clothing questions

Chriswife
  • By Chriswife · August 14, 2012 at 8:24 am · 51 replies
  • In Clothing
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I have a couple of questions regarding clothing....I have read that people will use "belly bands", etc...doesnt this affect the way the stool moves down the pouch? Do you cover the whole appliance? How does the article of clothing not move the appliance down so it comes unattached? I know these are silly questions, but i dont understand. I wear a two piece, so alot of times it is visible through my clothes(i currently wear a lot of flowy sundresses to try to disguise it)


Thank you!
Kerri

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51 replies   

alan41241

Kerri,
I wear regular clothes. Of course, when I'm not dressed up I wear my shirttail out and the pouch on the outside of my pants. On Sundays when I dress up, my pants are about a size too big in the waist and I wear the pouch inside my pants. I also wear suspenders when I'm dressed up. Now I will say that when I'm seated in a suit I tend to hold the waist of my pants out from my body. Usually, one finger or a thumb will do it. I've never had a pouch come off while I'm dressed. Hope that helps.
Blessings,
Alan

Idahoeagle

Kerri,
Some of those waist bands are worn with the bag turned to the side, rather than vertical. Stool may build up on the stoma when the bag is in that position. I found it decreases wear time to let stool build up and remain over the stoma for long periods of time. However, I like to tuck my shirt in from time to time, so I will wear it that way in order to tuck my shirt in. If I irigate and have little or no output, then I'm a happy camper.
Experiment with this. Be as happy with your dress and clothes as possible.

pjs62

Good Morning!!
I started wearing longer ighter tank tops under shirts to help 'hide' things! lol But I have discovered Trendy Tops....I found it at Walgreens & Walmart besides online. They feel like a tshirt & just make your (under) shirt seem longer, comfy (not too tight), & hides the pouch good. I know Ostomy Secrets have several but more expensive. (but still thinking of getting a lacy one to sleep in lol!!)
Hope this helps!! I'm still experimenting with how I dress....just another 'learning curve' on our new journey!! :)

number9

Kerri,I had the same concerns as you.I bought under briefs from ostomy secrets.com,not much selection for men but alot for women.My briefs are like regular ones,but have a pocket for the appliance.The pocket holds and supports the appliance.The bag will fill up flat instead of filling as a balloon. I have found,you can wear regular clothing and not be as concerned of your appearance and security. I got my ostomy in June 2012,I hope this helps!......Glenn.

dollyme (Inactive)
  • By dollyme (Inactive)
  • Reply 3289795
  • August 14, 2012 at 10:24 am
  • Report post

Great topic, I got some great advice from you all
Thanks
Dolly

Jofa (Inactive)
  • By Jofa (Inactive)
  • Reply 3289838
  • August 14, 2012 at 10:34 am
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Keri, I have a colostomy and wear a two-piece Convatec appliance. I have a long torso and have luckily found underpants that are longer with the elastic at my natural waist. I have, for 17 years, tried to find slacks that are pleated in the front. Very difficult to find now but I still have a couple pair that I got several years ago at Talbot's and/or Land's End. In the summertime I generally wear polo shirts with capris that have an elastic waistband. In the winter I wear loose fitting shirts with long-sleeved sweaters over them and Lee or Chic slacks that have pleats in the front and sit at the natural waist. Because I have neuropathy in my feet and can't wear dress shoes, I seldom wear a skirt as I don't like the appearance of a skirt with SAS oxford shoes and that is what I wear every day. You can order pleated Lee slacks and jeans online and they are not all that expensive - about $30. Hope this is helpful to you. Good luck.

HappyS (Inactive)
  • By HappyS (Inactive)
  • Reply 3289906
  • August 14, 2012 at 10:52 am
  • Report post

Hi Kerri,

Most stomas seem to be positioned right at the belt line so I suppose the answer is high waisted trousers from the 30s. I have tried wearing a belt but have to use braces (Suspenders) because the belt just keeps going under my stoma. I've had a couple of blow-outs caused by my waistband constricting the stoma and I also don't understand how belly bands would not do that. At home I wear trousers with a large waistband. At other times and also for driving I use a stoma guard (Stomaplex make a good one) which I find keeps my waistband from stopping the flow. I've often heard about putting the bag on sideways but don't really see how that would help. There are some good websites offering innovative clothing solutions - but, in my experience the solution is always to do with the waistband.

tjane

I am high waisted so my stoma is probably 4-5 inches below my waiste. I grew up in the late 60 early 70 so my choice of clothes is jeans. So far I have not had a problem with the stoma getting in the way. Sometimes I have trouble with the pouch filling up with air. I have the e-zvent so it is easy to release the air. I guess for all of us it is just trial and error. I pretty much can wear all my cloths from before my surgery so I feel pretty lucky. I have not tried any of the underwear made for ostomates. They sound realy nice.

Chriswife

Thank you for all of the tips!!! I am going to try all of them, it cant hurt and that is how I wll find out what works for my body type:). I am used to wearing fitted shirts tucked into my pants with a jacket (its cold where I work), I may try to wear shirts not tucked in and higher waisted pants to see how that goes. I also like the idea of wearing pants one size bigger. I might have to go shopping;). I am also going to try the ostomysecrets to see what they have going on over there.

Since i left work the beginning of July on leave, I have already cut all of my hair off (went from halfway down my back to pixie type length) so going back with a different clothing style will not shock anyone...lol I have also decided that I am not wearing high heels anymore, they are uncomfortable and that I am now all about being comfortable and doing what works for me instead of wearing what everyone else is wearing. People are going to think I have lost my mind.....lol


Kerri

Chriswife

tjane,

do you have to wear a larger size jeans? Is your stoma underneath your waist? and if so, the jeans just go over it with no problem?
Sorry, I am just tryng to understand if there is anything that is going to hurt me while i "experiement" as I am also still swollen from surgery

scooby74

I wear a size bigger pants with suspenders belts don't work for me they constrict my pouch and wear a tight tee shirt under my shirt and a ostomy belt to help hide everything but only trouble I have is my pouch getting caught in my bedding and getting ripped off even with the belt hate waking up with a mess and having to do laundry in the middle of the night

HappyS (Inactive)
  • By HappyS (Inactive)
  • Reply 3291837 · In reply to 3290149 by Chriswife
  • August 15, 2012 at 4:20 am
  • Report post

Kerri,

A little off topic but you mention high heel shoes. Some years ago I wanted to have a pair of shoes made for my wife and enquired in a well know London shoemaker. The owner told me that he never made shoes for women because the majority of Women have deformed feet. Why? He said that because Women use their toes to keep shoes on their feet their toes get deformed and high heels add to the deformity. As most men wear shoes that are held on the feet they don't have that problem. He added that the best shoes are lace ups as they give perfect support to all parts of the foot. I told my wife who changed to wearing regular shoes and now finds wearing heels for more than an hour or two a real strain.

Chriswife

Happy,

Funny you mention that because I have damage on my second toe from wearing high heels! It is true, we have to grab the shoe with our toes to keep balance. I wore heels to work pretty much every day and now I am donating them all so it should be interesting going back, I will be shorter! lol

tjane

My stoma is positioned below my waist so the jeans waistband do not interfere with my pouch or stoma. I am wearing the same clothes before surgery. But I did loose close to 20 pounds and have gained back about 5. So my jeans are not really tight on me. A size bigger may be just the thing for you. Happy shopping. I don't wearhigh heals anymore either. They hurt my feet. This summer since it is so hot I wear flip flops around the house. lol

herbsgal70

Hi scooby - I sleep with an old pair of underwear over my appliance and a Depends pull-up panty over that. It sounds like you like to sleep "au naturale" - this is the only concession I make to that. If I ever have a blowout during the night it is all contained and I never have had to change the bedding. I just take everything off and throw it away and shower and change to a new appliance. And no, I don't wear Depends ordinarily, but got some for just this purpose. God bless - Marge

TuckerSam

Hi Karri: I had emergency surgery 4 months ago and this is all new to me, but I have found those "trendy tops" to
work quite well. I found mine at Bed Bath and Beyond-----. Good to know about Walgreens
having the trendy tops as well. They fit securely, but not real tight. I did find the higher waist style pant now works
better for me. I feel more secure than the lower cute style jean or slack. I am delighted with all the new trendy full
tops I have purchased. Shopping is fun!!! I have not purchased larger sizes---just style change. It is a trial and error
for success when choosing your clothes. I am finding, by trying them on at the retail shops, I now know if they will work!!!
It is all about investing the time to come up with YOUR comfort zone. It is a personal thing, but it is nice to know what
works for our other friends!!! Happy Shopping!!'. I also found Talbot's have the waist style slack and are great fit .
Hope this helps. Tuckersam



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HeyRed

Lots of great advise. I have an illeostomy, stoma is 3-4 inches lower than my belly button. I have been able to wear all of my regular clothes, jeans, skirts, shorts. I've been able to maintain my weight within 5 lbs or so. My one concession has been to buy some longer tops that are a bit loose thru the middle, but then I'm able to belt them around the waist to still have a neat look for work. I will still tuck blouses in and wear more form fitting knits, but definitely like my longer shirts with the belt. It helps hide the puffiness the bag gets when it needs to be emptied. I wear a 2 piece convatec appliance. I did not buy any special underwear, just wear it over my bikini briefs (they sit under the stoma, instead of on top), tucking the bottom of the bag back up and under the leg of my underwear. It's all about trial and error, and most importantly feeling good about how you look! Good luck, have fun shopping.
I've had good success at Kohl's and Target. I know that stuff from Coldwater Creek & Chico's seem to pretty nice and comfy, if you are looking for more career type wardrobe.

I've had my illeostomy since January of this year and while it was a bit intimidating and scary at first, I've gotten used to it. My surgeon had the foresight to do microsurgery to remove part of my colon and to make my stoma, so my recovery was relatively short. She released me to do what ever I felt like I could after 3 weeks. I've been able to continue all of my regular activities, slowly getting back to horseback riding, bike riding, gardening....the only one I haven't tackled is the bathing suit and swimming. Need to find one that conceals the bag better than my 2 piece suits of the past would LOL. Anyone have suggestions on women's bathing suits?

Lin545

My ostomy nurse suggested tube tops which give just the right support! Sounds almost like the trendy top you have mentioned. I used to wear pretty fitting clothing. Since a bleeding problem while wearing jeans I am very careful not to wear anything to tight. I am very short and about 90 lbs so fitting and finding clothing is a challenge. Especially pants. I love the tube tops and there is another called hip-T. I will also look at trendy top. If anyone finds size 2jeans in with a comfy fit please let me know. jofa I also use lace up very good support shoes so skirts are hard to wear .... But I have given up heels. Have enjoyed reading all of your ideas....it is nice when you can feel good about our clothing choices with our new addition!

HOCKEY

Hi, chriswife I have found a brand of slacks and jeans for men. they are Croft & Barrows. they are sold at Khols department stores.
they are quite unique, they have a waist band that is a little wider than most & also the key feature to these pants is the waist band
gives on the sides of the pants with an expandable fabric they also make summer shorts Walmart sells jeans made by wrangler
they are o k with a flex band. My daughter in law who is (7mospregant) suggest that i try wearing maternity jeans she let me borrow a pair of hers they were fantastic the only draw back for guy's is the pockets have designs on them. She will be going to the store today and will see what they have with plain pockets Hockey

HappyS (Inactive)
  • By HappyS (Inactive)
  • Reply 3292528 · In reply to 3292480 by HeyRed
  • August 15, 2012 at 11:00 am
  • Report post

Hey Red,

Have a look at http://www.ostomylifestyle.org/content/underwear-swimwear-show-2011 which has a lot of products modelled by Ostomates of all shapes and sizes. Although it's a UK based site it may give you some ideas.

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