Run Run Away

Question:

 I’m a man with ( I think ) a reasonably trim figure and a stoma that’s sticks out quite a bit because of a rupture ( another story), when I dress up I either wear loose fitting clothes or a loose fairly long sweater.   I’ve found,  and believe that even when wearing fairly tight clothing no one notices.  My two bit advice for a woman show your best features face, top, bottom or whatever and at least men and I suspect woun’t  notice your belly.  Gas noises I don’t know what to about that. It only happens to me when I’m around pretty girls. But then at age 74 you are all pretty.  Worry less and keep on chucking.   Roy

Response:

Mari, The curved clip is just that, it is curved instead of straight. You mentioned that you wear a long bag. Try a shorter bag. You may have to empty often but you will not have the bag folded up and stuffed into your underwear. When I first started wearing ostomy products the hospital gave me the ’standard’ size. Since I’m 5′ 2" and short waisted the pouches were too long. They would fill up and the clip would slide over that ’special’ spot. I didn’t feel like being in the ‘mood’ everytime I walked around so changing to a smaller pouch worked for me. You may want to consider it to help your pouch look smooother under your clothes. Best of luck, Susan VA mari <m…@teknova.com> wrote in message

news:9ebcb0e4.0311292101.6140f138@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Susan, > thanks for the info. > Wow, I can’t believe you can wear running pants!!! > I am petite also and I am wearing a "long " bag. > I’ll look into a short bag. > What is a "curved clip" > Thanks! > "Noel" <noe…@hotmail.com> wrote in message <news:bq8reh$pjd$1@bob. > > Susan > > VA > > mari <m…@teknova.com> wrote in messag

Response:

Hollister has nifty clips that curve to avoid the big straight line. It is bad enough to have a bulge without the clip making it more unatural. They work pretty well too. "mari" <m…@teknova.com> wrote in message

news:9ebcb0e4.0311292101.6140f138@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Susan, > thanks for the info. > Wow, I can’t believe you can wear running pants!!! > I am petite also and I am wearing a "long " bag. > I’ll look into a short bag. > What is a "curved clip" > Thanks! > "Noel" <noe…@hotmail.com> wrote in message <news:bq8reh$pjd$1@bob. > > Susan > > VA > > mari <m…@teknova.com> wrote in messag

Response:

Hi Susan, thanks for the info. Wow, I can’t believe you can wear running pants!!! I am petite also and I am wearing a "long " bag. I’ll look into a short bag. What is a "curved clip" Thanks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Noel" <noe…@hotmail.com> wrote in message <news:bq8reh$pjd$1@bob. > Susan > VA > mari <m…@teknova.com> wrote in messag

Response:

I just received an ostomy 2 weeks ago. I had one 10 years ago for 3 months and it was reversed to a j-pouch. This time, however, this ole bag and me may beome long friends. The problem: I am a successful 46 year old woman. I have sales people reporting to me, I meet with customers, attend products shows, etc, etc. I am in the public about 80% of my working time. I have just tried on all my work outfits and I can see THE BAG!!! And that is when it is relatively empty! What do you do when it starts filling up and expanding and you are talking to someone??? What do you do if you are having lunch and you start farting??? Although the people I work with know my situation, I deal with a lot of first time customers and I don’t want to go into the whole story with them. I don’t want to go into the whole story with my existing customers, either. I would love to hear how you "hide" your bag and how you deal wuth the customer entertaining part. Thanks!

Response:

well i guess its a bit different for a bloke, but i dont worry about trying to hide it at all. as a matter of fact i’m so damn ugly that i really should let my bag hang out and scribe a funny face on it just to get a bit of attention! maybe you should wear a kaftan robe or a tent! I KNOW wear a trench coat and flash a naked breast, nobody would ever notice a bag bulge then. i’m a computer engineer, nobody cares what i look like or what i wear be happy – dont worry bruce ileostomate 17months  On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:26:57 -0800, mari wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just received an ostomy 2 weeks ago. I had one 10 years ago for 3 months > and it was reversed to a j-pouch. This time, however, this ole bag and me > may beome long friends. > The problem: I am a successful 46 year old woman. I have sales people > reporting to me, I meet with customers, attend products shows, etc, etc. I > am in the public about 80% of my working time. I have just tried on all my > work outfits and I can see THE BAG!!! And that is when it is relatively > empty! What do you do when it starts filling up and expanding and you are > talking to someone??? What do you do if you are having lunch and you start > farting??? Although the people I work with know my situation, I deal with > a lot of first time customers and I don’t want to go into the whole story > with them. I don’t want to go into the whole story with my existing > customers, either. > I would love to hear how you "hide" your bag and how you deal wuth the > customer entertaining part. > Thanks!

Response:

Just a thought— Maybe a swash of material across the front of your business attire would discreetly shield you, as you wish. As far as noises, if they start, simply casually moving your arm onto your lap, then using the lower part of your arm to gently press against your stoma area will help. This also muffles, diminishes the sound volume. Also, sometimes you may joke and say that your stomach is growling. Almost no one knows what a stoma is, so they will think it simply just is your stomach growling, like anyone else’s does. As far as  gas, make sure you do not go long periods without eating at least a little bit. An empty stomach/intestines just simply loves to make gas, and will do so any time it is empty. Any thoughts on that beautiful and discreet swash of material? You may appear stunning!!! Best to you—- Ron BTW, people will (not) notice you—-can you remember the bus driver’s hair color this morning?—–don’t be hard on yourself, when no one else is—- (smile) mari <m…@teknova.com> wrote in message

news:9ebcb0e4.0311261626.16399893@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just received an ostomy 2 weeks ago. I had one 10 years ago for 3 > months and it was reversed to a j-pouch. This time, however, this ole > bag and me may beome long friends. > The problem: I am a successful 46 year old woman. I have sales people > reporting to me, I meet with customers, attend products shows, etc, > etc. I am in the public about 80% of my working time. > I have just tried on all my work outfits and I can see THE BAG!!! And > that is when it is relatively empty! What do you do when it starts > filling up and expanding and you are talking to someone??? > What do you do if you are having lunch and you start farting??? > Although the people I work with know my situation, I deal with a lot > of first time customers and I don’t want to go into the whole story > with them. I don’t want to go into the whole story with my existing > customers, either. > I would love to hear how you "hide" your bag and how you deal wuth the > customer entertaining part. > Thanks!

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Response:

i’m on the opposite end of the long bag fence … i wear a hollister new image mini-bag. i found wearing a long bag left a "bulge" in my pants (not good for girl!).  the new image have a very low profile and the cloth cover makes them relatively rustle-proof.   a pair of briefs or hi-cut panties worn over the bag (if your stoma is low enough) can help hide the bag (i do that when i have to wear a skirt).  helps keep the bag flush to your skin even when it starts to get full.   wear outfits that highlight your face, keep people looking up and no one will notice. good luck! Lauren! (take out the "nojunk" to reply) beer drinking, sax playing, baseball junkie on a rampage … beware!

Response:

Lauren, she said she has had a j-pouch so she will be a little short gutted with probably higher, more liquid output than the "normal" ileostomy.  That was the reason for the longer pouch.   She did not mention flat belly or pleasingly plump…<grin>  that makes a difference too.

Response:

Bruce, I love your sense of humor. Rene in Texas "bruce" <r…@benz.edz.mob> wrote in message

news:pan.2003.11.28.07.25.48.661841@benz.edz.mob… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> well i guess its a bit different for a bloke, but i dont worry about > trying to hide it at all. as a matter of fact i’m so damn ugly that i > really should let my bag hang out and scribe a funny face on it just to > get a bit of attention! > maybe you should wear a kaftan robe or a tent! I KNOW wear a trench coat > and flash a naked breast, nobody would ever notice a bag bulge then. > i’m a computer engineer, nobody cares what i look like or what i wear > be happy – dont worry > bruce > ileostomate 17months >  On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:26:57 -0800, mari wrote: > > I just received an ostomy 2 weeks ago. I had one 10 years ago for 3 months > > and it was reversed to a j-pouch. This time, however, this ole bag and me > > may beome long friends. > > The problem: I am a successful 46 year old woman. I have sales people > > reporting to me, I meet with customers, attend products shows, etc, etc. I > > am in the public about 80% of my working time. I have just tried on all my > > work outfits and I can see THE BAG!!! And that is when it is relatively > > empty! What do you do when it starts filling up and expanding and you are > > talking to someone??? What do you do if you are having lunch and you start > > farting??? Although the people I work with know my situation, I deal with > > a lot of first time customers and I don’t want to go into the whole story > > with them. I don’t want to go into the whole story with my existing > > customers, either. > > I would love to hear how you "hide" your bag and how you deal wuth the > > customer entertaining part. > > Thanks!

Response:

Well, Mari, only men have responded so far to your question. I am a woman and have dressed for 50 years with an ileostomy.  I am retired now, but have been a business person where everyone was looking to see what they could see.  I am a retired ET and have lectured all over the country aside from working one on one with ostomy patients. Everybody was always looking for the pouch. Watch your sugar intake…makes a lot of gas for most ppl.  Applesauce is good between meals as well as saltine crackers. As mentioned, and empty gut makes noises. Most ppl want to wear a small pouch..I found that a long one was better. When the small pouch fills, it is noticeable because it is out front on your stomach.  With a longer pouch, the pouch fills lower on the abdomen, leaving a flat belly.  As far as what to wear…I always liked over blouses or sweaters with suits or dresses with a jacket.  Wear skirts that have soft pleats..something that is not smooth across your belly.  Large purses are always handy when you have to slip out at break time.  Thigh hi hose have been good too. If you are wearing a 2 piece system, leaving a little air in the pouch will smooth out the ring the flange makes. Good luck Jane

Response:

Mari, I work with the public in retail. I wear close fitting slacks and skirts, even lycra running pants and someone would have to stare real hard, look very close and know about my stoma to see it thru my clothes. Maybe when the pouch needs emptying you might see a lop sided tummy. But with all the tight or close fitting clothes I have no one has ever mentioned anything. I am petite and wear a size 4 womens. Not sure if that makes a difference but perhaps you are feeling a bit self conscience about your ostomy. Since you have only had your ostomy 2 weeks your stoma is swollen and will take some time to find its smaller natural size. That can take several months depending on your situation. Use a curved clip to contour your body shape. Give it some time and try on different outfits. Have family members or close friends ‘look’ for any sign of your stoma. You’ll be surprised at how much you are your worst critic. Take it a day at a time and learn about the new you. I have found it is best not to eat before meeting with customers. The stoma is less active. But do not ’starve’ either, too much air in your system. When you do pass gas it sounds alot like a stomach growling. Empty often if you are concerned about your pouch filling. In the summer I empty more because I do not wear a jacket or sweater. In the winter wear several layers, it will help hide. Soon you will be a pro in no time. Susan VA mari <m…@teknova.com> wrote in message

news:9ebcb0e4.0311261626.16399893@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just received an ostomy 2 weeks ago. I had one 10 years ago for 3 > months and it was reversed to a j-pouch. This time, however, this ole > bag and me may beome long friends. > The problem: I am a successful 46 year old woman. I have sales people > reporting to me, I meet with customers, attend products shows, etc, > etc. I am in the public about 80% of my working time. > I have just tried on all my work outfits and I can see THE BAG!!! And > that is when it is relatively empty! What do you do when it starts > filling up and expanding and you are talking to someone??? > What do you do if you are having lunch and you start farting??? > Although the people I work with know my situation, I deal with a lot > of first time customers and I don’t want to go into the whole story > with them. I don’t want to go into the whole story with my existing > customers, either. > I would love to hear how you "hide" your bag and how you deal wuth the > customer entertaining part. > Thanks!

Response: