You do not have to compromise fashion when you have an ostomy. Even though an ostomy bag can be cumbersome under clothing and concealing it can be tricky, you do not have to live in big baggy oversized sweatpants or sweatsuits for the duration you have an ostomy. Cute outfits can be compiled from a few versatile pieces that you may have in your closet or can be easily affordable at discount or department stores.
This video is geared obviously toward women, but men can find ways to make fashion work for them as well. Having an ostomy does not have to hold you back from having the confidence to wear what you want and look and feel good doing it. This video demonstrates some easy outfits that are not exclusive to a certain size or shape of body. No matter what size you are, there’s always something out there to make you feel beautiful.
Clothing and fashion is something I have always loved and looking nice from the outside helped me deal with a lot of the turmoil I felt about having an ostomy on this inside. Dressing up and feeling beautiful was great medicine for the duration of time I had my ostomy. It was important to dress up as often as possible. But don’t get me wrong, wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt is very comfortable so wear what works for you! These are just guidelines on fashion and everyone is different! Have fun dressing up!!
If you have any questions about fashion and an ostomy holla at me! Nadia@UCVlog.com
QUESTION: HOW DOES YOUR ILLNESS INTERFERE WITH YOU ENJOYING SPECIAL OCCASIONS?
These are summer fashion tips and ideas when wearing an ostomy bag in the summer and springtime. You do not have to compromise fashion and having an ostomy bag should NEVER hold you back from feeling beautiful, confident, and fashionable! When I had my ileostomy, I had it for the duration of the fall and winter seasons, however, for the sake of this video, I attached an ostomy bag full with water to my former ileostomy site to show how fashion can be year round! You don’t have to give up your style, but with a few adjustments, you can make it work! There is even swimwear, shorts, cute short dresses, and skirts that can be worn. However, due to my culture, I am unable to model those types of clothes for you. No worries! You can make them work as well! There are ways to adjust your wardrobe, very cost effectively, to make the most out of fashion in order to conceal the lines of a full ostomy bag. Watch me while I show you how! Have fun experimenting with fashion! Feel free to add any tips or suggestions in the comment box below!!
“”Style” is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma.” ~John Fairchild
~Nadia
QUESTION: HAS HAVING AN OSTOMY EFFECTED YOUR CONFIDENCE? SHARE WITH US.
Each month on the third Tuesday, my ostomy support group holds their meetings. In April, there was a special adjustment to our monthly meeting, and it was held Wednesday, April 21st at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. This special meeting featured speakers and was sponsored by ConvaTecand many reps from the ConvaTtec company were in attendance.
The special guests for the evening were Cricket Henley of Ostomy Secrets and Rolf Benirschke of Great Comebacks. It was a very inspiring evening as both Rolf and Cricket told their stories of how Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis nearly destroyed their lives and their careers, but after ostomy surgery, they came back to achieve amazing things. Rolf played for the San Diego Chargers football team when he became ill. If any of you are interested in hearing his story, it is worth taking the time to read his books and read his story HERE. Cricket is now the Director of Communications at Ostomy Secrets. Please take the time to read her story HERE.
Both Cricket and Rolf show that no matter how devastating this illness can be, taking a horrible situation and turning it around into something positive is truly possible. Their lively spirits and their willingness to share the most intimate details of their journey using humor made the evening very special. I think that many times during their speech, I shook my head because it so related to my own journey. It was a night of food, fun, and inspiration.
I know that I’m only 19 years old, and most of my ostomates in my support group are decades older and wiser, but they always make me feel like I’m part of their family. I love them, and I love being part of their community. It was a fun filled night. One that I will remember forever.
“This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.” ~Will Allen Dromgoole
~Nadia
Below, I have shared a few photos of Cricket and I, and also Rolf and I, and some of my parents.
Once you’ve gotten to the point where you need to change your bag or if you have a leak, there is a process to remove the ostomy bag/appliance. Generally, I showered without anything. I removed the bag and wafer every 3 days, sometimes up to a week. A leak can happen where the stool seeps under the wafer onto your skin. At these points, the bag will need to be changed as well as applying a new wafer. My demonstration video shows my process and technique of changing the bag. Keep in mind, I no longer have my ileostomy and I am using a mock stoma model. There is no right or wrong way to remove and change the bag. Everybody is different, this just worked well for me.
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~William Arthur Ward
~Nadia
QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE A TECHNIQUE OR PROCESS ON REMOVING YOUR OSTOMY APPLIANCE? SHARE YOUR TIPS HERE!
You do not have to compromise fashion when you have an ostomy. Even though an ostomy bag can be cumbersome under clothing and concealing it can be tricky, you do not have to live in big baggy oversized sweatpants or sweatsuits for the duration you have an ostomy. Cute outfits can be compiled from a few versatile pieces that you may have in your closet or can be easily affordable at discount or department stores.
This video is geared obviously toward women, but men can find ways to make fashion work for them as well. Having an ostomy does not have to hold you back from having the confidence to wear what you want and look and feel good doing it. This video demonstrates some easy outfits that are not exclusive to a certain size or bodyshape. No matter what size you are, there’s always something out there to make you feel beautiful.
Clothing and fashion is something I have always loved and looking nice from the outside helped me deal with a lot of the turmoil I felt about having an ostomy on this inside. Dressing up and feeling beautiful was great medicine for the duration of time I had my ostomy. I don’t have an ostomy anymore, but revisiting it was like riding a bike. I didn’t forget what it was like. When I had my ostomy it was important for me to take the time and invest it in my body and self image, and fashion was a great way to help myself feel better. But don’t get me wrong, wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt is very comfortable, and I love wearing comfy clothes as well, so wear what works for you! There’s no right or wrong way to do this. These are just guidelines that worked well for me in the world of fashion but everyone is different! So, find what works for you, explore fashion and have fun dressing up!!
If you have any questions about fashion and an ostomy holla at me! Nadia@UCVlog.com
QUESTION: WHAT MAKES YOU MOST COMFORTABLE WEARING WITH YOUR OSTOMY? COMMENT OR POST PHOTOS OF YOUR FASHION IDEAS OR SHARE YOUR TIPS AND TRICKS!
For whatever reason this showering video has been one of my most popular made so far. In this video I talk about some things to keep in mind when showering with an ileostomy, how to protect it better, and how to ensure that the seal doesn’t get too damaged by water.
But one strategy I didn’t mention, that I wish I would’ve known at the time, was that using a swim wrap often makes showering a breeze! You can purchase them at online stores such as Ostomysecrets.com and other places. Basically, these stores sell cloth wraps that go around your waist, protecting the ostomy bag. They give the bag support so it doesn’t just hang down and put stress on the seal. Now, I’ve never tried one out myself, but many people have told me they wear them while showering, and they make a big difference in ensuring the longevity of your appliance wear.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: How do you shower with your ileostomy? Reply to this post for all to learn!
Today the United States is celebrating World Ostomy Day, and to raise awareness Uncover Ostomy is heavily promoting the pictures of Jessica Grossman, ostomate extraordinaire. I think the UOAA and IDEAS are fine with you passing these images around to whoever you know.
Also, another fun facet of the Uncover Ostomy campaign is the companion Facebook page. Nearly 1,000 others are fans, and many have started to upload their own photos “uncovering” their ostomies. More provocative pictures of ostomies if you are into this sort of thing.
Here’s the world famous photos of Jess.
Keep fighting, especially those of you with ostomies,
~Dennis
Continuing the series on blood, this video mentions everything you need to know about your ileostomy and blood. How much blood should come from it? What might blood indicate? This video should clear up any questions you have about blood from this artificial orifice.
Apparently there are other ways to drive with an ostomy than my method.
Weir Comfees is an ostomy fashion company that just came out with a new product, the Comfy Drive seat belt cover. This little padding Velcros around your seat belt to keep the seat belt from pressing against your stoma.
For those who are unfamiliar, the UOAA helps support an ostomy magazine called the Phoenix. The magazine comes out every three months and is a great resource for people living with ostomies. For those who are even living with an ostomy temporarily, the magazine is filled with stories of hope about other ostomates who are making their way in this world.
In the September 2009 issue, you’ll find a story by me about how the ileostomy surgery, not the J-pouch surgery, ultimately saved my life.
And even better, you’ll find a story by our friend Nadia. In her piece she talks about the struggles she has gone through, and the good that has come of it. If you’ve ever seen her videos, she’s almost always smiling and laughing in spite of her setbacks. Her attitude towards this whole disease thing is definitely commendable.
Many of us have ostomies only temporarily. And many people around the world are in need of supplies. So if you have any extra unused, new, and clean supplies, send them our way!
We are collecting supplies to send to Haiti with a medical team!
Current progress:
1114 bags and flanges
2108 medical supplies
