Finally

Hi. Im pleased your husbands Stoma’s now working and that he’ll be able to go home soon   After four weeks he’ll be pleased to get back.
I’m female and able to wear my jeans now after three months however in the early days I was switched to a convex bag with a belt attached for extra security. I wore it for a little while but found it another thing to think about when sorting out my output. I kept catching it when pulling clothes down. So I just bought full briefs. It’s secure and is easier to manage. I also bought two wide pull on type covers. They’re Lycra very tight which I have found uncomfortable but others like them. I think there’s lots of men that have found high waist trousers helpful. I’m sure one will advice. I just wanted to say hello. 

With best wishes. 

Hello, I'm glad your husband can now come home.  What a long time to endure in hospital.  My partner also had a while in hospital while they were getting the stoma to work, but they got there eventually.  He used a stoma belt and found it very useful as it gave him some security.  He was working from home so ended up living in track suit bottoms which helped as they have elasticated waists so are looser than trousers.  When he wore trousers he used braces. He always wore the bag outside his trousers which worked better than inside.  It might be a bit of trial and error to find out what works, but I'm sure your husband will get there.

Well wishes to you both.

Hi NannyAnny

Glad to hear that your husband's stoma is working, I had eleven days in hospital after my LAR because of ileus.

I used braces to begin with to keep my trousers loose but I had problems finding ones that stayed clipped on to my trousers. After a while my wife moved the buttons about and I just had a loose belt as well.  I used a support belt occasionally only because I had a hernia around the stoma, I don't think it would help in dressing as before.

Will his stoma be temporary or permanent? 

All the best to you both, John

Thank you for all your replies. Its so helpful to get ideas from other folks. Crankshaft - I think the stoma is designed to be temporary. The surgeon initially thought he could join things up straight away, but in his words 'it was quite a mess in there' and he needed the bowel to heal and rest. Whether he wants to go through all this again, is another matter!!!

They also found a couple of other issues while looking around, so a reverse operation is way bottom of the list!!