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Oct 20, 2020

How to dress stylishly with an ileostomy?

This topic is about finding ways to dress stylishly and comfortably with an ileostomy, especially for someone with a petite frame. The person sharing their experience is a woman who is 5 feet tall and weighs 90 pounds. She finds that her ileostomy pouch is quite noticeable on her small frame and is looking for advice on how to dress in a way that conceals it, while still being able to wear jeans and other fitted clothing.

Here are some helpful tips and insights:

1. Clothing Style and Fit:
- Opt for jeans, skirts, or pants that sit at your natural waist, above the stoma, to avoid waistbands pressing directly on it.
- Consider wearing petite-cut tops that are one size larger, with styles like hip-length, layered, ruffled, or peplum to help camouflage the pouch.
- Loose or A-line dresses, especially those with pleats or patterns like tie-dye or florals, can hide bulges better than solid colors.
- For special occasions, light shapewear like Spanx can provide extra smoothing, but remember to empty the pouch often.
- High-rise leggings, yoga pants, and relaxed-fit or stretch-denim jeans can be comfortable options once your abdomen has healed.
- For swimwear, tankinis, swim shorts, and patterned swimsuit tops can work well.

2. Belts, Wraps, and Specialty Underwear:
- The Nu-Way support belt offers everyday support and can also help with hernia control.
- Ostomy Secrets offers wraps with built-in pouch pockets and ostomy panties, though sizing can vary, so it's best to try one pair first.
- Ostomy Armor provides added stoma protection for sports or impact activities.
- Stealthbelt offers horizontal or vertical styles to keep the pouch sideways, but correct sizing is crucial.
- Some generic stoma belts with a single hole can help keep everything flat.

3. Positioning the Pouch:
- With a two-piece system, you can rotate the pouch 90 degrees to wear it horizontally, and there are specialized wraps and belts for this setup.
- Simply tucking the vertical pouch inside pants or underwear works for many people, as most observers won't notice minor bulges if the pouch is emptied regularly.

4. General Tips:
- Empty the pouch often to minimize bulk and gas.
- Patterns and textured fabrics can act as visual camouflage.
- Layering, such as wearing thin long-john sets under dresses in cold weather, allows you to continue wearing your favorite clothes.
- Confidence will grow over time, and others rarely notice what you might be self-conscious about.

These tips and insights are gathered from various experiences and suggestions, aiming to help you feel more comfortable and confident in your clothing choices.
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