Ostomy Belt/Guard Survey! Please respond!

I am moderately active and I haven't used any of those products. What is it that you're looking for extra protection from?

I know a lot of people like belts to help hold the pouch on better. I have heard of some people liking the guards because of where their stoma hits the seat belt in the car. Otherwise, I think of the guards as being for contact sports and such (which I don't participate in).

I run, ride horses, swim, kayak, cut the grass, clean the house...there is more but you get the picture!

The only time I've worn a belt (Hollister) was post op when half my wafer was unattached due to my incision. I did buy a cover about 12 years ago but never used it more than a few times...just impractical.

I do swear by Sure Seals (www.alpglobal.com) and wouldn't go a day without one! I just tuck the tail of my pouch under the cloth like cover and put the pouch inside my undies...holds in place no matter what I'm doing.

It's personal so try a few things but don't think you have to spend a lot of money on "ostomy" products. You'd be surprised at things you can make or even buy at walmart/target that work better!

well I had my first leak at night a few days ago :/ so that's what got me thinking about the belts. also, although I don't really mind the 'something is hanging off of me' sensation - how can I? when my ostomy has saved me from so much UC pain! - but if a belt would minimize that sensation I think I'd feel a lot more normal walking around in the real world and whatnot.

blueglass - my ostomy is pretty close to my belt line - I find that if I wear jeans, when I sit down I have to be very careful that I don't let them ride up & on top of my ostomy because I find that rubbing motion to be pretty uncomfortable... same thing with the seat belt. I've only been a passenger since surgery, but I imagine when I start driving again the added seat belt will just complicate that further.

summer - I've already seen and used the tape trick :P it just doesnt help enough for me

Ron - how did you make your own guard? I know I can get the standard belt free through insurance, but not any guards.

EQ mom - thanks (: I'll look into those Sure Seals too. It looks like Edgepark provides them... and I do like trying free stuff. :3 Although my insurance might not like me to. xD

UC wife - I think a 4" belt would sure be better than a wrap!

1. How active of a lifestyle do you lead?

With my ostomy i had every opportunity to lead a semi active lifestyle but no matter what, the bag affected me socially and mentally in ways i didn't expect.

2. Have you ever tried some type of ostomy belt/guard?

I did use a belt and it may have been the hollister belt. it was just a simple elastic band but it helped me mentally, giving me a sense of security that the bag wouldn't go anywhere.

4. What did you like or dislike about the product(s)?

After a while i could begin to feel the constriction of wearing the belt that i grew to dislike. but it was a small price to pay for the security i felt with it.

5. If you kept one, how often do you wear it? During certain events?

I wore it all the time except in the shower.

6. Is there anything special that I should consider when choosing a product?

Comfort. Just make sure you take comfort into account when deciding

Oh and also:

Crosby- thanks for mentioning that the stealth belt does not agree with curves!! I will definitely not buy one now. my hips are very wide-set... I can just picture it riding up all day.. not good xp

NASCARRon:

You've got to show us that picture..and tell us how to make it! LOL!

I too have looked at belts...I'm glad my insurance company paid for a few, but it was a waste of money.....i'm looking at the stomaplex and stoma armor, but going to get a commitment from the makers that if it doesn't work, I get my money back....my stoma is near my belt-line, and I would love to wear jeans again, but they want to move down on top of my stoma, and it just doesn't feel right...

I lead an active lifestyle. I exercise daily and do as much physical activity as possible.....marathons, cycling tours, walks, volleyball, on the go with 2 growing children.

5 months post op, with steady weight gain, I had to switch from using the stomahesive paste to eakin. This gave me couple more days wear time but wasn't enough for me. Called Convetec and spoke with a WOCN. She gave me their belt, it's rather soft and thin. I got about 5-7 days MORE weartime. I even wear it under my swim suit, it's pretty colorful so you can't see the indentation of the belt.

When wearing jeans, I instituted Summerstorms suggestion last year of taping down the top. It works for me, didn't like the ballooning effect coming through my shirt ontop of my waistband.

I am VERY active. Teach fitness classes,train for triathlon, running everyday and biking and swimming every other day. I couldn't seem to keep appliances on more than one swim day and the next day and then change.

I now use the belt that works with my hollister appliance and find it holds thnigs in place a lot better. I definitelly wear it swimming, yoga and running, anything where body might twist a lot.

Sure seal is great but keeps moisture in underneath if not careful.

Make one of Ron's contraptions and that keeps stoma from getting smashed with big overnight back pack that sits close to stoma (Bubbles is her name)

Theresa
My stoma does not stop me from doing anything I want. I live on a lake in Michigan. I put the dock in in the spring and out in the fall by myself. I swim whenever I want. I shower every day and change about once a week. I do not wear a belt or anything extra. I feel no need.

Dan

The guard is quite impressive. I've had a lot of luck bending plexiglass just popping it in the oven at 300 for 5 min to soften it up depending upon the thickness of the glass, oven mitts and a bit of bending or applying it to a mold. quick and easy. I think this will be a project shortly !

Thanks for the idea !

i am new to this ileostomy thing and am curious.... if you wear a belt or a wrap type thing, wouldn't the pressure of the belt holding the bag in tight next to your body restrict or prevent the poo from dropping into the bag. wouldn't it just cake up around the stoma and get stuck there.

how is there any free room for poos to go into the bag?

I tried a belt and was unhappy with it. I've resigned mysel to the fact that my hips are so prominent that with my stoma at belly-button level, nothing will fit comfortably. My hips push the belt to my waist - which is much higher than my belly button.