Clothing and Swimming with an Ostomy

So for all af the female OstoMates out there,how hard is it to find a pair of jeans.I went boxing day shopping wiyh my 24 year old daughter and 2 of her friends(the same age of my daughter)we had a great time but when we tried on jeans(14.00 a pair)I was so upset that all that they make are low rise jeans.Well when you have a stoma that is higher then where the jeans come its not very attractive.I woul like to hear your solutions to this problem if you have it.

Hi I am trying to contact any one who lives in the UK Blackpool area, to ask them about swimming pools sutable for us with a Stoma.

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 shirts and can tuck the end up into the top of my pants, but it still hangs down and can be seen from time to time. I mostly have jeans, and when I work, ...

Hi everyone, I still can't figure out how to wear pants. If I wear them too low it pushes up on the adhesive when I sit and loosens the base. If I wear them just above my ostomy bag they pull down on the stoma and I get blisters at the base of my stoma. Can anyone explain to me how they deal with wearing pants? If the pants are too tight then how does the stool make it to the bottom of the bag. I feel as if I need to  bring back the MC Hammer parachute pants.LOL Even sweats that are too bulky weigh on it and aggravate my stoma. Winte...

     Swim suit season is always a trigger for most people- the image they have of themselves showing more skin. Some people are comfortable in a bikini, others perfer a one peice and others the tank-ini.       For both girls are boys with an Ostomy- how are we to handle being in a swim suit while also being socially acceptable.       M y take on this subject is having the attitude of- be yourself. I dont see how having an Ostomy changes anything about ho...

Have had my Ostomy since the end of July. Still trying to figure out how to wear my jeans. Any ideas? I'm not into hipsters by the way.

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I have a two piece bag, I change the wafer thingy once-twice a week and the bags I just put on take off and throw away, no mess no nothing, nice actually, but I love to swim and get scared that if i swim, i have to wrap it and do all of this silly stuff, in fear of it falling off? Anyone have any ideas, I've got 2 boys who love to swim, and I love swimming myself, so if anyone could shoot a secret or two my way that's be great thanks!

Hi there Brand new to the forum, and I have a quick question. Do I have to go out and purchase all new underwear, or can I say with my comfy cotton Hanes? My ileal conduit surgery is scheduled for 3/6, and I believe my dx is a neurogenic bladder caused by my underlying condition of multiple sclerosis. In advance, thank you!  

I am  going to finally get released in a couple of months back to the gym.  I had a permanent ostomy in March and many complications, but I am so ready to go back to my life again.   Question:  If you have experience in Swimming what do you use?  Your regular bag or do you know of any bags made for swimming? Question:  Has anyone who runs or works out used anything at the gym to cover the pouch because of the heavy sweating?  I wondered if anyone has used a cover so the ...

I would like to know if anyone with a ileostomy w a colostomy how they deals w their setup while being immersed in bathtub & swimming pool. I have had my setup since 1997. But just haven't accessed helpful information BC had lots of little illnesses & recently becoming more computer savory. , I have a huge avid love for swimming &this has been greatly less since my surgery and would like to know my options of being able to keep wafer good for a week time. I find it difficult to do both(swim as much as I want & only have to change wafer on...

I've been wearing pants that are two sizes to big, in order to accommodate my appliance, for the last 12 years. I read someones post a few weeks ago and they suggested maternity pants. Well, I came out of the dressing room with a BIG SMILE on my face. I had to adjust the top and put in a piece of elastic to hold them up but I no longer have to wear big baggy pants.  Thank you so much.

hi there ladies,i just wanted to bring up the topic of sexy underwear,i have a few questions,do you girls miss the sexy underwear lingerie companies such as anne summers and la senza offer? ive noticed theres a few companies out there that offer "sexy" ostomy underwear but am i alone in thinking that the underwear on offer is pretty and well want for a better word safe? the colour schemes are bland,do the designers of these companies believe that just because we have ostomies that we dont want out there hellava sexy underwear,of ...

This is my first stoma summer and I just bought a new one piece swim suit yesterday. I am wondering for those of you that do swim, when you do, do you have to change to a new bag that same day or not too far after? I know the wafer is meant to absorb moisture so if you have moisture on the inside from the stoma and also on the outside from the pool water it would lessen the stickiness to the skin, right? Please let me know, thanks.

Here is another great video I found on YouTube:

Dear Friend, My name is Lindy Hughes. I am a retired tailoress currently living in Mid Wales, UK. I had a colostomy five years ago and now lead a full and active life. Ever since my operation, I have found that I have a problem with my colostomy bag I have found that trousers did not fit correctly, they were uncomfortable or that they restricted my movement. Using my experience as a tailoress I believe that I have a solution to this problem.  I now would like to develop and share this solution and the first step is to ask a f...

 My surgery for rectal cancer is scheduled October 9, and I will emerge from surgery with an ostomy.   Naturally, I have a lot of questions and my learning curve will be very steep.  But, my immediate question is about clothing to wear with an ostomy. I would like to go shopping before the surgery if possible but I’m not sure about what to buy.   My typical work attire is khakis and button-down shirt, but I am self-employed and have a lot of latitude in my wardrobe.  Do I buy clothes that fit me now, or a siz...

Was in my daughters swimming pool for 2-3 hrs last Sat.  First time in 3 yrs since my stoma was installed.  It was Great.  My wafer is fine, as a matter of fact, I am still wearing the same one today, (Wed).  So C'mon people...Enjoy yourselves!!!

Hi, I've got my first holiday since surgery six months ago booked - going to Florida in a month or so. Most of the trip is based around watersports. Are there any products I can get, like waistbands, bag covers etc that will keep my bag dry when swimming, or at least cover up my scars above the waistline of my shorts!?   Any feedback is welcome. Cheers.

Hi all,  I was just wondering if anyone else out there has ever been given any guidance on swimming or doing Aquafit with a large  (well, the size of half a melon!) hernia?  I am desperately trying to lose weight and am now trying Slim Fast as I can't eat any green veg or normal diet foods, but I thought some exercise might help and as I am so restricted with that as well (bad heart means I can only walk 10 metres normal pace), thought that swimming might help, although I am not a particularly good one. &...

Hi guys and girls!!! I want to ask  if you  wear geans because after my surgery ( i have ileostomy) I can't wear geans. Is there any jean that I can wear without problems for my stoma? Thank you very much!!!   (sorry for my poor english)

Hello there, everyone. Once again I'm compelled to ask a question about how some of you handle a particular situation, i.e swimming. My mother had irreversible illeostomy surgery almost 2 years ago.  Before she had the surgery, she enjoyed going to the local YMCA to swim.   During the first year, she had some accidents, in the form of the bag leaking, or falling off.  She now thinks she can no longer swim, and she actually started to cry about this, recently. Do any of you swim?  I'm sure that ma...

So, since I've had my ostomy, I've never tucked it into any pants that are fitted through the butt (so, track pants, yes; jeans, khakis, women's dress pants no).  Instead, I modify the waistbands of my pants to hit lower than the flange, then I wear the bag over with a longer shirt to cover. However, I've become curious: how are you (especially those with ileostomies) handling the fact that the bag expands when you're covering it with close-fitting material that doesn't stretch?  Especially when your hip joint is there so the mo...

hi & thank you for the tips on irritated skin. What' everybody doing about swimming, is there a good cover to wear?

Hi Folks, i have been donated over 1000 pairs of Comfizz stoma support underware, i am at a loss as to what i should do with them. There are Mens unisex boxers M/L and L/XL, and ladies briefs M/L and L/XL, both styles come in black and white, all new still in their packages and they are actually very very comfy lol. (i'm test driving a pair now lol). Now in my opinion they do not fall under the catagory of "emergency supplies" that the foundation sends out to folks, so i am really stuck as to what to do with them ? Has anyone ...

I had my colostomy august 2013, I was a jeans man, tall slim built. Has anyone else encountered a problem with wearing jeans? The colostomy was a life changing event in a lot of ways this is only one of my issues. I currently only wear elastic waist chinos or sweat pants. Any input is appreciated   Thanks Dynodon

To all that have problems wearing jeans: It has been 3 years since my ileostomy surgery and I have fought the battle of blue jeans ever since. I loathe cooler/cold weather because shorts are so much more comfortable than blue jeans (and summers in Wisconsin are soooo short). I have tried so many different makes and models of jeans that I had just about given up trying to find some that are bearable. The rise is always too short so the waist band always “crunches” my stoma. There was never enough room for my bag to comfortably ...

Hi all ... did ya miss me ? Just got back from a couple of weeks at the lake (interior of B.C. - much hotter weather than where I live on the coast). First real trip since my ileo in Dec. 09.  And a reality check too. My energy/physical shape is nowhere near what it was this time last year. Tried to do all the same stuff ... wow I tired fast! Did all the right things re water/hydration and eating. But boy did I feel old. Swimming: everything stayed put and I quite enjoyed myself. I'm more of a paddler so no great butterfl...

Hi Everyone, Just would like some help or information when it comes to what everyone uses when it comes to swimming? I am about to experiance my first summer with my Iliestomy and my god here in perth on wednesday was 37 degress and i was so uncomfortable. I have been itchy and irritated! I currently Use Dansac Pre-cut drainable "bags" i have already started using medical tape and sticking that to me as they keep leaking throughout the nights. If anyone could help or suggest something to me with the swimming it would be great...

Hello all, I have just had my op, I'm three weeks into my recovery and doing quite well by all accounts. There's just a few things I am a bit worried about, if any body could help it would be greatly appreciated. First off before my op I was told I would be fine wearing tight clothing but now I've had it a few week I just can't see how I'm going to be able to fit the type of clothing I like to wear. I am a bit of a mod, which involves nice slim clothing but because the bag balloons I can't see how it is possible! Seconodly I am slightly...

I'm rather new at this and would like to know how others handle swimming when you have an ostomy--especially the men?  My wife and I are going on a cruise in about 2 weeks and I am really anxious about swimming.  My colostomy is high on the left (above the beltline).  I normally use Sensura 2-piece.  It has been suggested that I use a short-sleve wetsuit but I think that would be awfully hot in the tropics.  What do you think?

Has anyone come up with anything to waterproof your appliance? I’ve heard about using pink tape. Anything else. Also suggestions for traveling? Going on a Viking cruise and scared to death of leakage during the night. 

I happend to live in an island in the med, where from June to September, we can go swimming daily. The problem was, that I was unable to fully hide my appliance, underneath my trunks. What I did was to cut the flange hole , off centre, elongated towards the top. This way the whole appliance moves downwards, able to hide all, yet, not artifacts !

Hi, I have read several different posts in which people reccomend 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 dont think you can try on. My main issue is that when my bag starts to fill up its 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 doesnt work as well and different people have suggest wearing...

hi all does anyone know where to get a swimsuit .i m due to go on holiday later in the year and have never managed to get a decent swimsuit that does actually hide the bag,i did buy one from a company in the uk  who make ostomy products but it was no good and really old fashioned,any suggestions welcome i wish i was good at dressmaking i d do it myself isabella

I just had my emergency surgery just over a month ago, and came off the wound vac less than a week ago. The incision is still closing and the scar forming. I now have a colostomy that may be able to be reversed in a few months. I was also laid off my job becaus of the legnth of stay in the hospital.   The doctors and nurses really did not pepare me for life with an ostomy. I basically learned how to change the appliance (seems from reading here that is the correct term). I have kind of had to learn to empty it and keep it clean...

I am wondering if other women and men had issues with their clothing once they had ileostomy surgery? I am a 34 year old female and when I had my ostomy surgery, the stoma was in a different place when I woke up than the mark that was made on me. It is lower, so the waist band on most of my dress pants goes right across the top of my stoma. has anyone had any issues with this and if so, could you please give me some ideas on how to correct this problem. Thanks!

Hi again! I have only had my sodomy for a little over 8yrs and am still trying to figure things out after yrs to stay away from certain things for fear of the appliance leaking. One of those things is swimming.  My appliance doesn't like to stay on when it gets set so I have been avoiding swimming. But I love swimming. Does anyone else have this issue? What do u do to avoid it coming off? That's my fear...that I will get it set and it will dfall. Incidentally...is there such a thing as a small athletic bag that hides the fact that ...

Hi all, Just wondering if there are any ostomates who have travelled to Israel and swam in the Dead Sea. I know they warn people not to open their eyes under the water there because it is so concentrated with salt.  I wanted to know if anyone has swam in the water and felt any pain/severe stinging around their stoma due to the strong salt? I'm planning to swim/float there on my trip to Israel soon and wanted to know if I should prepare myself somehow? Any advice/tips would be appreciated :)

I have had a really difficult time wearing jeans.  Someone mentioned they buy their jeans at the maternity shop. They said that the stretchy top part is more comfortable.  Have any of you ladies out there ever done this before??  How did it work for you?

How do you manage to find smart clothes to wear following a urostomy? I can’t wear my bag over trousers and cover it with a floppy shirt or jumper as it fills up so quickly and its heavy.  I have to tuck it inside to support the weight of the liquid. I empty my bag at least once an hour as it gets so heavy. Apart from elastic waisted skirts or jogger pants (yuck!) I can’t find anything suitable to wear. Even wearing tights restrict the constant flow and I hate the bulge showing from  beneath my clothes when it fill...

I am new to the land of ostomy and I feel the Ostomy nurses don't share as much as I can read on here. So I have a few questions... Do I need to support the bag? i.e. Do I need to wear a belt or is it okay to let the bag hang freely? My stoma is situated such that I can wear my regular under garments, however I notice that there are garments which hold the bag. Is this necessary? Does the stoma have to be protected? I was only told that excessive rubbing would not be good. I was given a pamphlet on foods which produce gas, foods to avoi...

Hello, I'm new to having an ileostomy (surgery on 17/3/17) and I'm a bit concerned about how I would go about wearing clothes with a belt. I don't see how I can wear a belt without constricting the bag and either causing issues or causing me to have to be in and out of the loo all of the time to prevent it from over-filling above the waistline. I've already had an issue with a pair of shorts that fitted me perfectly fine before I had an ostomy, but once the bag filled a little bit, they were too restrictive and nothing fell below the wais...

I had an ostomy eight months ago and I'm ready to get back in the pool. Any suggestions from swimmers about how to keep the appliance water proof? I am wondering if I will need to change it more often because of being in chlorinated water. Thanks in advance for the advice!  

For those with a colostomy but no hernia, do you wear (a) support belt or wrap (b) support underwear (c) ostomy underwear with no support (d) regular underwear? If you wear support underwear, where do you get them? If you wear ostomy underwear, where do you get them? I live in Canada.

Does anyone know of something that actually works for swimming? When I bath or swim my skin barrier loosens. Does anyone know of a way to keep it dry during wet activities?

Does anyone know where I can buy men's underwear with a pouch for my stoma pouch.  I live in Canada and would like to order the underwear in Canada.   Thank you Phil

Hello I not hady ileostomy long. I'm just wondering can I go swimming ? Or do I need wear certain things ?

I really need to get back to exercsing, but the best one for me is swimming due to joints.  Has anyone worn a stealth belt?

what is Barbie butt and can you explain this too me I am having a permanent bag put on also have a fistula. also any advice on clothes to wear that are comfortable and not visible of the bag also can I lay in the pool safely

Holidays Hi all i will be going on holiday in a few weeks and need to get some swimwear (shorts)that will cover my stoma anyone any ideas where i can order them from? Only had my operation 2 months ago so none of last years will do i  need some with i high waist.

Any competitive swimmers out there? I just started a swim class to build endurance and ability to compete in Triantalons. I have had my osteomyelitis for 28 years and just got back in pool in 2016. Big step for me. Any advice?  My biggest scare is changing in. A locker room . Not quit ready to bear it all. I do trail races (2 marathons) with no issues but the swimming scares me.

hi everyone....thanks so much for answering my questions. Bear with me as this is new to me......what is the best way to secure my bag so I can get in the pool?  

Hi, my stoma is quite high (above belly button) & I was wondering what the men on here wear when swimming. It is not really practical to wear high waistband swimmers (would look REALLY stupid) Thanks

Hi ALL: I recently signed up for this site and have had an Ileostomy since December 2010. I have read so many postings about others asking questions on how others keep their appliances on while bathing, swimming and showering.  I hope the info below can be of help. I've had a huge issue with my wafers not holding due to my body chemistry that causes sweating which in turn causes the wafers to lift.  Not to mention, I live in the South where humidity is high during the summer months which didn't help with the sweating...

I have been in the pool a lot this summer and it seems like everytime I change my appiance, I have a rash on my skin. Not sure if it's caused by the swimming and chemicals in the pool or maybe just because it's wet for a while. I do my best to dry the wafer off after getting out of the pool, but it's impossible to get it totally dry. I can't change the applicance every time I swim because I go in the pool about 4x a week. That would probably irritate my skin too! (plus I'd never have enough supplies.) Any ideas?

I haven't attempted swimming with my ostomy yet.  I've seen special bathing suits and various kinds of equipment such as belts, etc.  Can anyone give me tips/suggestions on what to get?  I want to start swimming for exerise and I also love to travel so I'm thinking about swimming and sunbathing for leisure as well.

What clothes can be worn with an iliostomy other then elastic waste stuff? I'm so tired of sweat pants and don't want my bag popping with jeans..

Hey everybody. 'k so stupid here didn't know that when you type here in really big fonts ( so I can see what I typed ) it gets posted that way oops !      Just wanted to mention something I found ( or maybe you all know about it & I'm late to the party) but I got some tape from a nurse at the hospital..... its called Hypafix and is virtually the same material that the cloth part of the wafers are made of . Its hypoallergenic & easy on the skin and makes the wafers last longer if they start to lift around ...

Is it possible that tight clothing (stretch jeans) would be harmful for an iliostomy?

Hi all, So I'm a youngish female, and I wanted to figure out a way to wear a two-piece bathing outfit to the beach and the pool and whatnot, but I wasn't super impressed by tankini options because they tended to show a strip of stomach in exactly the wrong place as well as not come far enough down my leg.  I just wanted to share what I eventually hit on doing, because it's worked really well for me and it might not have occurred to everyone.  (Or maybe it has.  I'm a little out of the ostomy loop since I've been fully ...