January/February 2006
Page 5
You Can Hide Your Ostomy
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
To you, the ostomy bag attached to you is painfully obvious. When you look in the mirror, you notice the bag under your clothes. You might think every gurgle and noise coming from your stoma is loud and heard by everyone in the room.
Most people won't notice your ostomy unless you tell them about it. As you get used to your ostomy, you'll figure out tips and tricks to keep the bag hidden and the noises to a minimum. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Empty your ostomy bag when it gets to be one-third full. That way it won't bulge under your clothes.
- Work with your ostomy nurse to find the ostomy pouching system that works best for you.
- If you're worried about the odor when emptying your ostomy bag, ask your ostomy nurse or visit your medical supply store for pouch deodorants or air sprays to minimize odor.
- Ask a close friend or loved one whose opinion you trust whether your ostomy bag is visible under your clothes or if the sounds your ostomy makes are as loud as you think they are. Everyone's body makes noises and produces odors from time to time. While it can be embarrassing, don't let a fear of what could go wrong keep you from going about your day
Some more suggestions (not really advised) on how to hide your Ostomy:
- Wear a clown costume
- Take up humming or whistling
- Hang out with someone who never bathes
- Become a hermit
- Work in a bowling alley
- Move to Antarctica (heavy clothing)
- Get one of those yapping little dogs
- Carry old fish in your pockets
- Learn to walk on stilts
- Become a Monk (loose clothing)
- Join a nudist colony (no clothing, but people won't be looking at the pouch)
SOURCE: The Visitor, Portland, Maine, Sept/Oct 2005, via Inside Out On-line Jan/Feb 06.
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