Hi,
I am currently looking for ostomy intimate apparel. If anyone knows where I can find such a thing please advise. I figure if I have to live with my ostomy I am gonna try to get along with it. I am also looking for bathing suits. I hope I don't have to have my ileostomy long but the way it is looking, I'm in it for the long haul. This is the third time I had to have it put back on due to problems with fistulas. I don't have Crohn's disease I have UC. I was diagnosed with UC 15years ago and I had my initial surgery 10 years ago. I had problems with scar tissue and I had to get dilated on and off for 9 years. Finally my doctor suggested that I have some of my scar tissue removed in January of 2003. After that I developed a fistula. I have been battling the fistula ever since and finally in October 2006, after numerous surgeries, I have my current ileostomy. If anyone has experienced anything like this please let me know. I guess that brings me to my current situation, I think I may be living with this for who knows the rest of my life, and I want to try to feel better about it. So if anyone knows of intimate apparel for ostomies or bathing suits and such please let me know.
Hanging on,
dot #2
It sounds like you have been through the ringer, I hope that your fistula heals - or at least improves. I have had a very similar experience to yours; I have crohns, and have had an ileostomy since 93 and have been dealing with scar tissue since about 95, I have already had a couple of surgeries to remove the stricures, but they tend to come back. I am hoping that eventually they will stay away. Since September I have had a bad abscess that had to be removed and packed (not at all a pleasant experience) and a bad blockage, they tried to dilate me for a couple of months but the opening has gotten narrower, so narrow that now they can't dilate me at all, and I am having surgery in a couple of weeks. I was really hoping to go 5 years between surgeries but only made it 3 and a half.
There are a couple of web sites out there that sell ostomy intimate apparel. If you do a search for ostomy underwear you should find them. I have never actually bought any of it, I just like the regular stuff and my ex didn't care about the bag so I didn't think much about covering it up. As for a bathing suit...I also buy regular suits, but it is hard to find ones that work. I really like the tankinis from llbean - they are high wasted enough, lined and also come in patterns which is key to hiding the appliance. Plus, having a two piece makes using the bathroom frequently to keep the bag empty at the beach or pool much easier than pulling on and off a wet bathing suit. I also love the surfer shorts...I hope they never go out of style :) Good luck, I hope things get better for you!
Happiness is a journey not a destination - Souza
There are a couple of web sites out there that sell ostomy intimate apparel. If you do a search for ostomy underwear you should find them. I have never actually bought any of it, I just like the regular stuff and my ex didn't care about the bag so I didn't think much about covering it up. As for a bathing suit...I also buy regular suits, but it is hard to find ones that work. I really like the tankinis from llbean - they are high wasted enough, lined and also come in patterns which is key to hiding the appliance. Plus, having a two piece makes using the bathroom frequently to keep the bag empty at the beach or pool much easier than pulling on and off a wet bathing suit. I also love the surfer shorts...I hope they never go out of style :) Good luck, I hope things get better for you!
Happiness is a journey not a destination - Souza
Dear Dot#2-Any regular lingerie should work. I have read other posts that suggest using a tank top as a cover up. I'm not a fan of that. Why do that when you can get a corset or a garter with some nice stockings. Some corsets come without the garters so you don't have to bother with the stockings. Also, crotchless undies can be kinda hot. As for swimsuits, I have also been looking. I am 3 weeks post-op after ileostomy surgery. If you happen to live near a nordstroms-go there. They have really high quality name brand suits. Most of them are lined and there is ton to choose from. If you don't live near a nordstroms, I would go to a big department store and look for the more expensive suits. The better quality the better the fabric to help cover the bag. Good luck.
Hello Dot.
I have used whiterosecollection.com for underwear,nightwear and swimwear. I have found them to be very good.