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Posted 5/9/2007 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
I went to see a stoma nurse today, and she showed me some of the different sorts of bags so I'd have a better idea of what they looked like.

I asked if I could try one on and wear it home (I think she thought I was weird, but I don't care) just to see what it felt like. The only one available was maxi sized and she warned me it was too big, but let me wear it anyway.

It's really uncomfortable - chafes my thighs - and I've folded it up and tucked it into my knickers just to get it out of the way.

Is it uncomfortable because it's too big and the wrong size, or do all bags rub against the legs like this?

I know it's like a bra or any "new" item of clothing and you just have to get used to it, but I can't imagine putting up with this chafing for the rest of my life...


Ivy. eyes
Posted 5/9/2007 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
It could well be the size of the bag that's causing you problems..... or where you've placed it on your abdomen (maybe you've placed it too low, too far to the side, etc).

I wear my bag at an angle pointing in towards my groin area. Others like to wear it so it hangs straight down. I like it at an angle (I wear a midi sized bag) cos it all fits nicely in my underwear and when I empty, I empty between my legs - my bag is already angled just right for this. The right sized bag shouldn't chafe against your thighs or legs.

I think it's a great idea to get the feel for a bag before surgery and always encourage people to do this. I would hope that your nurse decides it's a good idea for her future patients too now that you've given her the idea :)

Good luck.
Posted 5/9/2007 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shaz,

Thanks. I'll swivel it around, and see if it helps. And it's good to know that you wear a midi sized bag. This one seems huge! it's a bit daunting, really.

She stared enough when I asked if I could wear it home. You should have seen her face after that, when I asked if I could try filling it with water and walking around with it full for a while, and then emptying it... LOL.

So it's ok to tuck it into your knickers? It still works effectively?

If I have placed it too low on my abdomen then it's my mistake, right? The surgeons won't make that mistake, and leave me with something that chafes for life?

Ta,

Ivy.
Posted 5/9/2007 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Your stoma nurse will mark the spot for your stoma before surgery Ivy. She'll put it in the best spot after watching you sit, walk, the type of clothes you wear, etc. Also by wearing a bag beforehand you can help her out too :)

As for tucking it in your knickers - yep, that's fine too. Some like to just let it hang, others, like me, like to tuck it all in. I feel more secure that way cos my undies take the weight of the bag as it gets full and helps stop it from pulling away from my skin as a consequence. Whether you're a 'tucker' or a 'hanger' is up to you :) Btw, a poll on another site revealed that the majority of 'tuckers' are women and the majority of 'hangers' are men lol

Filling it with something a little thicker, eg applesauce is probably better to do a test run with. Water tends to erode the wafer faster and cause leakages.

Hope this helps :)
Posted 5/9/2007 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ivy

You should check out all the different ostomy product sites. Hollister actually will send you samples of whatever products you wish. The new image line is great. The bags in this line have a cloth covering they have their own special flanges as well. They have regular size bags (11") and mini size (9"). They come in one piece ans 2 piece.
Posted 5/10/2007 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
hey. that bag sounds really big. i wear a mini and when i'm standing, the bottom of it is still about 4" higher then where my legs start. never had an issue with chafing, and i'm on the treadmill everyday for 40mins.

applesauce is a good idea, but don't fill the bag right up, only make it about 1/3 full...i usually don't like more weight then that, then it's not comfortable. also i put a piece of medical tape at the top of the bag, seems to hold the weight a lot better if you're into any activities

--matt
Posted 5/14/2007 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ivy,

I think it's great that you tried wearing a bag! Now you have some idea of what it will be like and it takes away a bit of the mystery.

Did the bag have a fabric backing? I think that is supposed to help prevent chafing.

Best of luck,
Kerry
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