UOAA Discussion Board

Thanks jstl - I appreciate all of the suggestions!

Hi Pete and All,

I'm fairly new here. Lurked for a while and just recently started posting. I'm always experimenting with new fashion ideas.

My ileostomy surgery was in March of last year, so I'm fairly new to the whole ostomy fashion world, but I have found the Stealth Belt to be a wonderful (almost life-saving) addition to my wardrobe. It's not perfect--it's not cheap (some people might be able to get some reimbursement through insurance, the people at stealth belt will answer insurance questions if you have them). It supports/secures better than anything else I've tried and it keeps the pouch away from my skin; I can't really stand tucking the bag in (I can't stand clothing tags either--I'm just very sensitive in that way). The people who operate the site are very helpful, you can ask them anything about measuring, flange size, bag orientation (some folks like to wear the pouch more horizontally, some more vertically--they have belts for both). I have found some, slightly less expensive, knock-off belts on etsy, but they're not as well made. I have purchased a couple, so I can rotate if one gets soiled. I work with young children, and these belts help me feel confident no matter how I have to position myself.

I always recommend a couple of young Youtubers whose reviews and product demos I have found to be *so* helpful as I've experimented with supplies and accessories for my new body style. Vegan ostomy is one, and Front butt youtube another. There are probably others. You can watch their helpful videos and leave questions in their comment section.

I receive no compensation for these recommendations, lol.

https://www.veganostomy.ca/videos/ (this is his website where you can link to his videos)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLP4r6 ... uz-VQBHN3Q (The Front Butt YouTuber)
https://www.stealthbelt.com

I wish you the best as you explore this new chapter for you and your wife! She's blessed to have you!
~Pat

Thanks Pat,
Another good looking solution - we appreciate it! If I may ask, do you wear your pouch vertically or horizontally?
Again, many thanks, to you and all who have offered their advice and support!

Hi Pete,
Vertically so far, but I just bought another discounted stealth belt through etsy, and this one is for horizontal wear. I wear a 2 piece Hollister which can be turned in either direction. So far the Hollister (Flextend, precut barrier) products are the best for fit, durability, and skin health for me. I also use their Adapt CeraRing Barrier.
~Pat

Welcome to the Discussion Board, Pete19382,

This is a terrific site for info AND optimism and I apologize for being a No-Show for several months. Happy New Year to you and your wife, too.

I had a colostomy decades ago but had to have that changed to an ileostomy. I've become used to wearing a pouch -- and uhhh, even an irrigation sleeve below my knee due to high output. I had experimented with the ostomy underwear and other accessories (and probably should wear an ostomy belt which helps to prevent hernias). I guess we can get used to just about anything.

However, I do agree that the Comfizz underwear feels wonderful and offers mild support -- but I don't think it really can help your wife in terms of feeling the pouch. I use Convatec only because I think its irrigation sleeve is the most reliable but I think Hollister pouches tends to be softer on the skin. Someone once told me to wear a stretchy tube top around my abdomen to provide soft pressure and I guess one could put the tail of the pouch underneath that tube top or any other kind of "band-like" covering or a wrap that you can find at different sites.

There are also pouch covers but I've found them inconvenient. I just saw that you can buy them at Etsy.com (not an ostomy site) -- and many other websites. Etsy often offers personalized products and may be able to sell your wife a longer covering. I found this: Ostomy BAG COVER ileostomy Hollister 8331 & 18132 + 18133 colostomy Open end for emptying pouch women men unisex Convatec 401512 Stoma port LOVEableQuiltings $9.59 $15.99 (40% off)

Others may have different experiences. Definitely call or email manufacturers to get different samples.

I imagine you could use plastic paper clips or something along those lines to keep the pouch folded up but that could create leakage or prevent the stool from reaching the bottom and be uncomfortable. Others may have more imaginative answers. I'm actually trying to find longer high-output pouches that work best and I really don't feel the pouch after a while -- unless there is leakage.

I've had some luck finding some answers at youtube. You might try that.

As far as getting a notification that your message has been posted, I don't THINK that this discussion group provides that option. You can contact the webmaster, Bob Baumel, whose identifying info -- Web Tech -- is at the top of the discussion board. Just click on it. He's super responsive. Just check back after posting to ensure it posted. I've learned to COPY what I've written in case I made an error and it didn't post. You can write a draft or use other options to "save" your post because after a certain period of time as you are posting, you can no longer post the message if it's long. See Full Editor & Preview below.

Welcome and good luck!

Hi Pete,

As Diane tried to reply to your question about notification when posting, I'll provide some information. Your question actually referred to the first message you posted. This discussion board is configured so initial posts by a newly registered user require approval by a moderator before the message displays on the board. In your case, you posted your first message at about 9 PM (Eastern time) on Dec 31 and our records show that a moderator approved it at about 10 AM the next morning, at which time the message would have become visible on the board. Our system probably tried to send you an email notification at that time. If you didn't receive it, there may have been some glitch in the email system.

Meanwhile, Diane's reply referred to issues that can happen to an established board user (not specifically a newly registered user), as a message may fail to post if you take a sufficiently long time composing it. The basic problem is that, even if you're busily composing a message, our software doesn't know you're actively using the board and it may think you've become inactive. To avoid this problem, if you know you're posting a long message, there are two basic approaches: (1) Compose your message offline in a word processor or text editor and then copy & paste it into a posting window; or (2) as Diane wrote, be sure you're using a full composition window ("Full Editor & Preview" instead of "Quick Reply") and then periodically, maybe every 10 minutes or so, click the "Preview" button, which lets our software know you're still there.

Thanks, Bob! I didn't know all of what you posted. Interesting! Am sure this will help Pete.

Diane C.

Diane - thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions. We appreciate them.

Bob - thanks for the technical details!

Pete

Diane: Great to see you back aboard! I've missed your posts as I'm sure have many others.
Bob: So that is why my lengthy rambling posts often disappear out into Cyber space! Hopefully, I can keep them more under control now.
Pete: Good to have you participating in our discussions. Hoping our members have helped you.

More than welcome, Pete. I see you posted another question. I'll try to answer that later but my reply may not pertain to your wife's condition. This board has so much valuable info with compassion and humor.

Thanks, To Dream. I mean to be more active up here. Maybe I should put an entry in my calendar! Hope you are doing well.