I wear an ostomy cover.

weewee
Aug 31, 2012 9:50 am

Wow, TB, it's nice to see someone from my hometown on here. You're the first one that I got to see respond from here.

mdw
Aug 31, 2012 1:24 pm

You can try PouchWear Sleek from ostomybagholder.com. It is completely seamless and can be worn 24/7, muffles gas, handles active lifestyles, great for swimming. You only need one belt to do all that! Another great thing about it is that it covers the entire bag so it never again touches your skin, no pointy edges, no droopy bag, no leaky flange, just your mind at ease.

girasol
Sep 03, 2012 9:57 am

I read an article on the Phoenix magazine about wearing maternity clothes. I tried them and the pants are super comfortable. The elastic band gives extra support, and as the bag expands the elastic on the pants allows the room for it. Additionally, I wear an elastic band underneath (very similar to the one Myostomysecrets sells, with the difference that I make my own and it is much more economical). I purchased expandex material at the fabric store and voila. I also buy the maternity blouses and they are super cute!
I complement my maternity sets with a blazer for work and no one can tell they are maternity garments. I am a Senior Manager and practically, I am always doing presentations or participating in meetings with other Executives. I never imagined wearing the maternity clothes and my elastic band would give me so much comfort. I love them! I feel normal and after my surgery, I have a level of energy I did not have before.
I am in the stage now of testing intimacy with my husband. I guess, it's a matter of making baby steps. I love the fact that I do not have to get up at night many times to go to the bathroom now and that my Ulcerative Colitis is gone.

renee851
Sep 15, 2012 6:05 pm

I wear low-rise jeans, bikini panties, and a good camisole with a built-in bra. This is the least restrictive and works well for me. When I wear a dress, I do sometimes wear Spanx, which works so well in keeping everything very flat.

Past Member
Sep 15, 2012 11:31 pm

I have always worn camisoles even before I had an ileostomy, not tight fitting like Spanx just stretchy cotton that has a light control (quite cheap as I buy them at K-mart here in Australia but am sure you can get them everywhere).

Mid-rise jeans are good for me (my stoma is about belly-button level) and I have never felt uncomfortable, and I think that's because of the camisole, just keeps everything smooth and flat.

Past Member
Sep 16, 2012 12:14 am

So, any luck lanabana?