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What is an Ostomy Support Garment?
Ostomy support garments, as the name implies, are a group of accessories designed to help support the weight of an ostomy appliance.
Support garments usually come in the form of a band or belt, although some unique styles have become available recently.
They will nearly always feature some kind of pocket that your ostomy pouch goes into, but are more structured compared to ostomy wraps.
Some Benefits
- Support garments can offer great support of an ostomy appliance, even one that’s getting full.
- They can conceal your appliance, which is ideal if you wear clear pouches.
- Are available in horizontal, vertical, and even diagonal configurations.
- Can flatten the look of an appliance.
- Quite a few styles and options are available.
- Most allow easy access for emptying the appliance without needing to remove the support garment.
- Some support garments can be used with stoma guards for protection.
- Some styles work great during intimacy or sports.
- Most are designed to look like anything but a medical appliance.
Potential Issues
- Can be expensive.
- Tight support garments may restrict the flow of output, cause pancaking, cause leaks, or increase the risk of a stoma blockage.
- Some support garments are designed to fit specific flange sizes, so they may not fit if you change the brand or size of your wafer.
- Most do not offer any protection from impact to the stoma.
How Ostomy Support Garments are Typically Sold
Many support garments are sold directly by the manufacturer and are often custom made.
I’ve seen several different styles, but I’ll highlight three of them below:
Horizontal Band style
Support garments in this category include products like the StealthBelt Pro and ComfortBelt.
These products are meant to be worn with your appliance in a horizontal position. You can read more about why I wear my appliance sideways in THIS article.
This is my favorite style of accessory and I’ve spoken about them many times!
Vertical band style
Vertical bands are great for people who want to keep their appliance in a natural position but want better support over an ostomy wrap.
Many vertical bands, like the Eh, OK Mates by Joe is, offer a bottom opening to make draining your appliance easy.
Belted pouch cover style
This style isn’t common, but it opens up to some unique products like the Ostomy Amigo.
This category offers you the concealment of a pouch cover, but the support of an accessory belt.
Purchase on Amazon
Unfortunately, most of these styles of accessories can’t be purchased through Amazon, but I will post links if any become available.
How to Use an Ostomy Support Garment
Considering there are so many styles of support garments, it’s not possible to go through every method of putting them on.
However, most will feature a similar set of instructions:
- You start by placing the garment around your waist.
- Then you feed the bottom of your appliance into a hole in the back of the garment.
- After the pouch is secured, you will close up the garment using a zipper or flap. Some are closed garments, so this step may not be needed.
Below is a video on how I put on my StealthBelt:
And here’s how to put on the Ostomy Amigo:
When it’s time to empty your appliance, many support garments can be left on as they usually have an easy way to expose the pouch outlet.
Tips on Using Ostomy Support Garments
Support garments can be a great addition for any ostomate, but here are some tips I’ve learned along the way :
- Don’t order a support garment until you’re done healing and have chosen a long-term appliance. A change in your body size or appliance could mean that your support garment may not fit well.
- Use looser support garments if you have thick output as this will help to avoid complications like pancaking.
- Small stoma guards, like the Ostomy Resolutions guard, may work under a support garment.
- Support garments may be worn 24/7 if you’re comfortable doing so.
Alternatives to Ostomy Support Garments
Many ostomates who are looking for pouch support might find that ostomy wraps will do the trick.
If you aren’t too concerned about concealment and just want to have better support of your appliance, accessory belts may also be a helpful alternative.
Additional Resources
I’ve mentioned support garments in both my clothing guide for MEN and WOMEN.
They were also a part of my Secrets to Dressing With an Ostomy presentation.
You can also find my reviews on several different support garments HERE.
Info: For more articles in this Accessory Guide Series, please visit THIS page.
Hi Elaine, Welcome to the forum. If it’s a support belt for a hernia yes it’s gonna have to be measured by a nurse to suit your requirements. If it’s for light support while you’re doing jobs in the garden have a look at a company called “Comfizz” they are UK based and have a great range of products at affordable prices 😀
I’m in the UK. I’ve tried to order a support waistband from my supplier (Coloplast) who have told me that i cannot order one as i must be fitted out by my stoma nurse. I was under the impression that a support band would be helpful to me when gardening and lifting (physical activities), but they seem reluctant to let me have one.
Does anyone else have trouble getting supplies?
Hi Elaine,
Regular support garments don’t typically need to be fitted by a stoma nurse, however, is it possible that they are referring to a hernia prevention/support belt? That would be more appropriate for lifting as a means to potentially help prevent hernias around the stoma, and those would need to be fitted as the measurements are really important.
Hi
Thankyou for your response.
After a bit of heckling Coloplast asked me to contact Respond.co.uk for advice.
They sent me a tape measure and instructions on how to take the correct measurements. After review they advised RES 6 breathable stretch belt. I have not reveived it yet, but hope that i find some benefit once i receive it
Let us know how it goes, Elaine! Good luck!
Received my belt. A bit uncomfortable at first due to the stiffness of the belt being new, but when lifting and doing strenuous activity in the garden it certainly gives a feel of security. Glad i had it
Thanks for the update, Elaine! I’m glad you notice a positive difference. I think you’ll get used to the feeling over time. I’m the same with new belts and accessories, then one day I don’t even remember that I’m wearing one.
i like to buy Belted pouch cover style after watching the video….and how to buy?pls share…tq
Hey Bard,
That product is unfortunately no longer available due to the company going under :(
There may be other companies making a similar product but you may need to visit their website to find out: https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-clothing-manufacturers/
After watching your video and reading the information I didn’t see a great option for a high output ileostomy that has to remain upright due to being all liquid. I have to empty up to 6 times per day and if it were sideways I would have lots of leaks.
Are there any covers or supports that would work that don’t compress the bag too much that it can’t fill? I do need something to help support it and cover it and especially when wearing shorts or bathing suit. I’m 6’1 160 lbs. Ileostomy is a little above my belly button. Bag from middle of stoma to end is 11″‘s. I also don’t know if they make a cover to help with sweating.
I would appreciated receiving any suggestions you might have.
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Scott, I tend to empty my bag more than 6 times a day and it’s never really been an issue using these support products.
Where it becomes more of an issue is when an ostomy bag fills up much faster than usual. In that case, you don’t really have much time to empty it and the reduced capacity due to the compression of these products make that more difficult.
Part of the challenge with a support garment is that it needs to be on tight enough to provide support, but not so tight that it restricts the capacity of the bag too much.
Sometimes it’s easy to find something that fits just right, but other times it may take a few tries to get the right size or find the right product.
Even with ostomy wraps that have worked for me in the past, they begin to stretch out a bit with long term use and they no longer provide the support that I’m looking for.
I would consider looking at wraps before any other support products because they tend to be simplistic in how they work and you should be able to identify any issues when wearing them without having to spend a ton of money on something more specialised.
Hi first time watching your video . I have a stealth belt I’m from uk and it’s a great product .
I feel support and safe wearing it . Recommend to all Ostomy users.
Hi Alfie,
I’m glad you enjoy your StealthBelt!