new to board, first timer questions and one specific to bag size

[pete19382]

Howdy folks,

My wife joined the "I have a stoma" club a little over two weeks ago (ileostomy.) The specific problem at the moment is the length of her pouch. She is not tall woman - she's only 5'2", and very little of that is mid-section. The longer bags end up down with the flap hitting her thigh, but the smaller pouch has to be emptied every couple of hours. We are waiting for some underwear to arrive that has a pocket along the front that may help, but any other suggestions would certainly be welcome. Does another manufacturer have something more in the middle?

As a general question, if there is a good "Here are the top 10 questions succinctly answered" thread or FAQ, I'd love a pointer to it. I've poked around but just can't seem to find it.

I can't tell you how thankful I am to have found this site. Years ago, I was the technical support for a website for recovering alcoholics. I know how valuable this support can be.

Thanks to all, and, by coincidence, Happy New Year!
Pete

[NEskier]

I don't know the brand being used (and try all kinds to see what is best, most manufacturers will give samples) but I've been using Convatec since 1984 with no change. (that's lucky). I am a good bit taller than wife at 5'7" but I only use your a 10 inch pouch. I keep 12 inch ones in case I get sick or something but I haven't used one in several years.

I have never worn special underwear! Mostly I wear Jockey Elance hi cut. In the summer when I'm sailing I wear a stretchy thong which dries faster. When I first started out I wore panties with a bit of support but found they sometimes caused pancaking. Never to the point of losing a flange but enough to be uncomfortable. As I healed I regained muscle tone anyway.

I can't stand the feel of the pouch hanging or any where near my thighs so I just fold the tail end under and tuck it in my underwear. It folds just before the thigh crease. I do the same thing with swim suits. I just wear regular gear with patterns and a front lining.

All that said, this all happened pre-Internet. I'm sure for me that was a good thing as I had to muddle about a bit on my own. I was blessed with a great nurse at the hospital who showed me how to apply, remove and trouble shoot my gear. And I am truly blessed to have had very few issues. Not everyone is so lucky and then this IS the place to work things out. I think back at the start if I had read online about things I 'shouldn't do with an ostomy' I might have missed a lot of fun and definitely some of the sports.

So welcome to the club. Be patient and allow time to heal and learn. Best wishes and Happy New Year! And welcome your wife to join, too!

[Mara]

I , on the other hand from NEskier with whom I usually agree...lol, use a 12 inch pouch - I just measured it to double check!! I am about 5' tall. My pouch fits into my underwear with no problem - I wear a cotton brief type when at home and around the neighborhood. When I go out a distance away I usually wear a light weight elasticized panty. Also I wear mostly leggings so those also hold everything in place....

Happy New Year and best wishes for your wife's speedy recovery!!

[NEskier]

@Mara - egads! I think that is the first time we have veered off agreement in a few years!!!

[Jimbob]

Try this site for FAQ's

And welcome to the Board.

[Mara]

@Mara - egads! I think that is the first time we have veered off agreement in a few years!!!

Exactly! I actually searched a few of your posts just to make sure that you were the person with whom I usually agreed....

[pete19382]

Thanks folks. I should have mentioned that we are currently using Hollister products, though we certainly will reach out to the other suppliers for their samples. For the Hollister, long is about 10". (I'm assuming one measured with the tail folded up.)

@Jimbob, did you plan to have a link in there (which I can't see) or just suggesting I continue prowling these forums?

The first pair of specialty underwear arrived and, aside from being a size too small, has pleased my wife. The pocket that runs along the inside keeps it from hanging low, keeps it off her skin and provides support. If anyone is interested, we ordered them from ostomysecrets.com. They ain't cheap, and they seem to have limited inventory, but hopefully that latter part is just a temporary situation (COVID seems to have impacted everything else; why not them?)

Also a note to the board administrators. When I posted that first message, the site told me I would be notified when my submission was approved and posted. I never got that notification. If one of the moderators knows who to forward that note along to, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[Mara]

Hi pete19382, glad your wife liked the underwear.

I also use Convatec pouches - forgot to mention above.

As far as FAQs that Jimbob mentioned... not sure...but have you perused the ostomy.org site - lots of info there....

[To Dream a Dream]

Hi Everyone (so good to see active posting again) & Happy New Year to All:
I have rather a short lower abdominal area, too, & usually wear lightweight pantyhose with a non-constricting panty top (usually ordered as Regular not Contour). I even cut off & save a few when the stocking parts have worn out for under shorts or even a swimsuit.

[pete19382]

Okay - the underwear isn't working out as well as I initially hoped. They just don't seem to fit my wife. As another alternative, I've seen wraps advertised, and from what I can tell from the pictures, folks either wear longer wraps that extend beyond the pelvis and leave the bag hanging straight down or wear a somewhat narrower wrap that stays above the pelvis and position the bag at an angle across the abdomen. Anybody got any experience trying this? And perhaps more importantly do you recommend it. Any reason not to try this?
Thanks

[Mara]

I would search online for a lightweight tummy control brief - that is like what I use but I haven't bought any recently and can't find a receipt...but they aren't expensive at all.....personally I never tried 'ostomy' underwear or any kind of wrap.....I have peculiar ideas...lol...and they seemed like a con to me...sorry, don't mean to upset anyone.....

Since I have had my ostomy for so long I guess none of those items were available back in the day and I just learned to make due with ordinary, everyday items....

[garbled modwit]

I'm 5'4' and my bag measures 11" (9" when tail tucked). Over the years I have tried many, many, underwear styles specifically made for Ostomates. The best in IMHO are made by Comfizz. www.comfizz.com These have no pocket and are made of form fitting material - I just fold the pouch opening up. They are excellent and very well made. I wouldn't wear anything else now.
I don't know where you are located but these products come from the UK but delivery is surprisingly quick over to the Pacific NW.

Good Luck!

Sue

[garbled modwit]

Forgot to mention that the ones I buy from Comfizz are the 'High waist boxers Level 1 support!
Sue

[pete19382]

Thanks Mara -- I'll swing by a Target or something and pick up a pair. I like inexpensive solutions when I can find them.

Thanks Sue -- I've ordered one of the boxers and one of the briefs. Appreciate the suggestion. We're over near Philly, but I would expect delivery time to be about the same pretty much anywhere in the US.

Yes, I'm trying anything and everything at this point

[jstl]

Hi,
I'm 5 ft tall and have had my ileo for about 45 years, since my teens. I use 10" pouches and tend to position my pouch at a very slight angle away from midline, fold the clamped end one or two times, stick it inside my regular underwear, and it's fine. This only works with briefs for me - bikinis constrict the pouch at a disadvantageous spot and cause a backup at the top. Very often though, I just fold the pouch and pull up my pants/slacks (best if there's a pleat, but out of style) so underwear is between me and my pouch, and that's it. I've never liked 'extra stuff' like wraps around the pouch and for me they sometimes created more problems than they solved and make me feel restricted in moving (and I have a very physically active job). I've been lucky in not needing them.
For people who need support for the pouch or dislike feeling like it's moving around, in addition to what's already been suggested by others, some people have used: a long camisole top to support the pouch; cut a band out of a snug t-shirt and wear that over the pouch (that worked for me for a while -also a tube top); or a Belly Band (in the maternity section at target or Walmart often, and likely less expensive than made-for-ostomy neoprene wraps). Just some extra ideas....