Wearing Pants/Skirts with an Ostomy: Need Advice!

Hi Nagual,

Don't get discouraged. As you heal and see how other ostomates manage, you will feel better. When I was in the hospital from having the ileostomy, a young college girl with an ileostomy came to visit me. She was wearing very form-fitting white jeans! I was amazed how terrific she looked in them. She boosted my self-confidence 100%. Since that time, I have worn most any kind of "regular" pants, jeans, sweats, and swimsuit bottoms with no problems at all. It just takes time to learn all the ways to wear attractive clothes. Hang in there! Rhonda C.

Hi Nagual, I was having exactly the same problem until I found this... really great, hope you like it. http://www.easttown.co.jp/ostomybeltguard.html

I also have a high output ileostomy, on my right side, just below my belly button. I've had my ileostomy for just over a year now and I've had Crohn's all my life. I have found that jeans are just a no-no anymore. Tights, leggings, capris, and baggier shirts. In the winter, leggings with an oversized sweater and knee-high boots are awesome. I also have a couple wraps (made of lyreco) that wrap tightly around my waist and basically conceal the bag, although you may want to wait a couple more weeks before you try that!! Good luck!

I can relate to your situation because I had the same problem. I threw out my jeans and wore loose joggers. Thank God there were low risers, lol. I now take the waistband of my jeans and lower the whole waist if needed, and cut a lower scoop out just where the ostomy is, so when I sit the waist doesn't ride up. I take some stretchy cotton, like jogger material, and sew the waistband back on, then put the belt loops back on the jeans. I also take the zipper out and sew it back so it still looks like there's a zipper. I use elastic in the waistband and make it loose enough to sit, and just tight enough to stay up. I found when you take the waistband off of jeans, they get a little wider and it really adds comfort to the jeans. Just be sure to get the low rider ones with thinner, stretchy material. You can also lower and scoop out the ostomy part on joggers too.

Hi, Nagual! Okay, here it goes. I've had a right-sided ileostomy for almost 20 years. I love to wear slacks. My little secret is to get the tall sizes. I'm 5'8" and I had the same problem with pants; "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." I know that I have to hem the legs and not as fashionable (I grew up in the 60's 70's when hippie huggers were the rage) as low-waisted jeans, but it's more comfortable. I also like wearing leggings with longer tops. I also do a quick little something with my undies: I take two and put one inside out, match up the legs and stitch them with a zig-zag (stretch while sewing) that way you just tuck the bag between the two pairs. I'm nearby, so if you need help, let me know!

I have only been able to wear hospital scrubs in a size or two larger than what I would normally wear. They have drawstrings so you can tie them tight enough so they stay put (mostly) and you can adjust them throughout the day. I have a stoma that sticks out 1-2 inches depending on if it is swollen, and it bleeds when touched so jeans are out for me. Good luck to you, I had mine 5 years ago. It does get easier, it takes time for your body to heal. Sorchia

Hello Nagual88!

I too struggled with pants/bottoms after my ileostomy surgery. Everything that I had owned previously wouldn't work for me as it went right across my stoma and caused pain/blockage/leakage ......you get the point. I went online and searched for advice, hints, and products that might allow me to wear clothing that didn't look as if it were 2 sizes too big. I missed my jeans the most and didn't want to live the rest of my life in sweatpants. After some recovery time, I went to a maternity shop where I tried on .......yup......maternity pants. I was desperate to look my normal self. I shared my dilemma with the saleslady, and she sized me up (with her eyes only) and brought back several pairs of pants for a petite (short) woman. I was almost in tears as I looked down and saw a normal me in jeans. All it needed was a longer top to cover the band. It was comfy and gave my ostomy bag support while allowing my stoma to keep putting out. I bought 2 pairs of jeans right away and never looked back. This worked very well while I was in the healing mode. I had also by then discovered Ostomysecrets.com. I ordered a regular wrap and a swim wrap. These wraps give you support when you need it, help to disguise the ostomy, and give you great peace of mind. Unfortunately for me, I can't get any more as they are no longer shipping to Canada, only to the U.S. But for you, they could be an important part of your wardrobe. Please check them out and give it a try. I am hoping in time that they will resume shipping to Canada, and I can purchase more items. Another helpful hint is thigh-high stockings instead of pantyhose. I have purchased a couple of pairs from Secret Pantyhose. I don't know if these are available in the U.S., but they definitely make wearing a dress/skirt in the winter doable as it is too cold to go without. These stockings, by the way, are comfy, they stay up, and are really sexy-looking, so they also give your self-image a boost and it's your little secret (or not). After several years of having my ostomy, I was determined to find other pants that would work for me. It's a matter of trial and error. You should dedicate some time for shopping and go into stores that have sales help that look like they really want to HELP you. Explain that you need a pant that is higher-waisted and a little looser in the front. You would be amazed at what is out there. I was delighted to find several pants and capris with the help of a wonderful woman who took care of me from start to finish. I put on a lot of pants that day ;(at least 20 pairs), but I'm very glad I did. I came home with pants to wear that are comfortable and allow everything to flow as it should. I also got a great dress and a couple of tops and felt like a new person with a wardrobe that anyone would wear. I hope this helps a little. Don't give up. Keep searching. Previous comments have given me a couple of leads (Kim Co./Comfizz), and I will be checking these out as well. I go to the U.S. shopping once a year (girls' weekend), and maybe I'll be able to find more bottoms myself. Good luck!!!

Don't make it so complicated; I used to, but then quit thinking about it and now I wear whatever I want, suits, shorts, bathing suits etc.

Hi, Rosiesmom here. I just discovered this conversation today. I have been wearing Hanes cotton briefs for years. They are long enough in the torso to come well up to the waist, so I didn't have to change. However, I recently discovered Vanity Fair briefs. They are not all cotton, but they are once and long with a wide waistband. They also help allow my pull-on to slide up easier as I have gained some weight but didn't change all my capris. LOL. I wear snug-fitting pull-ons. I get most of mine at Macy's. They are stretchy but stylish and have nice wide waistbands. I don't know if anybody else does this, but I use the little white stickers that come with my pouches to cover the vent. I also pull the bottom open a bit before closing it. This prevents too much vacuum in the pouch, which can cause pancaking. I may have to go to the ladies' room and burp by lifting the edge of the pouch from the flange to let extra air escape, but it makes it more comfortable for Rosie and allows everything to slide down easier. Hope this helps.

Hi Wendeehart; Thank you so much for your tips. I have been trying to sew my own support while still wearing the hospital underwear over my regular underwear. The two underwear idea is fantastic. I am on the prowl for the underwear that will serve my purpose. I guess they are briefs. I tried the hi-cut ones and the bag hangs below the leg line and irritates my thigh. So, briefs or boy shorts here I come. I too grew up in the 60's/70's and you're right, hip huggers were in then and again now. So were midriff shirts. I was sewing my pants and skirts too. I am not that great of a seamstress, so at times it has been frustrating. You have some fantastic advice. Thanks. P.S. I can't wait for these blisters to heal up on my stoma. I just spent nearly 3 hours cutting out each little divot for them on my flange. Oh my goodness. Thank the stars I have the time to do this. I am adamant in healing these up, so if it took me all day to get it right then so be it. Stay positive, right?  

Hi, Nagual88. So sorry about not getting back. Been dealing with a few medical issues that are leaving me a bit frustrated. I'm glad that the undies solution works. I just wanted to add another hint: if the bottom of the bag and clip are too low, simply sew across the front of the undies from one leg opening to the other in a spot that is comfortable for you. Doing that also helps support the bag when it starts to fill up.

Hope all is well with you and you're enjoying the cooler weather we finally have! Talk to you later.

Yes! These wraps let you wear your regular clothes! But I wouldn't wear "tight" pants or jeans.

I have decided to forgo wearing jeans. For one, they press on my scar, and the other has to do with interference from my seat belt. I have just applied for a seat belt waiver. I tend to wear pajama bottoms. I don't care who says what. I am not out to win a fashion show. I prefer comfort over looking good!!!

I have a little tug from
my clothes if they are tight. I wear all my old clothes! My waist high (granny panties) are of a spandex type material and fit nicely over the pouch and hold it in place and smooth it so it does not show. I just tuck it in the panties and dress as usual. Even if my shirt comes up, it is just the top of the panties that show! I have had some thick jeans press down on the top of the pouch but never push it off. I know your post has been from a while ago and hope you have it all figured out by now! If all else fails, buy surgical scrubs and if you have a leak, people will think you had a bad day at the hospital! Lol
Puppyluv

I'm pretty new to dressing nicely with a stoma. I have a colostomy with my stoma in a horrid place, just below and to the left side of belly button level and so close to my belly button the baseplate goes into it. At first, I wore my JJill stretch pants, wide band top that I roll down to be below my stoma. Those are nice looking with a long tunic top. I recently ventured into the jean world and found that the LLBeN high waist jeans and slacks are perfect for me. I get one size larger than usual and am happy with where the waistband lies.. no zippers, just pull-ins with a flat front and elastic back. Plenty of room for everything but not frumpy. Dressing well feels good to me. I hope you find the clothes that work. It's exhausting to go to a store and try on clothes, so I order and return often. Another piece of clothing I love is a stylish flouncy mini skirt kinda thing that is worn under your top, over your slacks. It extends a few inches below your blouse and is a fun little something that really hides any gear.

Hope you find what's right for you.