This topic is about finding the best ostomy guards and support options for someone with an ileostomy who wants to play contact sports, specifically roller hockey. The person is looking for recommendations to help protect the stoma and ease the anxiety of returning to the rink.
Here are some helpful insights and advice:
1. Hearing from other active players can boost confidence and provide reassurance.
2. The current plan includes buying heavily-padded hockey shorts and continuing to use a Stealth Belt, which is highly praised for everyday support.
3. Since the sport is roller hockey, there is no concern about skate-blade cuts.
4. Some athletes find that once they gain confidence, they don't need a hard guard. Normal sports padding combined with good technique can be sufficient.
5. DIY plastic guards can be problematic if they move around, potentially causing more harm than good.
6. A commercial option like Ostomy Armor is available and reported to be comfortable and protective, though not everyone finds it necessary.
7. Support belts are important:
- Sport-specific belts are an option, but many prefer their everyday support belt for comfort and flexibility.
- Snug belts like the Stealth Belt help keep the pouch flat and reduce worries about impacts.
8. Modern hockey pants often come with extra front padding, which is useful for both ice and roller hockey players.
9. For sweat management, heavy perspiration rarely affects the seal, but using talc or baby powder at the top of the pouch and wearing tight spandex or bicycle shorts can help keep everything secure.
10. For ice hockey players, skate cuts are a specific hazard. One goalie used a kidney-shaped plastic pad from old hockey pants, taping it beside the cup for extra protection.
11. It's reassuring to know that players of various ages, from young adults to those over 64, have successfully returned to sports like football, rugby, and hockey with ileostomies or colostomies, reporting no stoma injuries.
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