Is it ok to wear support underwear with an ostomy?

Posted by kimy @kimy, Sep 2 12:00pm

Is it ok to wear tight underwear?? I’ve had 6 abdominal surgeries, therefore no core muscles. Would like to SLIGHTLY flatten stomach in some clothes. I’m eating well and exercising regularly but need help now

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If the underwear is tight how will your pouch fill? Same as jeans. I can't wear either.

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No answer from me. I've basically stopped wearing any at all because in addition to the problem of the stoma, I also now have a Foley catheter and don't want the tube connected to the outside bag...either leg bag or night bag ... to be irritating my other lady parts.

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I wear spanx thinastics when I go out and bali skim skamp briefs which are formfitting I have never had a problem with bag not filling up I also wear leggings a lot with no problems. I tried the panties made for ostomy patients but the elastic on the pocket irritated me Please give it a try because everyone is different I like wearing something tight cause it holds my pouch in place and I hate the belts

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I have tried tight underwear briefly but in my experience it has created discomfort in other areas, binding in my crotch, and my pouch was restricted from filling freely. I try to focus on strengthening my abdominal muscles as much as possible, not easy after 3 surgeries, and consciously pull in my abdomen during daily activities. Stretch fabrics and elastic waistbands have become my standard mode of dress.

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@katey122

If the underwear is tight how will your pouch fill? Same as jeans. I can't wear either.

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I wear my pouch outside my jeans with a shirt that covers it.

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@katey122

If the underwear is tight how will your pouch fill? Same as jeans. I can't wear either.

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You should be able to wear either if they are comfortable for you; your pouch does not have to be under them; it can be over them. I wear jeans several times a week without issues. Your shirt choices could be use to hide your pouch if you are worried about it being visible.

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You may want to try something like the Brava Ostomy Support Belt that can give you support around your stoma area, which you may be looking for as it is tight around your waist. You have to follow the directions and cut the hole for where your stoma is so that the pouch can go through the belt. It is designed for this and works with any provider, not just Coloplast.

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@harrison221

I wear my pouch outside my jeans with a shirt that covers it.

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The placement of my Stoma isn't conducive to wearing my pouch outside of my underwear or jeans. I had emergency surgery so they did the best they could with placement. Jeans or underwear will fall right off my hips.

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I understand. Everyone is different. Mine is about 1/4 inch too low.

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@katey122

The placement of my Stoma isn't conducive to wearing my pouch outside of my underwear or jeans. I had emergency surgery so they did the best they could with placement. Jeans or underwear will fall right off my hips.

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That is unfortunate; maybe you can use a stoma guard product of some kind, not those little velcro kind though they suck, to give some air space around the bag while it is in tighter fighting pants. StomaGear makes a StomaShield product that comes in 3 sizes that could help give you some space. I have all three and can use the longer one to allow me to tuck my bag into my pants when needed, which is rare, but I have done it on a few occasions.

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