Hi all
So on Tuesday 18th February I was diagnosed with rectal Cancer which wasn't great news but I'd been expecting it for a long time so I was just happy to finally find out what it was so anyway the surgeon I spoke to suggested I have a stoma and then move on from that by having chemotherapy so that's what I went for and I'm currently lay in my hospital bed waiting for the surgery to have the stoma fitted/installed whatever the word is (I really have no idea) now I'm a little worried about supporting the stoma bad once I have it and my stoma nurse told me that you can get support belts that help to keep it where it needs to be and also just add a bit of extra support.
so this is something I'm looking at but I wasn't expecting there to be so many and I thought I'd ask here just to see if anyone else has any experience with which ones are good and which ones aren't, I'm wanting something that preferably covers the whole bag and I'd prefer something a little wider which I'm not sure if it's safe and healthy to have the whole bag covered but like I said I know nothing about them so if anyone can help me or advise me then that really would be fantastic.
thanks all
Hi Sbee
Can I just start by saying that the best way to describe this is having a stoma formed? I see people often using words about a stoma being fitted, or installed, but it is actually neither of those things.
The stoma is made from your bowel, so it will always be part of your anatomy-it’s not something being added to to, or fitted on in any way, although a bag is added externally of course!
I’d like to suggest you join our stoma support group and the link is here-
Personally I have never felt the need to have a stoma support belt (and I have 2 stomas) but others in the stoma group do use them so would be able to give you advice on what they’ve used. What I would say is that it’s too early just yet to buy one-it’s best to have them properly measured for you as an individual to make sure you get the most suitable product, rather than buying something from an online picture. Stomas do take time to settle and heal after surgery, so you need to take that into consideration too. You may even decide once you have surgery that you don’t need it or want it. Personally, I’ve never bothered with specialist stoma underwear either-I’m reminded enough by seeing 2 stomas every day, so I appreciate just wearing normal knickers. Others like to buy specialist underwear, but I feel I have enough support for me, and I’ve not ever developed a parastomal hernia in the 5 years I’ve lived with stomas.
Please feel free to join the stoma group and make your post there-there will be plenty of advice and tips for you. And best wishes for your upcoming surgery.
Sarah xx
