About

So you just had an ostomy huh? I get it, I’ve been there. For the first couple weeks, your body is going to need a lot of rest. After my own surgery, I spent a lot of time on the couch watching the Great British Baking Show. It’s an amazing show, by the way. I like it better than most cooking or baking shows because it’s a lot more chilled out and easy to watch without feeling stressed or anxious. Finding a good show for a bit while you relax after surgery is super important to the recovery process. I would suggest lounging around in some loose and baggy clothes that are really comfortable; no sense trying to dress up. Who do you have to impress, anyway? After the recovery process, you will probably start thinking about going out for the first time with your ostomy bag in place. This is a bit scary at first. What if people notice? What should I wear? Can I still be fashionable with an ostomy bag? 

The important thing to remember is that there are many people before you who have struggled with the same fears and questions regarding their ostomy. They did it, and so can you! After getting over your initial fears and misgivings about wearing an ostomy bag, you’ll find that it doesn’t change too much about what you can wear or how you go about your day. One of the biggest concerns people have is visibility. More specifically, how can I hide my ostomy bag with my clothes while not looking like a hobo in sweat pants every day? Luckily, it is relatively easy to hide an ostomy bag with a little forward planning and some wardrobe adjustments. 

There are plenty of tricks to keep your ostomy bag disguised. One of the big ones is to wear dark clothing. Dark colors are slimming, and will consequently make it harder to see your ostomy bag to those around you. Wearing leggings or tight underwear is also good, because then it will keep the bag more form fitting to your body and harder to spot. Another important tip is to wear patterns often, as they also help to camouflage the appearance of the ostomy bag as well. You can definitely wear tight and form fitting clothing quite regularly with an ostomy bag, but you may find a new appreciation for looser clothing like dresses that are tighter around the stomach and chest but are more fluid and loose past the hips. These are super in style too, especially a nice sun dress or something!

Protection is also a key part of your daily dress attire with an ostomy bag in place. Having wraps and belts protecting your ostomy bag can not only save you from the risk of developing hernias, but also protect your ostomy bag from any impacts. The last thing you want is to biff your ostomy bag on the side of a table and have all your inside contents spilling out onto the floor of a Wendys. Protecting your stoma is super important not only during the recovery process but also in your everyday life. Don’t take unnecessary risks when it comes to your stoma; keep it clean and well taken care of for best results, and to avoid any further complications that require more surgeries or hospital visits.