Hello, I am wondering if everyone "hides" their ostomy bag? I've had my ostomy for a few months now and I'm still not comfortable tucking it under a waistband. I've been letting it hang out the bottom of my shirts but recently I've had a few strangers ask why I don't tuck it away. I don't know if it'll change your response but I had a jejunostomy that is now an ileostomy recently, and I have t ...
Hi Thistles
There is no normal, do what suits you. Locations of the appliance vary, do what works for you.
May 18, 2024
I wear high-waisted elastic pants a lot. As long as the elastic is over the flange, or above it, there isn't an issue. The only problem I sometimes run into is that it can tug and pull if the elas ...
Hi everyone, I'm a month in today basically. I'm looking for help in finding wraps for swimming/showering and concealment. I'm currently using a Convatec 2-piece pouch on my ileostomy wearing it vertically but am going to switch to horizontally, seemed easier when I tried it in the hospital, so I'm looking for a belt/wrap for concealment on that part of my request for help and suggestions. I'v ...
So sorry this happened to you, Paul. I'm about to have a glass of wine...pour yourself one. Cheers, my friend.
Apr 07, 2022
Hey CL, I just wanted to share my thoughts about avoiding skin problems. I was told to avoid Dove because of its moisturizing properties. My WOCN lady said to use an adhesive remover first, then ...
Hi guys... I've had my colostomy bag since May. My wife saw ostomy belts that help secure the bag to my body as I'm out in public and are supposed to give more confidence. I ordered one today that I like, and it should be here in about a week. I'm anxious to try it as I'm very self-conscious now with most of my shirt covering most (almost all) of my bag.
Anyone else here use one? If so, do you ...
I've worn a belt for probably 11 1/2 of the twelve years I've had my ileostomy. It was definitely helpful for me. I have some back issues that require daily stretching and twisting moves that I fo ...
Sep 08, 2024
My life was a nightmare before I began using a belt. My pouches never stayed on, and every time I bent down and/or tried to turn from one side to another in bed , the pouch would detach and I'd be ...
I've been looking at wraps and belts online. Damn, they're expensive! The belts more than the wraps.
My stoma protrudes 0.6 inches, and more with the bag, especially when it has the least bit of gas. I feel the protrusion is semi-obvious. That's what I'd like to minimize.
I'm a jeans and T-shirt type of wench, and I don't wear tight clothes. I'm not normally at all vain; hell, I refuse to we ...
Great tips!
Another tip I got was to wear a bandeau around the stoma. I ordered a package of 3 from Amazon and got a size that was looser. Holds the bag stable but not restricting.
May 01, 2022
Thanks, Mimi and everyone else who replied.
Thanks to Kaz and Lovely, I figured out to wear my bag outside my jeans. Most of my T-shirts are long enough to cover the tail, but when I'm out and abo ...
I am trying to hide my stoma bump and bag bump. Some days it seems it sticks out more and I don't know what to wear!! Help please!! I've had this since Dec and I am very conscious of this bump!!
I wear a Stealth Belt. It's great, kind of pricey, but I love it and it keeps the bag closer to the abdomen and helps keep the seal strong as well. I also use Sensura Mio bags which fold in half ...
Can anyone recommend a hip wrap, the kind that resembles a tube top, but is worn around the hips and covers the back. I have some tops not long enough to hide it and I don't tuck it into my pants because it's uncomfortable. I'm looking for the kind that's very soft and stretchy, and has the silicone edging so it stays in place. When I look online, the descriptions are not always specific and I ...
I use the Stealth Belt. Pricey but worth it. Actually bought two. One for working outside and one for everyday and play.
Love it. Good luck!
Dec 03, 2022
I found "maternity belly bands" on Amazon. I really like them. I like to wear my urostomy bag outside, but want it hidden. These come in packs of 3 - 1 white, 1 gray, and 1 black. I put on my pant ...
I have begun to really like adhesive-coupled wafers and pouches. They don't support ostomy belts since that could pull the coupling apart. It would be nice to have a way to add further support for the pouch. I use flange extenders and they work fine. There are wraps that are advertised as supporting the pouch. Do these wraps provide support without connecting around the flange/wafer? Is anyone ...
I am a 37-year-old, single mom of 3 and I am a colorectal cancer survivor going on 3 years now. I am dating and find it very difficult and stressful to try to tell someone I want to be intimate with that I have an ostomy. How do you tell someone? I would also like to know how can I hide or keep my bag from getting in the way during intimacy. I am so worried that I will never find someone who w ...
I do not see postings about colostomy irrigation on many sites. However, if you are able (check with your doctor), it could be a game changer. I irrigate daily (most of the time) or every other da ...
Oct 24, 2022
Don't use the coward's way by using email!!!!
Face the man. Get used to the new you. Be proud.
Ok, I am having a heck of a time here.. How do you guys out there wear jeans or slacks with a belt and your shirt tucked in? I have fought this long enough... I gotta know.. I feel like a slob with oversized t-shirts worn outside my britches just to cover my bag... And tucking it in when I wear jeans and slacks with a belt just isn't working...
Only 2 years behind? I like to think about it as 10 years in front, as nearly all 'fashions' come round again sooner or later. It's as though these things have all been thought ...
May 20, 2023
If you wear cargo shorts, use a side pocket for putting in a leg bag for your urostomy. Cut a small hole inside the pocket and connect it to your urostomy bag tap!!!
Howdy gang,
Picked up some black Rit fabric dye and am going to try dyeing a couple of my Hollister skin-colored bags black. I'm pretty sure the fuzzy fabric covering will take dye, but haven't figured out what to do about the bottom plastic part of the bag yet. Tried coloring it with a Sharpie and that looks like crap, so will need a plan B for that part. But might as well make sure the body ...
I am thinking about doing this. It might be cool to match them with clothing. Good to know someone else is.
Apr 03, 2024
Duct tape for the win! Green is the color! Football is the game, and winning is our aim, so cheer us on through the sun and rain. Sask Roughriders is our name.
Hello all,
I've had my ileostomy since 8/21. Still lots to learn but one area that I'm struggling with is clothing! I know it's really not earth-shattering in the grand scheme of life but... I am a fashionista and I long for my normal clothes.
I can't seem to wear anything non-stretch. Do I need to alter, but a size up? Any advice??
So I've never had it explained to me, and it makes me feel a little foolish for having to ask, but how do you manage wearing pants with a bag? I always wind up leaving my bag to hang outside my pants because I keep worrying that it'll fill up too fast and burst if I tuck it into my pants--since it wouldn't be able to drain into the lower part of the bag. Recently I've been wearing longer shirt ...
Hmmmm.....on this topic, I have asked a few friends of mine for their honest opinion on ostomy appliances being "on show", or not. The age range of those asked was one 17-year-old, one 29, one 39, ...
Dec 28, 2016
Hi Royat T, same here, I wear maternity jeans with the nice stretchy material at the waist area and a long top over. My output is quite thick so I am not able to wear jeans that are tight in the a ...
Greetings Ostomates!
So… I'm new(ish) here, joined a while back but have never posted. Got my ileostomy May of last year after decades of Crohn's & two bouts of colon cancer. Happy to report I'm doing well and still here! I think I've adjusted pretty well to the new routine. It took a few months of testing products to land on a good appliance that lasts a solid 7+ days before swapping out, b ...
G-Day ClaraD, the clip is so you can fold the bottom of the bag over and make it shorter if you wish. It also secures the bag so it doesn't open by accident. I also glued a small but strong earth ...
Aug 12, 2024
Hello Kevin here. I am new to the world of ostomies, January 2024. I have a urostomy and, like you, I grew up tucking in my shirt. My brother-in-law buys shirts not made to be tucked in, even thou ...
So, I'm about 4 weeks into having my ileostomy, and I'm starting to get back on my feet and go places. This necessitates a new wardrobe, both because I have no winter clothes and because, as an 18-year-old girl, I have a lot of little stretchy clothes that don't really work with an ostomy. I'm mostly looking at sweaters in the stores, since it's cold outside and sweaters are really pretty :). ...
I have a tip for those looking for the perfect dress to work with an existing stoma. I found it on Amazon - tank dress with ruched tie waist. It's a mini but longer on my 5' 4" height. It has a lot of give in front for an expanding bag but hugs everywhere else. I bought four, just wore one to my niece's bridal shower. I know how challenging clothes can be for us and wanted to share.
There is no normal, do what suits you. Locations of the appliance vary, do what works for you.