Body Image after surgery

[BarbJean]

I was 14 when i had my first ileostomy. It is all I knew and I grew up not thinking twice about how I looked. I just had to have a major revision due to strictures, obstructions and a hernia. They switched sides on me and I'm a mess. (I'm 30 years older now too.)

It has only been 6 weeks.

I'm very thin so I feel every person can see the lumps under my clothes. The hard part is one side of me pushes out so that it is almost like I am a size larger. (Oh poor me, I am a size 0 instead of a 00)

I'm calling it Crohnserexia because I feel so distorted.

Hubby says I look great but he is freaky that way. haha

Just need some reassurance that after you switch sides it gets better.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I think we are much more conscious of this stuff. Honestly most people can't conceive of a bag there so they won't even think twice. if they notice at all they may just think your shirt is bunched up a bit which happens to everyone. You can buy a stealth belt to help smooth it down and make it less visible.

 

[Grotbags]

Quite often the bump is more obvious to us looking down on it, than it is to people looking straight at it, I also angle my pouch so it's at a 45 degree angle across my stomach, so any bulge is more central.

 

[BarbJean]

I never thought of the angle of my pouch. Thanks!

Quite often the bump is more obvious to us looking down on it, than it is to people looking straight at it, I also angle my pouch so it's at a 45 degree angle across my stomach, so any bulge is more central.

 

[BarbJean]

You are so right that people don't think of bags as part of the body. This is what I need to hear. I have trouble with belts because I have such a huge output they squish it too much but I will look into more options.

I think we are much more conscious of this stuff. Honestly most people can't conceive of a bag there so they won't even think twice. if they notice at all they may just think your shirt is bunched up a bit which happens to everyone. You can buy a stealth belt to help smooth it down and make it less visible.

 

[Grotbags]

If you need something to hold it all in and for a bit of support, you really can't beat a belly band.
They can either be bought as a maternity item, or specifically for stoma pouches.
Comfizz in the UK sell them for stoma's, they really are fab, you can also buy knickers that do the same job, I find the knickers to be easier to wear.
If you do get a Stealth Belt, be aware that although they do sell a 45 degree belt, they make them for pouches worn across your hip, rather than across the stomach.
I got caught out , and now have a Stealth Belt that is totally useless to me, nowhere on the site did it mention the way they are made.
They will however make a pouch to your requirements.

 

[lenny]

If it makes you feel any better, I have never noticed a bag on anyone, ever.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Hi I've just seen this thread. I too I'm rather thin and I worried about my pouch showing. As I lookdown on it I felt I looked half pregnant, lol. But no one ever seemed to notice it, till I mentioned it. And also if anyone would have said about it,I would have said well this bag holds my life in it because with out it I might not even be here so there you go !!! Most people really don't notice it though so please try not to be to worried about it. Keep smiling best wishes to you!!

 

[2thFairy]

I've been to school and to work with medical professionals who know about stomas and such, and no one knows I have it.