Can you wear tight jeans with a stoma?

Women's clothing
If your stoma is near your waist, avoid tight pants, skirts or belts that sit directly over the stoma. You may feel more comfortable wearing pants or skirts with a higher or looser waistband, or with an elastic waistband.


Can I wear jeans with a stoma?

You may wish to keep your clothing loose for the first couple of weeks, because your tummy may feel uncomfortable. But the good news is that in a few weeks, you should be able to wear your usual clothes. Wearing tight-fitting clothes will not affect your stoma.

Can you wear leggings with an ostomy?

Leggings were the first proper item of clothing I wore post-surgery and I've not looked back since! Top tip – high waisted black gym or yoga leggings are insanely comfortable, flattering and supportive.


What clothes can I wear with a stoma?

High-waisted pants, shorts, and skirts cover your stoma and provide full coverage over your pouch. Make sure your pants or skirts fit comfortably over the pouch, but aren't too snug. If the bottom is extremely tight, it may block outflow from filling the bag and cause a bulge or leak. Loose-fitting Clothes.

How do you wear jeans with an ostomy?

If your stoma is near your waist, avoid tight pants, skirts or belts that sit directly over the stoma. You may feel more comfortable wearing pants or skirts with a higher or looser waistband, or with an elastic waistband.


Ostomy clothing guide for men



Can you wear normal clothes with a stoma?

There are specialist stoma underwear, swimwear and clothing companies that produce clothing for people with stomas but this is not necessary to purchase or wear – your usual clothing should be suitable.

Can I wear jeans with an ileostomy?

Make sure your clothes are not too tight around the bag.

You may need to be careful that waistbands do not rest below the stoma restricting ability to drain into your pouch. Depending on stoma placement, you may feel more comfortable with high- or low-rise waistband items, like underwear, jeans, or activewear.

Are you classed as disabled if you have a stoma bag?

Yes. As a general rule, if you have a colostomy bag that makes it difficult to work, you'll qualify as disabled. If your colostomy bag is functioning well or if you expect to have it reversed within the year, you probably won't qualify.


What should you avoid with a stoma?

Some foods can swell in the bowel and may cause a stoma blockage.
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The following foods are known to increase the risk of food blockages, so extra care should be taken:
  • Nuts.
  • Coconut.
  • Celery.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Sweetcorn.
  • Raw fruit skins.
  • Bean sprouts and bamboo shoots.
  • Dried fruit such as currants and raisins.


Should I shave around my stoma?

Hair under the pouch can make the skin inflamed. To avoid this, shave off any hair around the stoma with an electric razor. Always shave away from the stoma. Allergies to skin barriers can make the skin itch, burn, or sting.

Do you have to sleep on your back with stoma?

The best position to sleep in when you have a stoma is on your back, or on your side. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, this will be fine at the beginning of the night but increases the chances of leaks as the night progresses and your bag fills.


How long does it take to recover from having a stoma bag fitted?

Your stoma nurse or surgeon will give you advice about activities to avoid while you recover. Most normal activities are usually possible within 8 weeks, although you'll often be advised to avoid more strenuous activities for about 3 months.

How much can you lift with a stoma?

Most doctors will give you a lifting restriction of 10 pounds to avoid hernias around your ostomy. If you participate in a contact sport such as football, wresting, or karate let your Page 2 ostomy nurse or your doctor know. You may require a support binder with a cover for your stoma.

Can you lie on your front with a stoma?

The most popular positions amongst ostomates tends to be on your back or on your side. While sleeping on your front is considered the most comfortable by many, it can put pressure on your stoma and bag which can cause problems. Therefore, it's a good idea to get used to sleeping on either your back or your side.


Why does my stoma bag keep blowing up?

If your current stoma bag has a filter and you are still experiencing ballooning problems, it may be suffering from excess wind. Spicy foods, some particular vegetables (onions, cabbages, peas, and beans) and fizzy drinks have been known to increase wind, so we would recommend avoiding these in your diet.

What are the three major problems associated with having a stoma?

Some people with an ileostomy experience problems related to their stoma, such as:
  • irritation and inflammation of the skin around the stoma.
  • narrowing of the stoma (stoma stricture)
  • a section of the bowel pushing through the opening in the skin (stoma prolapse)


Can I shower without my stoma bag?

You can bathe or shower with or without wearing your pouching system. Normal exposure to air or water will not harm or enter your stoma. If you're showering without your pouch, remove the skin barrier too.


Can you drive a car with a stoma?

You should wait until at least six weeks after your surgery before you start driving again. Having a stoma will not affect your driving ability, but it is wise to check with your motor insurer as policy conditions vary. If you find the seat belt is uncomfortable across your stoma try fitting a 'Klunk clip' device.

Why do you gain weight with an ileostomy?

Many people gain unwanted weight following stoma surgery due to changes made to their diet in an effort to control their output. Sometimes, the changes to our body image can affect self esteem which can lead to more emotional eating (read Sophie's article on emotional eating here).

How can I hide my ostomy bag?

Wearing multiple layers of clothes can also help to minimize the visibility of a pouch. Swimming is often a concern, as those with ostomies feel that the pouch will be highly visible under snug bathing suits. Again, choosing a bathing suit with dark colors and/or a pattern will help to conceal the pouch.


What can you not do with a colostomy bag?

Avoid applying products that contain alcohol as they can cause dry skin. Do not use skin products made with oil. They will make it difficult for the pouch to stay attached. If you have hair on the skin surrounding the ostomy, you may need to keep it shaved so the pouch will stick.

How many times should you change a stoma bag?

Colostomy bags and equipment

Closed bags may need changing 1 to 3 times a day. There are also drainable bags that need to be replaced every 2 or 3 days. These may be suitable for people who have particularly loose poos.

How often should you change a stoma pouch?

Change your pouch every 5 to 8 days. If you have itching or leakage, change it right away. If you have a pouch system made of 2 pieces (a pouch and a wafer) you can use 2 different pouches during the week. Wash and rinse the pouch not being used, and let it dry well.


Is stoma surgery a major operation?

A colostomy is a major surgery. As with any surgery, there are risks of allergic reactions to anesthesia and excessive bleeding. A colostomy also carries other risks, such as: damage to nearby organs.