HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Experiences with different stoma guards?

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/17/2013 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am planning on keeping my end ileo for good and am starting to try out different ostomy guards, which come with their own belts and are deaigned to be worn underneath clothing. The two types that seem to get good reviews are the ones from stomaplex, and the Ostomy Armor brand. The stomaplex guards require you to specify a heightor depth of the guard as well as other data, whereas the ostomy armor models seem to be ine size fits all except for specifying waist size.

I was wondering if many if you use them and have any recommendations- I realize those with temporary stomas going for jpouches woukdnt bither soending the money but in my case I will likely try out multiple types to compare for comfort and ease of use. For me it will be a mustlong term as my stoma sits either ruight below, on , or just below my pant belt line and I also need it for seat belt use (right now I have been uaing a cushion as a temporray fix when driving).
Posted 7/17/2013 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
just curious - why do you think you need one?

I often have waistbands hit right at my stoma and ALWAYS have the seatbealt over the thing. No problems ever.
Posted 7/17/2013 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
If we're talking about the same thing, this is what I use. Can hardly tell I'm wearing the bag with this puppy on...

http://www.vitalitymedical.com/stomasafe-classic-ostomy-support-garments.html
Posted 7/17/2013 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
@ddd- well, my stoma is about an inch long. It empties nicely into the bag, but if I wear my pant beltline of my jeans right on or just above or below it squishes the stoma down and can pinch off the flow into the bag if it is just below. I dont want to wear baggy pants (which would fall down in any case if not belted tight). When i wear my pre-surgery pants it just doesnt feel cmfortable for me there without protection- ditto for the seat belt.

@TheDuque- thanks- I have tried some ostomy underwear and they will be useful for eliminating the problem of the waist band cutting off flow into the bag, but it doesnt solve the issue of protecting the stoma.

Lastly, I am active in various sports and outdoor hobbies want to ensure the stoma is not injured.
Posted 7/18/2013 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Pro, re the seatbelt, just pull the belt out so it fits comfortably around you and put a clothes peg up the top where the belt goes into the door. That way, it won't slide back into the door and tighten around you yet you'll still have the protection of the seat belt.
Posted 7/18/2013 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
I do a significant amount of outdoor sports, activities with no stoma protection. I think if I did karate or ice hockey I might use a guard. But other than that.. I just don't see how anything can hurt a stoma.

also i don't understand the waistband cutting off the flow into the bag. Where is it going then? And how is my bag filling up when I wear a seat belt, skinny jeans, or tight running shorts?

My point is just that those stomas are rugged little buggers that can do well on their own! But hey.. if you think you need a guard, belts or whatever..., no problem. Hope you find something that is comfortable for you.

Post Edited (ddd45) : 7/18/2013 7:27:22 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/18/2013 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again, ddd. Perhaps I am a wimp re. my little bugger- I just dont find it comfy being squeezed. Re flow, however, I have noticed that underwear (non ostomy underwear) or low rise jeans will cutoff the flow below whereit pinches the bag just below the stoma, if, as is usually the case, my stool is mushy/semi-formed and not liquid. But it's nice to know it can take plenty of physicial abuse. May I ask, how long is yours, approximately?

@shaz- thanks fir the seatbelt tip- will give it a try.
Posted 7/18/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
For contact sport I woudl feel more comfortable with a guard. I'm hoping to run 1/2 marathon someday so I'm looking into the Stealth Belt. Maybe this will work for you too?

http://stealthbelt.com/

Posted 7/21/2013 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
I use the stomaplex guard at work. I work in semi trailers loading and unloading. I have to worry about falling boxes. Stacks of boxes falling over. Bumping into things in dark spaces. Things like that. I wouldn't go in there without protection. The stomaplex works great. I've had things bounce off it and it did it's job. And did it well. I don't wear it at home much. Just at work mostly. I use the LooPo Seat Belt Tension Adjuster I bought at Amazon to keep seat belts slightly loose and not against the stoma in my car when I'm not wearing the stomaplex guard. Which is usually the case when I'm home.

http://www.amazon.com/LooPo-Seat-Belt-Tension-Adjuster/dp/B008JYXYNY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1374366956&sr=8-7&keywords=seatbelt+adjuster.

Or put seatbelt adjuster in Amazon's search box for other manufacturers.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply