While there are many clothing options for women who have an ostomy, it’s not so easy for men. Surprisingly, I haven’t found many resources which deal with men’s clothing challenges, so I’m hoping this post helps you guys out.
Attention Ladies: I’ve published a guide for dressing with an ostomy that I think you’ll love! Click on HERE to see it. XOXO Eric
Table of Contents
Video Guide
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Depending on your weight, and whether you have any other challenges, like a peristomal hernia, you may need to modify these suggestions a bit. These tips should be applicable to other ileostomates and colostomates, but urostomates and people with a high-output stoma may need to empty their pouch more often to feel comfortable.
Useful Options
Before I break down some scenarios, here are a few options that we have available to us, which can help to accommodate various stoma positions. Where your stoma is located will have a big impact on how you wear clothes. I’ve reviewed several of these items HERE.
Stoma Guards
Stoma guards can be extremely useful if your stoma is at, or above your belt line. They offer protection from impact, seat belts or pant belts, and they’ll often allow you to wear your pouch inside your pants with your shirt tucked in.
Depending on the style of your stoma guard, output is usually not restricted, however, pouch capacity is usually reduced.
Another product that’s been made available is the StomaTuck. It works similar to a stoma guard but is designed specifically to help give your ostomy bag some room under your clothing.
You can find my full review for the StomaTuck HERE.
Support Bands
One of my favorite accessories are support bands, which allow you to wear your pouch horizontally. There are other styles available, but this article will focus on using the horizontal version of this product since it’s the most unique. I’ve reviewed the popular Stealth Belt Pro HERE.
Here’s an example of how I’d wear my support belt (with my bag sideways) under clothing:
Ostomy Support Wraps / Maternity Bands
These can range from basic maternity wraps to more specialty wraps made for ostomates. They allow for the concealment of your appliance, and offer some support, too.
Wraps designed for ostomates usually have pockets which you can fit your pouch into. This helps to keep the bottom of the pouch from hanging below the bottom of the wrap.
Pouch Covers
Typically made to hide the contents of your pouch (if you’re using a transparent pouch), these don’t offer protection from impact, and usually add a bit of bulk to your appliance, but there are many kick-ass patterns, styles, and materials available.
A more recent take on pouch covers comes in the form of a very cool product called the Ostomy Amigo.
It works like a cross between a support band and pouch cover, but also contains a special pocket for extras and looks like a fashion accessory! You can check out my full review of it HERE.
High-Waisted Pants (Trousers)/Undergarments
There are high-waisted products which are designed specifically for ostomates, but you can also find high-waisted products in most clothing stores or online. These are intended to keep your pouch below the belt line without the need for any other accessories. They sometimes offer security (if they include a “pouch pocket”), but don’t protect your stoma from impact.
Underwear designed for male ostomates are nearly always high waisted and the ones below feature a hidden pocket to help support your appliance.
Seat Belt Covers
Used when riding in a vehicle that has seatbelts, these special covers protect your stoma from the belt. These are only required if your seat belt comes directly over your stoma. If you’re using a stoma guard, a seat belt cover isn’t necessary. I’ve reviewed the Comfee Drive product by Weir Comfees HERE and I still believe it’s the best design around, but the company went under in early 2018.
Alternatively, you can use a stoma guard or another seatbelt cover like the one below (called the Ostomy Protector). My review for the Ostomy Protector can be found HERE.
Clothing Examples
Now, onto some specific examples of basic styles that most men will wear at some point in their lives. I’m a pretty simple guy, but many of these examples will apply to other clothing styles as well.
Casual
Dressing casual is one of the easiest ways to dress with an ostomy. Since casual clothing often goes with untucked shirts and loose-fitting clothes, there’s less of a need to worry about concealing or protecting your appliance.
If I’m at home, I’ll leave my pouch over my pants (trousers), and let me shirt cover it. I may wear a pouch cover if I’m using a transparent pouch since nobody appreciates seeing the contents of my pouch (although, I find it quite entertaining to see my stoma work!).
When going out, I’ll put on a wrap, and that tends to do the trick. The stealth belt will also come in handy, but it’s a matter of preference.
I don’t tend to wear stoma guards when I’m at home in casual clothes, but they work quite well for going out. They don’t offer a low profile like wraps do, so they tend to stick out a bit. The StomaShield works well with jeans.
Jeans shouldn’t be tight, and I’d highly recommend getting a pair that has some stretch to the denim, especially if you plan on putting your pouch in your pants. If you don’t like jeans or want to get even more casual, sweatpants and track pants are other options, and they tend to have elastic waists which accommodate most stoma placements.
One company called I Am Denim out of the UK has created jeans specifically for ostomates! They feature a band that’s very similar to an ostomy wrap built right into the jeans. I will have a review on these in the future!
Semi-Casual / Semi-Formal
While semi-casual can mean leaving your shirt untucked, things begin to get tricky when you want to tuck in your shirt. Because stoma placement differs from person to person, some of these tips may need to be adjusted.
For me, I can only get away with a shirt tucked in if I’m wearing a stoma guard or the Stealth Belt Pro (with my pouch horizontally). My stoma is above my belt line, so having my pouch under my belt is far too restrictive and cuts off the flow of my output. Certain stoma guards correct this problem by channeling output to flow down to the bottom of your pouch, without being cut off by your belt.
The Stealth Belt Pro works by keeping my pouch above the belt line, so clothes can be tucked in easily. This does come with one drawback: because of the horizontal placement, you need a pouch that can rotate or you need to adhere the pouch horizontally when you do an appliance change. I discuss these points in my review of the Stealth Belt Pro.
For ostomates who have their stoma below the belt line, there shouldn’t be many problems with tucking your shirt in and keeping your pouch under your pants.
An alternative to belts, which many male ostomates find useful, are suspenders. I don’t own a pair of suspenders, but I’ve seen them in action when worn with an ostomy pouch. If you go for this option, be sure that your pants waist is large enough to accommodate the pouch; too tight and you’ll defeat the purpose of using suspenders.
You can find suspenders in many department stores, stores specializing in suits, or even online.
Sweaters can work great for semi-casual dress as they tend to offer quite a bit of concealment.
Formal
Like semi-casual with a shirt tucked in, you’re going to want to apply the same methods when wearing formal clothing. That means using a stoma guard, the Stealth Belt or suspenders when necessary.
For pants (or trousers, as my friends in the UK like to call them), some ostomates might find high-waisted options or even elastic waist bands to be the most comfortable. As mentioned in the previous section, if your stoma falls below the belt line (which it should with these high-waisted pants), you won’t need any additional accessories to comfortably tuck your ostomy appliance under your pants.
Don’t be discouraged when it comes to suits! An advantage of wearing a suit is that the suit jacket also provides concealment of your appliance; if you wear a vest, it’ll come in handy too.
Tip: when being fitted for a new suit, make sure the tailor understands your needs so they can accommodate your ostomy. They may be able to add elastic to the waist, or provide a means to expand the waist size slightly when needed.
Sleepwear
This is another easy one, for me at least. I either sleep in shorts or underwear with my pouch left out. You can also go naked if that’s how you like to sleep (nothing wrong with that!). In the winter, my shorts are replaced with pajama pants.
While there’s no harm in wearing a wrap or stoma guard to bed, it’s really only doable of your pouch doesn’t fill too much overnight. If you have a tendency to wake up to a very full or ballooned pouch, these accessories will be uncomfortable.
If your partner is put off by the sight of your dangling pouch, wearing a t-shirt or loose-fitting wrap should help keep things out of sight. And for Pete’s sake, don’t expose your transparent pouch to unwilling bystanders! Your partner might put up with a lot of your crap, but they don’t have to see it too!
Intimacy
For most men, there’s a lot of concern over whether their ostomy will negatively impact their sex life. It shouldn’t, and there are several ways of dealing with body image post-op.
Info: I have a full guide on sex and intimacy with an ostomy HERE.
I find that ostomy wraps or the Stealth Belt Pro to be the most ideal when having sex. They provide concealment and support, without restricting your range of motion. Regular maternity bands, or wraps without a pouch pocket, can cause your pouch to be exposed on the bottom of the wrap, so this style of wrap will likely be inconvenient during sex, but folding the bottom part will help (see photo below).
If you’re wearing a longer pouch, it’ll probably get in the way of things, so fold it in half before putting on the wrap. This isn’t an issue with the Stealth Belt Pro, as your pouch is horizontal and kept well out of the way.
Always empty your pouch before getting hot and heavy with your lover, so you won’t be distracted or have to empty midway through a passionate love-making session.
An alternative that some men can take advantage of are stoma caps. These are mini ostomy bags (more like stoma covers) that can be used on a temporary basis or long term depending on the type of stoma.
Unfortunately, stoma caps are not an option for everyone and I’ve detailed who it’s most appropriate for in THIS article.
Sex Tip: Use whatever accessory or method you feel is appropriate for your situation! Don’t let the thought of having to put on an accessory make you lazy when it comes to sex (it’ll hurt your relationship in the long-run). And if the mood hits you and your partner when you don’t have any belts or wraps around? Just go with the flow and enjoy yourselves!
Undergarments
While not a necessity, there are underwear that have a high waist and can act as a wrap for your pouch, keeping it low profile and more secure. These are usually suited best for men with lower stoma placements.
I’ve worn ostomy underwear by Alternative Ana and they feel quite nice. They offer really nice support and can be worn under clothing if you’re mindful of keeping the bag as empty as possible.
Regular Boxers are another option, and these can be found in a high-waisted option as well if you want to put it over your pouch. Go for loose-fitting boxers to help with pouch expansion, or tighter boxers if that’s not a concern.
Swimming / Beachwear
High-waisted swimming trunks are a great option if your goal is to hide your appliance. Just keep in mind that these will work best if your stoma has a lower placement; if it’s too high, they won’t look very flattering on you. There are specific high-waisted swimming trunks made for ostomates, which feature an inner pocket. Here’s one from Ostomysecrets.
Wraps or a Stealth Belt can also come in handy at the beach, and either will be fine getting wet (although it may take your pouch longer to dry). This option works great if your stoma is too high to wear the high-waisted trunks. Stealth Belt does offer a neoprene version, that’s meant specifically for water sports and activity. I haven’t tried that version, so I can’t comment on how quickly it dries compared to the Stealth Belt Pro.
There’s no shame in going shirtless with your ostomy, provided that you’ve got an opaque pouch or a pouch cover on it. Since the pouches are designed to be waterproof, you shouldn’t worry about getting it wet; although if you find that your wafer tends to peel when wet, you may want to use a product that’s designed to protect your wafer, like the Aqua Seal rings, or wafer extenders.
Activewear / Sportswear
If there’s a risk of impact, including amusement park rides, it’s always best to go with a hard stoma guard. Keep in mind that they may limit your range of motion, especially when squatting down, so choose one that fits comfortably, and make sure you keep your pouch as empty as possible.
For activities that don’t carry a high-risk of getting hit in the stoma, including jogging, running, hiking or golf, wraps or a Stealth Belt are great options for support and comfort. An ostomy accessory belt may also be useful if you don’t have other accessories.
If you’re doing a lot of strenuous activities, you may find that sweat creates a problem with your wafer. Use extended wear appliances or change your appliance more often if this becomes a problem. Some ostomates find that a cotton pouch cover will help to keep sweat off the skin. Alternatively, ostomy underwear with pockets should also help to keep your skin dry.
Tip: Talk to your surgeon about hernia-prevention (or support belts). These apply pressure to the areas around your stoma and help to prevent hernias. These belts may be particularly important within the year following abdominal surgery.
Bonus Tips
- Keeping your pouch empty will help keep you comfortable. Don’t wait until you have a balloon for a pouch! Empty it BEFORE it reaches 1/3 full.
- Don’t worry too much about whether your pouch is obvious or not; most people aren’t looking for your appliance.
- Patterned shirts will help with concealing your pouch.
- When buying pants, it’s always better to get one waist size larger if you’re planning on keeping your pouch under your clothes.
- I find that shirts are usually more comfortable and hide my pouch better when they are a size up.
- It’s always wise to keep a spare change of clothes around if you’re going for an extended outing away from home. Keep this in your vehicle, along with an ostomy travel kit.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways in which you can dress with an ostomy. Although there are more clothing options available for women, men still have several accessories and clothing choices at our disposal. You might find yourself using different options for different occasions, and that’s perfectly fine!
Additional Resources
You can find a directory of ostomy clothing manufacturers and suppliers on THIS page.
I gave a presentation about the “Secrets to dressing with an ostomy” which you can check out HERE.
For various ostomy accessory reviews on products that work for both men and women, check out THIS page.
Question: Guys, do you have any clothing tips you’d like to share?
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Just bought a few pairs of Denver Hayes Classic Fit Khakis. Described as “Sits at waist”. Flextech waist. A bit stretchy.
For comparison my 505 Levis hit my stoma right at the waist band. Fairly uncomfortable. Especially when sitting or riding. Even with my weight loss.
The Khakis waistband sits just above the edge of the seal ring on my 2 piece appliance. They are much lighter build at the waistband, softer and some stretch. Much more comfortable. The stretch aspect seems to keep them up well, without having to be too tight. Comfortable when seated too.
Got them on sale at Mark’s.
Wow! This was so helpful. Just got a colostomy last week and have been struggling with what to wear. There are some great ideas here, things I didn’t even know existed. Thank you so much, VeganOstomy for taking the time to put this together. You certainly helped this guy!!
Glad I could help, John :) Good luck with everything!
Hello, my husband just had an ostomy bag put in, is his stools supposed to be soft or hard. It fluctuates with him. The nurse said it should be a little runny but that doesn’t seem right to me.
Hi Stacy,
I hope that you and your husband are doing well.
Do you know if your husband has a colostomy or ileostomy? There is no right and wrong consistency with output, but generally speaking, colostomy output can be drier and more formed while ileostomy output can range from quite runny to pasty.
Sometimes it depends on what foods or beverages are consumed, how long it’s been since surgery, how much of the bowel was removed, etc.
Unless it’s causing problems, there’s no real need to worry too much about it.
Thank you! My dad just had surgery and this is very helpful!
You are most welcome, Susan. I hope that your dad is doing well.
Help is an understatement! You’ve completely lifted our spirits by making daunting post surgery prospects so much less formidable. I can’t thank you enough! This is a bounty of useful, encouraging information. Thanks again for sharing it.
Caroline
Glad I could help, Caroline! :)
Coveralls, kilts
Thank your for the comprehensive information, it’s very important and I’m sure life-changing for many.
I’m wondering if you know of any manufacturers that make products for children? I can find little information online for children living with ostomies.
Hi Reefsider,
There are pediatric products like wafers and pouches that are designed for children, but you don’t really come across accessories or clothing for kids with an ostomy. I’m not sure if it’s a matter of the demand not being high enough or whether the products simply don’t work the same for a child.
It might be worth inquiring with one of the manufacturers who makes a product you’re interested in to see if they can custom make one for kids.
Thank you for your prompt reply. Most paediactric stomas tend to be short term so I can understand why companies don’t go out of their way. My grandson has had 2 stomas for most of his life. He’s about to turn 6. There’s an understandable psychological impact and unfortunately increasingly severe bullying. I think some of the dressing products would be helpful.
Hey Reefsider,
Check these belts out: https://www.stealthbelt.com/
I’ve worn the adult version of these belts for years, and they help a lot with comfort and concealment!
At 6, he’s too young for the UOAA Youth Rally, but I think it might be something to consider when he turns 11 – building up more confidence in the company of others can be life-changing: https://youthrally.org/
Thanks, I had no idea how I was going to function in “the world” but your video has given me several ideas.
Could you please tell me where the stoma guards are available (I’m in Australia)?
Hi Anna,
Most stoma guard manufacturers will ship internationally, so I would suggest contacting one that you like and see what they can do.
I’ve reviewed several here : https://www.veganostomy.ca/product-reviews/#Stoma_Guards
Thanks SO much for your video! Comprehensive without pushing specific products. I’m 8 weeks into an ileo and haven’t yet settled on what product to get for swimming, which is important since I’m melting in the 100+ AZ temps (ugh). What is your swimming product/brand preference?
Thx,
zman
Hey Zach,
Thanks for writing :)
I’m not a swimmer, but I’ve asked a friend (who does a lot of swimming!) what he does and he said he wears a “girl’s suit” with his regular swim suit over it – it makes no sense to me, but I’ve asked him for photos :)
I will most likely post it on the Community Forums ( https://www.veganostomy.ca/community/ ) and will likely update this post with the added info.
Keep an eye out for that.
Hey Zach,
I’ve posted the photos he sent: https://www.veganostomy.ca/community/ostomy-tips-tricks/swimming-with-an-ostomy/
I came across your posting after doing an internet search about ostomies and swim suits. I just booked marked it for further reference, but I watched the entire video and read the text a few minutes ago. It’s tremendously helpful. In my case, I am scheduled for an ileostomy in two weeks; I’ve been participating in an ostomy support group here in Albuquerque for the past few months so I am psychologically ready for the operation. The support group has been great and I’ve met several men who have shared their experiences about what to wear and how to dress, but your site is the most comprehensive and I”m glad that you included pictures of yourself since it makes it “real and personal.” I have yet to discover where my ostomy will be placed, but I have a long torso and my pants tend to slide down to my hips even when I do wear a belt, so I anticipate some problems with pants and underwear. I’ve always been a low rise brief man, so I don’t find boxers and high waisted underwear particularly “sexy,” but I suspect that will change. I particularly like your comments about sex and intimacy since both of those are my greatest fear at the moment. I know that I will just deal with it when the time comes, but still… it’s daunting while I still have my colon inside me. Basically, thanks for posting your site. I know that I will refer to it frequently.
Good luck, David!
When your stoma site is being marked, be sure to let your stoma nurse know of your concerns with clothing. They will mark the stoma in a place that’s most convenient and best for long-term success.
Thanks for your video. This is very useful information. I’m a big fan of the “Hold Up” suspenders you mentioned from the Hold Up Suspender Company as they have clips that don’t slip and they also have “next to the skin” models for summertime. The guard I use is “StomaPlex” which works well. As my stoma is at my belt line, I’d like to have high waist pants but they’re hard to find. Are you aware of sources?
Hey Richard,
Glad to see you found a few solutions! I don’t normally purchase high waist pants, but if you have trouble getting them at a regular department store, you may have better luck at a place that sells garments and offers tailoring.
I personally look for pants (both dressy and jeans) that either have a stretchy waist band or expands at the waist. These work really well with stoma guards.
Take care,
Eric
Hi,
I’ve been shopping with / for my husband and together we have a few tips for gents in the UK
Trousers – Marks & Spencers have trousers with a higher cut waist as standard, and many styles have an “active waist”, which is slightly elasticated, allowing room for pouches / bags to expand.
Underwear – you can have three pairs of the high waisted pants with pockets (like those available from Supportex) on prescription, after that they are £12-14 each. With the time taken to arrange prescriptions, I’d buy a set at the same time as putting in a prescription request, this also applies to support bands (For those with a Urostomy, avoid tight wraps or bands as this increases degrading of seals, particularly hydrocolloid).
As well as spare trousers, always have spare clean socks, if you have an accident with a liquid output it will invariably drip on your feet! With this in mind, look for shoes that can be washed if needed, such as sneakers.
For casual wear my husband likes sports trousers like jogging bottoms, or hiking trousers from companies like Regatta or Trespass., as they have elastic in the waist. Straight cut trousers are best if you require a leg bag at all.
I’d really love to hear from anyone else in the UK if you have tips to share :-)
These are some great tips, Amanda! Thank you for sharing!!
I will be updating this article in the near future, and would like to add some of this info to that update.
So glad to know about the stoma guard. This should help with problems around the waist. My husband is one month post op and has resorted to wearing overalls. The guard looks like it will provide more options. Also didn’t know about pouch covers. Thanks so much.
The guards can help quite a bit with trousers, since it means that your husband doesn’t have to change much with how/what he puts on. Take care!
thank you for this, my husband is now 7 days post op, there are a lot of good tips here. step one will be to get a stoma guard!
I wish you guys all the best! I hope his recovery is going well.
Really great video, thanks. I’d never thought about wearing a stoma guard to protect my stoma from the trouser belt.
I was surprised that you wear the wraps / waistband so loose, I wear mine a lot tighter, partly to help protect against hernias, and also mine (from Comfizz) has a band at the bottom so it helps support the bag if it gets full.
Would you mind if I posted a link to this page on the Colostomy Assoc UK FB Group page. There are often men within that group asking about clothing options
Thanks Sue! I would be honored if you shared this information!
I like wraps to be comfortable, but not too tight, as I find I get more pancaking with tighter accessories on. This may not be an issue for others, but it’s my preference. I find the tighter stuff to work best when I’m active or engaging in sexual activity.
Have a wonderful day!
Brilliant video. I’m two years in but when I was having the surgery this was probably one of my biggest worries – especially how I would wear smart clothes for work. Also a better solution for seat belts is a clip that fixes the length of the lap belt – like for pregnancy… Very discreet if you are not ‘out of the closet’… Keep up the excellent work!
Thanks Bob! I’m going to look into those clips. I’ve read about people using their own DYI solutions, but several seem to pose a safety risk if the belt were to lock in an accident.
Hope you’re doing well!
Check with your state laws. Many states will wave the seat belt law if you carry a letter from your Doctor certifying you have an ostomy and seat belts are detrimental to the operation and safety of the ostomy.
Hi Charlotte,
Thank you for your comment.
Even if I had the legal right to not wear a seatbelt, I would still wear one with a seatbelt guard because the risks of not wearing one far outweigh any benefits to comfort or convenience.
This has come through to the wrong person