Underwear etc......

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

K

Kris

Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
157
Now that the swelling is starting to go down in my abdomen, I'm starting to look for clothes that work well with my ileostomy. I can wear some of the jeans I wore before, but some are too tight because my stomach is still sensitive. I bought "boy cut" short style underwear and they work great to hold the bag close in the front. Boy cut style offers a sexy cheeky look in the back, so they don't feel like grandma panties. I've also bought tight fitting tank tops to wear under my shirts. I'm so glad the layered look is still in style. I ordered a shirt extender, which is basicly a tank top without the top. I haven't gotten it yet, but can't wait to try it. I also tried on bathing suites the other day, and was very impressed at how some really do a great job hiding the bag. I was hoping to get responses from others on what clothes you have found that work in a practicle way, but still look very stylish and modern.
 
i don't have a bag, but when i'm in flare I need support on my tummy to help it not to hurt so bad . . . my friend gave me her 'bump bands' from when she was pregnant, don't know if they would work to hold your bag in too??
 
I'll second that Misty- 2 more sleeps (not that I'm counting!!).
I thought my wardrobe would consist of pj's and trackie bottoms for a while. How long until I'm back in my jeans etc?
Swimsuits and nice underwear?? Thought I was banishing that to my past!
Oh well, I defo need to do more research...
 
Well, I was always 'soft in the middle'. So now I'm having alot of trouble with the site of my 'Stan'. It has a big lump. I look half pregnant! It's not pretty. Surgeon says hernia, stoma nurse says I just dont have good muscle tone. Anyway, nurse suggested special undies that will help with the 'bulge' and hold the bag. (cause I'm a pigmy you see...and the bag is heavy to me even when empty..and cause I have 'dihisense' cant spell that, skin not healing around stoma) Anyhooo...I had to buy new clothes (online) because I'm skinny except where I'm swollen. Its tough to get your confidence back when your body is betraying you. I've even thought of ringing some plastic surgeons to help...tummy tuck anyone?? (i'm mad...why would I DO elective surgery...just slap me!) Anyway, I'm trying to buy things that cover Stan, or shall I say...the lump around Stan.

Misty:blush:
 
Welsh-bird said:
I'll second that Misty- 2 more sleeps (not that I'm counting!!).
I thought my wardrobe would consist of pj's and trackie bottoms for a while. How long until I'm back in my jeans etc?
Swimsuits and nice underwear?? Thought I was banishing that to my past!
Oh well, I defo need to do more research...
Click to expand...

Andrea, I think you are still young yes?? With nice tight tummy? You should be fine...take a look at Kello82's threads on clothing and swimsuits. And wow you should see Nyx...hot! In fact...we have some gorgeous girls on here, if I were a guy....well! PJ's and sweats were my bestest friends, and still are, but I'm a slob! Now I wear suits and it covers my bulging Stan. But that is just me....look at some of these girls on the site...flat tummies, cant tell they've got a stoma that's for damn sure! (i'm just old!!) There are all sorts of places that sell swimsuits and specialized nightwear (ahem) for folks that have a romantic life. (sigh)
Misty
 
Monkey, yes those belly bands are supposed to work! That is where I got the idea to order the shirt extender. Andrea, I'm 4 weeks past my surgery and I have been able to where some of my jeans for the past week and a half. Andrea, if you get to have laproscopic surgery, the scars turn out great. Mine are soo tiny. I think my surgeon must be a plastic surgeon on the side. lol This is the swimsuite I tried on the other day and it looked great. It just covered up a little too much in the back for my taste, but the front looked great. It's that kind of 1950's Marilyn Monroe style. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shape-Sol...en-s-Leopard-Shirred-Halter-Swimsuit/15149468
Misty, you are right, Kello82 had great threads. It was very comforting for me to see her thread before my surgery. I'll have to take pictures of me in jeans and cute tops for this thread. I'm 33, and had a lot of concern about style and I was scared I would have to wear sweat pants the rest of my life. Yay, I'm so glad I don't!
 
I'm concerned about clothes too, as im 25 and really into my fashion normally (although the past few weeks i have literally been living in my PJ's and scruffs!)
I LOVE the idea of the shirt extender! One of my concerns is that if i stretch up when wearing trousers and a top, that you will be able to see the bag. Plus im 5'11" so tops are usually short on me anyway, so i thought id have to buy an entire new waredrobe (not that thats a bad thing - just money is a issue!!)
I think like you Kris, i will also be rocking the 'layered look.' Although as the weather gets warmer im a bit more concerned about clothes as things get a bit skimpier.
Trousers i fear will be my biggest issue, so i think i will wear dresses and high waisted skirts alot to start with so i feel like its completely covered when im out!
I also think i will definately invest in some kind of body wrap, especially at first im sure it will help me feel more secure!
Have you seen the covers you can get for the bags!? I was really impressed by these, and thought they were a great idea! I actually thought that during my recovery i could make my own (I LOVE making clothes anyway!) and i could use the fabric from any clothes that i might deem unsuitable for my ileostomy :) so at least im still getting use out of the fabric! lol!
 
Kris...post away those pictures!!!! Cant wait to see some! I'd post pictures, but ya'll would think grandma had gotten loose!
Misty
 
My camera isn't that great. My bag isn't completely empty in these either. I chose a couple of tight shirts to show that you can't see. I see the button and zipper on my jeans more than anything. Remember it's taken in the mirror so it looks like my stoma is on the wrong side. It should be on the right, but it makes it look like it's on the left.
 

Attachments

  • stoma 1.jpg
    stoma 1.jpg
    71 KB
  • Dec. through March 2011 (111).JPG
    Dec. through March 2011 (111).JPG
    61.3 KB
  • Dec. through March 2011 (115).JPG
    Dec. through March 2011 (115).JPG
    57.6 KB
I guess this is a ladies only thread - fashion never crossed my mind! :)

Kris - you look great! Can't see a pouch in those pics.
 
i find that casual clothes are far easier to wear than 'going out' clothes, which tend to be more figure hugging and slinky..

i wear whatever jeans/combats i want, either low slung or not, but i often put on a thin long vest t-shirt under whatever top i'm wearing, just to make sure the area above the waist is covered... even with t-shirts i'll wear a vest under, & as has been mentioned, the layer look is still in :D

i did buy one of those extender thingies, but i found it bit restrictive, especially over bulky denim..

another tip i discovered - to prevent the top of the bag sticking out under clothing, i put a wide strip of soft sticky dressing over that top bit, and there's no bulge whatsover.
 
Kris...you is one sexy gal!!!! Wolfwhistle!!! (no I'm not attracted to ladies, dont take this wrongly)
Well done girlfriend!!!
Misty
 
Thank you ver much for the pictures, its really nice to see thats its really not that obvious at all, thanks for putting me at ease :)
 
Thank you guys:) No Misty I didn't take it wrong.lol I'll add two more pics. The bag is on the correct side this time. The first pic I'm wearing a simple pair of black slacks. The jeans are low ride and the bag sticks up about 3 inches above the top of my jeans. I'll pulled up my shirt a little, so you can see where the button is. These jeans are still a little too tight on my abdomen, because of the soreness and swelling. It's only been 4 weeks. You get the idea though. Vicky, try finding kello82's thread on ileostomy and clothing. She had some great pics too.
 

Attachments

  • more stoma 002.JPG
    more stoma 002.JPG
    63.3 KB
  • more stoma 005.JPG
    more stoma 005.JPG
    89.1 KB
Misty- 'flat tummy', after 14 months on Pred, I wish hun!! I'm now up to a UK size 10-12, my biggest in years. I am hoping to loose all this pred weight after surgery.
Kris- looking good there. Has put some of my fears to rest.

Thank you all x
 
I'm really not too sure that this forum wants to loose all it's members in one go- and they would be running for the hills trust me, should I appear in a swimsuit!
 
Size 10 is big!!!??? I'm currently up to a 14 -16. Prior to my surgery I was as low as an 8 and as big as a 12. My current issue is that the left side of my stomach is noticeably bigger than my right. It's not too bad if I wear my girdle under my more slinky clothes...but for the most part I've taken to wearing looser clothing than I'm used to. My Oscar is pretty big (at about 2" by 2") so he sticks out pretty far. I can squish him down, but he doesn't like that...lol

There are pics of me and my fat ass on here somewhere in a bathing suit....lol
 
Just a quick question (hadn't thought of it until reading Nyx post above), but can the stoma be squished down or put under some tight band to hide it should I ever put the little black number on again? How delicate is this thing?
 
Welsh-bird said:
Just a quick question (hadn't thought of it until reading Nyx post above), but can the stoma be squished down or put under some tight band to hide it should I ever put the little black number on again? How delicate is this thing?
Click to expand...


i can only comment re ileostomies, as i don't have much knowledge of colostomies... i try not to squish mine down, as it could cause the output to leak under the flange, or make a build up of output/air behind the stoma.. i don't think they're VERY delicate, but there is no pain sensation in the actual stoma. i once got banged right on my stoma by a shopping trolley handle, and the pain was behind it, deep inside my stomach, yet the stoma itself didn't hurt... so i'd be wary about doing anything to restrict it too much.

i have a couple of little black dresses that i feel quite confident in.. i wear either leggings under, which come up to my waistline, or knickers that are like shorts which do the same. with those, and my adhesive tape on the top, there is no tell-tale bulge at all.
 
Thanks Ding- mine too will be an Ileo (still going ahead with the loop just in case the pathology report comes back UC). It's the little thing's that I haven't thought about- have random questions entering my head at the most inconvenient of times right now. Thank god my stoma nurse was born with the patients of a saint- she's most certainly earned her wage this month!I'm sure I'll be back with an endless list of questions before the days out...
 
Dont worry Andrea, I'm asking tuns of questions too!
I had a random thought the other day......what if a dog jumped up at me and ripped it with its claw, or knocked it off!! lol! But then i thought 'well they dont rip through clothes!!' LOL!
We're bound to have tuns of stuff going round in our heads at the mo!
I also wondered about 'spanx' (the high waisted control pants) or just control pants in general.....could you wear these or would they be TOO tight?? Coz if i wanted to wear my nicer stuff, i think id like to wear something like that underneith.
 
I wear those control top pants all the time to squish Oscar down. But I have a colostomy, so if there's any output it doesn't get pushed under my flange (it's too thick for that).
 
Girls! I am getting some nice control undies with a built in pouch cover and support on the NHS! From CUI International. I just take the order form into the Dr's and have it signed and it's in the post to me! They can even custom make things.

You can squish your stoma a bit....it'll still work. Just dont put a tight corset over it! (unless you've taken LOTS of immodium??)

I have dogs Vicki, and Freya jumps...I've had to train her not to jump on me. It was a problem when I just got home from hospital with my staples just out. Stomas dont really have alot of feeling in them, but obviously they need to be protected. I find the knee works to keep a dog off me...and a firm no! So far no problems.

Misty
 
Vicky, I think Spanx may be a little too tight. I was thinking about trying control top panty hose and cutting the legs off. I got my shirt extender in the mail and it just wasn't tight enough. I might have to try the belly bands instead. The tank tops I have are the perfect tightness, but I don't always want a tank top underneath. The search continues.lol
Amy, I'm so glad to see you on here:) I hope you are recovering well.
Joe, you can always contribute your opinion to what work pants I should get. I don't dress in girl clothes where I work. I'm going to buy some men's dockers with the pockets on the legs.
 
I wear the Marisa Fit Cargo pants from Victoria's Secret...they're the most comfortable things ever! And they have a knit waistband so it's not too tight on Oscar's head...lol
 
Kris,

Who did you get to model for the pics ?. . . . because there certainly is no sign of an ileostomy unless my eyes decieve me.

You look fab !

Oh and i am currently 23 st / 146kg ! . .just a little more than a size 10 !!

Ha ha , good luck to you all ladies

Bruscar
 
Thank you! Hopefully we get more tips on here. It really helps to hear what others wear to feel confident, sexy and comfortable. Even from the guys;)
 
Kris, all...

I am going to try and post some pictures of some of the clothes I've gotten since Stan was born. But, give me till next week cause I've no digital camera, and a friend has to use their phone camera.

They are clothes that are fashionable, but def hide stomas and the lopsided effect that some of us have. And for those of you on a budget in the UK and the US...alot of the clothes are from ASDA (or from Walmart in the US) and from Marks and Spencer here in the UK.

Stay tuned....but please dont tease me...cause I'm no model! (understatement of the year!)

Misty
 
Good on ya Misty,

Have no fear we are all friends here !!

As a man Kris i honestly don't try to look sexy ha ha, lycra just isnt me !!

No seriously, the biggest trouble i have is leg length, as i need to wear my trousers and jeans around my waist as oppose to under the overhang/muffin top ! . . . where all big guys theirs.

I am 6' 4 " so the leg length would already be an issue anyway, but hey i will figure it all out at some stage.

Good luck with it all ladies, and any gents too !!


Bruscar
 
I recently made a thread with tips on how I dress to cover my ileostomy, and my main tip was to wear high waisted shorts/skirts because jeans and trousers always cause leaks for me.
But I'm so surprised to see that everyone wears jeans and trousers! I find them very uncomfortable! Doesn't it cause leakage for anyone? :O How do you all wear them?
 
I have a colostomy, so leakage isn't an issue for me anyway. So that leaves me with alot of options for clothes.
 
sparkles said:
I recently made a thread with tips on how I dress to cover my ileostomy, and my main tip was to wear high waisted shorts/skirts because jeans and trousers always cause leaks for me.
But I'm so surprised to see that everyone wears jeans and trousers! I find them very uncomfortable! Doesn't it cause leakage for anyone? :O How do you all wear them?
Click to expand...

I havent found a pair of jeans yet that work for me either! Then again, I HATE shopping anyway, so that isn't a surprise.

Misty
 
I am curious to see how my current jean wardrobe works with my new ostomy. 8 years ago when I had my temp, jean styles were much different - not as low cut and not a "skinny" jean in site. I have a feeling many of my current pairs will be headed to my friends closests.

Today is my first day being "dressed" since surgery - I did well with my standard uniform of cotton dress over leggings. But sadly it's not quite warm enough to put the boots away for the winter!
 
The low rise jeans work good for me. They just can't be too tight. The waistline hits right at my stoma and a little below. Good thing too, I look awful in anything high waisted.The jeans of today are so great because of the stretchy material they use. My bag got pretty full and it didn't bust. (I wasn't near a CLEAN bathroom, so I waited longer than usual to empty.) I hate public bathrooms, with or without a bag.
Misty, Levi's brand makes a lot of great jeans with flattering styles. They aren't that expensive either. My weight has gone up and down so much in the past 2 years that I don't want to invest in anything too expensive.
 
Jeans were a real problem for me, but I still never stopped trying to wear them!

Long, loose shirts look great, in dark colors. Leggings are great. High waisted skirts are perfect. Anything too tight, like spanks, is very bad for an illiostomy.

The best thing I did while I had my stoma was get wraps from http://www.ostomysecrets.com/. They really do a good job of keeping the stoma hidden!

I am also on Kellos old clothes thread in a swimsuit. You can't even see it! Swimming with my bag was totally liberating and great! I felt like the bravest person in the world!

Good luck lady's. I promise, you can still be stylish and have an ostomy! Some day maybe I will learn how to post picks and prove it (my husband posted the swim picture for me)!
 
Thank you Nicole:) I'm looking forward to swimming soon. I've tried on one already and was amazed how well it was hidden. I'm more worried about the rest of my body in a swimsuit. lol I've been enjoying eating too much.
 
Facing a resection this week, surgeon has me listed as a +/- ostomy (depending on the amount of inflammation, but I just know I'm getting one, I know it's inflamed and he's not going to have a choice...) so I am freaking out over this. I'm really into working out/body sculpting (it's really the only thing about my body I have been able to control for the past couple of years) so I am freaking over how I am going to dress after this potential new hurdle. This thread made me feel a whole lot better. You look great and it gives me peace of mind that I'll be able to wear some of my normal clothes afterward! Thank you so much.
 
Your welcome. I hope your surgery goes well, and you won't even have to worry about this yet. But, if you do, know that you will make it work and everything will be fine. I've been working out for the past few weeks and I've noticed that I can build muscle a lot easier than when I was flaring all of the time.
 
this thread is great! I'm having my surgery on 12th may! I've been buying floaty style tops and dress length tops and leggings. I used to be size 8, size 10 after child birth. After 13 months of steroids I'm now size 16! I'm hoping some of this weight will go after surgery when I'm of the evil pred! as long as the chubbyness on the face goes i'll be happy! where did you all get you stoma placed? I've not been able to wear jeans in over a year, been living in skirts, dresses and leggings. is it better to have stoma lower or higher?
 
Two words for you: MATERNITY JEANS. Just discovered them based on suggestion in a different thread and they are GREAT! So comfortable around my stoma and they look fab, too. People can't believe they are maternity jeans!
 
Hi guys I wear jeggings which look just like jeans but have a stretchy waistband, and they look good with anything!!
 
what a great topic!

i bought so many floaty tops etc before my surgery thinking i would need to change my wardrobe but i can't believe how flat the ileostomy bag is! especially because i've lost so much weight and look a bit like a surf board lol, i thought it would be even more noticeable.

i'm 4 weeks post op (had open surgery) i ventured out yesterday in my old skinny jeans which are low rise and a tight top, yay! lol

i really want to try some belts and waist bands though, even though i know the bag won't come off, it would just feel nicer to have the extra security. i have to say my stoma nurse has given me no advice whatsoever on this subject so i've just been trying to search online. i bought control pants, they were v.tight and even though i'd be happy to wear them i didn't know if i would do any kind of damage...also i like tucking the bottom of the bag into my underwear but at night the bag really heats up!
 
clothes for colostomy hiding

I have a tough time finding clothes I like. However There is one style dress and dressy kind of top that I feel very comfortable ( as in, can you see my bag with this on? ) in has a nice light silky bottom shirt to it and on top it has like a layered tier. I wish I could draw it on here because it is hard for me to explain. It is sort of like layering but the layers don't really lay on top of each other. I think the material has allot too do with it. I don't want to wear something that is going to stick to me. I notice that many of the comments on here give much better advice that me. I have to say I am exceptionally self conscious about myself. Whether it is my bag, my hair...my loss of hair, my skin. I always feel like everyone is noticing my "flaws". I don't even want to say 'flaws' though. It is really just my 'humaness'. Which really shouldn't worry me as everyone else seems to be human too! lol. oh, jeez, why do I even answer these things. Don't go by me!
 
littlefreebird said:
what a great topic!

i bought so many floaty tops etc before my surgery thinking i would need to change my wardrobe but i can't believe how flat the ileostomy bag is! especially because i've lost so much weight and look a bit like a surf board lol, i thought it would be even more noticeable.

i'm 4 weeks post op (had open surgery) i ventured out yesterday in my old skinny jeans which are low rise and a tight top, yay! lol

i really want to try some belts and waist bands though, even though i know the bag won't come off, it would just feel nicer to have the extra security. i have to say my stoma nurse has given me no advice whatsoever on this subject so i've just been trying to search online. i bought control pants, they were v.tight and even though i'd be happy to wear them i didn't know if i would do any kind of damage...also i like tucking the bottom of the bag into my underwear but at night the bag really heats up!
Click to expand...

I wear this at night for sleeping...you can put your underwear under it, and it keeps your bag from flopping all over the place when you sleep...it was one of the first things I ever bought and it has turned out to be the most useful by far.

http://www.weircomfees.com/demo/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=201
 

Similar threads

M
NEW TO CROHNS FORUM
Replies
14
Views
2K
Monet Janet
M
N
Top surgery after colectomy + ileostomy?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Tony H
Tony H
InstantCoffee
Finally stable with diet!
Replies
0
Views
2K
InstantCoffee
InstantCoffee
gotumtum
A bit of a journey and back again
Replies
8
Views
14K
gotumtum
gotumtum
ladyphoenix1010
Washable Incontinence Underwear for 12 Year Old Girl
Replies
8
Views
2K
Maya142
Maya142

Latest posts

Back
Top