I just watched a few more videos on the subject and it seems that I just have to invest in a stoma guard. Then I can belt right on top if it. 

Im still in my hospital bed and have only even changed my bag twice (and I didn't even do it, the nurses did) so this is all still so incredibly foreign to me. 

Ill keep the search on. Really happy to see the number of videos and articles available.

The stoma will continue to work however squashed it gets, the problem that you may have is that if the bag is constricted the output has nowhere to go and that's when the output may start going underneath the base of the bag and leaks start.

The stoma guards are ok if the stoma is  right on the waistband, but I found that they only really worked for liquid output, if it's thick it tends to accumulate around the guard.

Whether you wear the bag over or under the jeans is purely down to preference and trial and error. I wore jeans which were low cut so that my stoma was above the waistband. I kept the bag outside and also wore a Comfizz band over the top to keep the bag covered and supported.

Posted by: Chris

 

Where do I want my jeans belt sitting compared to the stoma, above or below?

You don't get to decide that ;) 

If the belt line naturally sits at or below the stoma, then a guard can help (taller/wider guards, not "round" ones). Sarah is right though, guards tend to work better if the output is loose or liquid or else you'll end up with "pancaking" and possibly leaks.

One advantage to using a guard (as opposed to just tucking your bag under the belt) is that it doesn't "pinch" your bag and it allows your output better access to the bottom of your bag.

I wear my bag sideways and the belt sits a few inches below my stoma and it's not a problem.

If the belt line is above your stoma, then you may be able to wear your jeans normally with your bag under it. Note that this may require that you empty the bag more often, especially if you wear tighter jeans!

If you can get your bag to simply dangle over your jeans, then that's fine too.

I want to mention that if you went into surgery a little underweight, don't invest in any accessories until your weight normalizes. Chances are that your body will change a little and that could change how your jeans fit.

Thanks for all that info! My output is thickening up from the first week but I really don't know what thick or thin output is. 

Can it be related to food? Like thin would be water up to tomato juice and thick would be penutbutter. Or is that too thick to expect?

probably tastes different but I'd guess mine is currently like a thick pea soup. Is that a "thick" output?

Id typically want to order everything today so I have it when I get home but I'll definitely take your advice and wait a while. I guess I'm not going to be going out for any jogs anytime soon anyway.

I'll check out those comfittz band too, among others.

thanks again.

Posted by: Chris

...but I really don't know what thick or thin output is. 

Can it be related to food? Like thin would be water up to tomato juice and thick would be penutbutter. Or is that too thick to expect?

probably tastes different but I'd guess mine is currently like a thick pea soup. Is that a "thick" output?

Sounds like I need to write an article about this ;) 

For ileostomates, I'd probably classify it like this:

Liquid output has the consistency of water, juice, canola oil, beer, etc.

Loose output would be like runny oatmeal, a smoothie, creamed corn, etc.

Thick output would be like regular oatmeal, peanut butter, pizza dough, play dough, etc.

Who's hungry? LOL

Consistency may change from day to day or even between meals. Your body will adjust a little in the months/years following surgery, so it may start off as liquid and end up loose or thicker at some point (assuming everything else has remained unchanged). 

Food and beverages play a huge role in what determines consistency, but some people may always have liquid output (for example) if they've had their small bowel resection.  

Beware of beetroot, a few hours later the colour of your output will make you think that you are dying from an intestinal haemorrhage 

Yes.. beetroot is shocking. But you will get a good idea of house fast things are moving!

Also, when you are figuring your new improved ideal best weight. I think that your now lost colon (which you have now fondly kissed goodby...yuck.) weighed about 5 pounds. I asked my stoma nurse this question when I was still in hospital after my colectomy...she looked it up ( no one had ever asked her before) and thats what she found out. I was still to out of it to ask where this info was obtained. But interesting factoid nonetheless.

I hope you are recovering!

as always...my apologies for the typos. Gag!

I've decided to name my stoma "The Vitamix"

I may even write a recipe book. ( Or is that taking it too far?)

I think I'm more in the loose arena right now - creamed corn. But I'm only getting used to food now. I was on a TPN for a week before surgery and had no food intake. So everything is just starting to normalize now. I hope.

Anyway, this is all great to know as I consider  all the accessories I'll be interested in. 

Thanks again, it's really comforting speaking to people in the know:)

ha! "The Vitamix" sounds fantastic! 

When you're ready to share some smoothie or blended soup recipes, you know where to find us =)

I put on jeans and a belt for the first time today. Unfortunately, it seems the belt line is just at and below my stoma. I can sort of pull the top of my jeans down and hook it under the lip of the two piece, but I'm really visualizing the constant upward pressure unhooking the two piece. Anyone else have a location similar? Am I being paranoid? 

I've been wearing them all day and I haven't had an issue. Plus this is day three or four with my wafer, so maybe I'm just new and ignorant.  

I might try to clean or duct tape my clear bag up (keep what I had for lunch a secret) and take a picture to clarify what I'm dealing/concerned with.

Basically, is "prying up on the wafer" a typical concern for ostimates? Or did I just make that problem up?

Chris

Feel free to post a photo, Chris. It may or may not be an issue for you. It's possible for bags to detach if they're tugged on the wrong way, but I tend to avoid having the belt on top of my bag/flange.