After getting your ostomy pouch fixed, you might be worried if it will affect your day-to-day life. Well, in most cases, it will if you do not know how to live with it. The pouch has not been fixed to curtail your movements but rather to enhance them.
So how do you live with it? How can you hide it and prevent it from being conspicuous and attract rather queer questions?
Here are the 1, 2, and 3 of concealing your ostomy bag.
1. Type of Pouch
The first step is to know your kind of bag and then see how you can adapt to it. First and foremost, ostomy bags vary, and therefore some may be more visible no matter how hard you try concealing them. Some pouches, such as 2-piece, extend and stick more from the attachment point; thus, hiding them may prove to be an arduous task. On the other hand, the 1-piece is relatively tiny thus less conspicuous.
With advancements in technology, some 2-piece pouches like ConvaTec’s™ Esteem Synergy work similarly to the 1-piece. This means they are easily concealable, although they are yet to become famous and have a stand-alone selling line. Their other disadvantage is that they are not suitable for people who use urinary stomas. It is thus advisable to always seek counsel from your physician when you decide to change your pouch system.
2. Clothing
Living with a pouch for the rest of your life or the better part may be traumatizing. Nevertheless, you can conceal it by choosing loose-fitting clothing. Your wardrobe should be rich in tracksuits, loose-fitting dresses, pants, and pleated skirts. However, this does not mean your fashion style and preference will be curtailed.
To maintain your sense of style, consider having patterned shirts, tops, and blouses tucked into skirts or pants. The verdict is not a one-fit-all option because it also depends on the position of your bag. If it is above, patterned tops are ideal, but pants and skirts should be your perfect choice if it is below.
For men, opt for suspenders rather than belts and also go for dark-themed pants. These have proven to aid in the concealment of your ostomy bag. For women, consider wearing several layers of clothing such as lycra pants which aid in support and concealment.
If you are a sporting individual, having a pouch is not a ‘death sentence’ to your energy-packed activities. You can continue with them but opt for suitable costumes. If you love swimming and are a man, wear shorts with shorter legs and a longer rise, but if you are using a drainable ostomy, choose flatter clips. Alternatively, you can use newer styles such as Hollister’s™ Lock ‘n Roll.
Another concern is concealment during sexual activity. Although it might be challenging depending on what you agree to do with your partner, they may hinder you if you do not know how to handle them.
For maximum pleasure, choose clothing that is sexual friendly but still gives you some ‘privacy.’ These include the use of tanks tops, crotchless underwear, and cummerbunds which are available through Weir Comfees Catalogues.
3. Frequent Emptying
If you are using ileostomy, it would be good if you track your output volume and frequency. After that, use smaller pouches that will not hinder your fun activity while in the water. Knowing your output will also help you determine how long you can enjoy yourself before emptying. It also helps in making your ostomy less visible.
The ground rule in emptying your pouch is not letting it exceed 1/3 of its capacity.
Ostomy Specialist 