Community Forums

Ostomy Accessories ...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Ostomy Accessories Guide: Hernia Belts

20 Posts
7 Users
9 Likes
2,551 Views
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  
wpf-cross-image

Let's talk about hernia belts!

My full article on this topic can be found by clicking the link below.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
Quote
(@elsieron)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1
 

I've heard that one surgeon has suggested NOT using a hernia belt. He feels that the abdominal muscles need to be worked to regain their ability to carry out their function of supporting the abdomen. He felt that these muscles are hindered in fulfilling this function if a hernia belt is doing the supporting. Is this a commonly held view?


   
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

That is not a commonly held view, and the current evidence doesn't support that theory (no pun intended).

The standard for hernia prevention has been, among other things, regular (gentle) abdominal exercise and support across the abdominal wall.

Here's a study that looks at an intervention program to help reduce the incidence of parastomal hernias and the results speak for themselves : https://caet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/caet-parastomal-hernia-02.pdf

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
LK reacted
ReplyQuote
(@Heidi Bookenstock)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1
 

My daughter wears a hernia belt. As she keeps growing, w have to keep getting her new ones, but we have trouble finding the right size. It's a great idea to speak directly with a manufacturer to find her correct size, or to have her stoma nurse take her measurements.


   
LK reacted
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

Hello, Heidi!

Your daughter will definitely want to be measured by a stoma nurse. I find that if hernia belts are just slightly off, they can not only be ineffective but may also create new difficulties.

I wish her all the best!

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
LK reacted
ReplyQuote
(@Marilyn Hargrove)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1
 

You should apply the hernia belt while lying and the bowel is reduced behind the faschia. That way the belt can help keep the bowel were it belongs.
You know the hernia is reduced if the abdomen is soft and flat around the stoma.
Thanks


   
GoatHerder and LK reacted
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

This is a good tip for someone who might have a large hernia. Thank you for brining that up. For hernia prevention, this isn't necessary and I personally find it more uncomfortable to put the belt on while laying down because when I stand or sit it's not longer in an ideal placement.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
LK reacted
ReplyQuote
(@Leslie Williams)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Hi my name is Leslie and I have a colostomy bag due to dicerticulitis. Ive developed a cough and now I have a hernia. I bought a hernia belt but it is big enuf for my stoma which is 2 1/4 wide but with the belt im not sure how to wear it. I know this is dumb but i dont quite know howcto wear it. No instructions were enclosed. Uts from China.


   
ReplyQuote
(@bubbles)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 244
 

I wear a New Hope belt to the gym for preventing hernias . I put it on while standing . I find it comfortable. 


   
VeganOstomy reacted
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

Hi Leslie, 

Do you have a photo that we can see of this hernia belt? I have several here at home and they are all slightly different in how you put them on. Some have stretchy material and some do not. I put them on in slightly different ways. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
ReplyQuote
(@Lindsay Kennedy)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

I just started wearing my Nu-Hope hernia belt yesterday. Silly question but I cannot remember if the plastic ring on the belt goes above or below the plastic belt tabs on the flange. I am guessing above...


   
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

Hi Lindsay, not a silly question at all. It should go over the flange and tabs if it's comfortable. Some people cut the tabs off.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
LK reacted
ReplyQuote
 LK
(@dlkfiretruck)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1460
 

@Lindsay Kennedy...Hi Lindsay & Welcome to VO!

Here, no question whatever   the situation is ever dumb, silly, stupid...or however you anyone may choose to label it.  We are all figuring these things out & it is very helpful when a question is asked & answered. We all learn from each other. Sharing ideas & how  others worked out a difficult or frustrating  situation, picking & choosing & trying different ideas that may work best for each of us,  is what this is all about. Tho Eric wonderfully provides a bounty of information, sometimes one may need a boost of encouragement or help simply figuring something out, and this is where we all come in.  You are more then welcome to share what you find worked for you when another has a situation they too are struggling with. 

Please do not be shy.  It is overwhelming to be fresh out of the Hospital &  or dealing with so many issues no matter how long we have had our stomas.  Feel free to ask anything you need answered & we'll do our best to answer if it applies to the situation at hand. 

All the best to you or anyone as we all  landed  head first into this reality. Here, we are not alone!! 

Linda


   
ReplyQuote
 Ron
(@Ron)
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Hi. I'm a fairly new ostomate and one of the first things I noticed after getting a colostomy was a huge lack of information at least, at least for me. Your site and videos have been a big help. Thank you. I have a question regarding abdominal binders and hernia belts. I have MS and use a wheelchair and have lost most of my abdominal muscles/strength so I think that the fact that the are near my stoma has become herniated probably shouldn't have been a surprise but it was for me because no one told me to do anything special. I have started wearing just a simple abdominal binder with some success. I say some success because luckily I haven't had any leakage or related problems but I do have problems with the dumb thing riding up and if I'm not paying attention suddenly I'm wearing a strapless bra instead of an abdominal binder. So my question is, Does anyone make a binder that will stay in place or should I think about a hernia belt?


   
ReplyQuote
Bill Bell
(@bago)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 68
 

I don't have a hernia, but as protection against it, I have used Nu Hope belts.  They have a plastic ring that will not slip.  Keeps my bag in place and lets me not worry about getting a hernia. 

They are covered by health insurance at two a year.  At one point they gave me one a month, then they figured out the rules ?.

Bill
Ulcerative Colitis... Ileostomy June 2016


   
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

Hey Ron, try to find a binder that has some kind of grippy side to it (usually silicone), which should help to stop it from riding up. Many hernia belts for ostomates will have something like that as slippage is pretty common. Good luck!

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
ReplyQuote
LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 532
 

Ron, I know what you mean. I often wear a cami made of stretch fabric, and sometimes they do roll up. One of the reasons I don’t use a wrap or belt is that I think they would roll up. I have thought that if I buy a wrap I would add two straps at the bottom, several inches apart, that would go on each side of the groin. I would likely use bias tape for these (I sew, so I have a lot of stuff like that around). Of course, the wrap would have to be put on like a pair of pants and pulled up.

Just an idea.

Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
john68 reacted
ReplyQuote
LLNorth
(@llholiday)
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 532
 

PS. So with the straps the wrap would be sort of like an upside-down cami.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention. I read once that the first athletic bra was invented by two women who turned a men’s athletic supporter upside down and modified it.

Colostomy 4/30/18.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.


   
ReplyQuote
 KT
(@KT)
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Mum has Ostomy(80+) and has developed a large parastomal hernia due to the inability to wear the belt for long period because of severe back issues. Has anyone seen other options that don’t wrap so tightly around the abdomen and lower back.
Past prevention but needs support to function - walking, sitting.
Thanks for your input.


   
ReplyQuote
VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
Topic starter  

Hi KT, because hernia belts are designed to support the hernia, they do tend to be pretty stiff/tight to do their job.

I would suggest having your mum consult with a stoma nurse, who may be able to fit her for a support product that works better for her needs.

There are quite a few different options that range in flexibility, coverage, firmness, etc., and they tend to work better if they are properly fitted.

I'm sure that a stoma nurse would be able to find one that will help your mum be more comfortable with daily tasks.

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
ReplyQuote