Struggling with Intimacy Due to Physical Conditions

I find it difficult with my bag getting in the way when we want to be intimate. I also have a hormone imbalance which causes me to have a large belly. My tumor is a result of that hormone problem. Though, what does one do to keep the bag from getting in the way? Thank you.

Mart

Depending on your stoma and how active you are, they make a stoma cap that you can wear, and you have to plan your meals so that you aren't active at the time you want to have fun with your wife.

I fold my bag up and tape it or tuck it into the flap of fabric on the bag. stops it from swinging around and afterwards I can just unfold it and go to sleep :)

You can buy a belt or wrap to put around you at the time.

You can tape the bag out of the way. Use some good bandage tape and tape it up high and to the side.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I suggest you look at the site www.ostomysecrets.com. They have a wrap that you can use to cover your bag and it helps keep it out of the way. I find it very useful.

Being a female, I have issues too. My surgeon had found me some tube tops; they also sell belly bands for pregnant women. Wrap it around you and you are good to go. Even though it is for women, I can't see why it wouldn't work for a male as well. Just some suggestions... good luck!

I ran into the same problem recently. But I found that a stretchy tube top neatly held my bag in place and kept it out of sight. I have also discovered that not eating or drinking very much for about 4 hours before intimacy really slowed Helga the Horrible's activity. My husband is very kind and gentle, and we have discovered so many new things that increase our time together. I hope that you are able to find some answers and comfort here. Ostomates are amazing people who have so much intelligence and insight that you will be able to discover something that works for you and your wife.

Hey, try this website: http://www.stealthbelt.com/ They seem to have some pretty cool ostomy belts which, to me, look more like a scarf tied around your belly. You put your bag on sideways and place it into the belt where it gets zipped inside, and it's basically not noticeable as wearing a bag that's flopping around. You can even wear it during sports or swimming (and it won't come off until you take it off). The prices are a bit steep, but I like the concept, and they look pretty cool. Check it out!

Thanks for the info, Green Eyed Lady! I know that I am going to check it out immediately! I just wish I could find some bags that would stay on after showering and swimming. I always have to change it after it gets wet because they leak horribly. I tried using waterproof medical tape, but that didn't help. Someone suggested using Saran wrap, but I didn't understand what they meant on how to use it.

Hmmm... I wear a 2-piece Hollister New Image wafer and separate pouch, and I have no trouble showering at all. I just remove the bag and shower just with my wafer on. As soon as I get out of the shower, I towel off the wafer really well and then just put the bag back on. I try to shower when rosebud isn't as active (before meals is a good time or a couple of hours after meals). My bags do not leak after swimming, either. When I swim, I put my bag on sideways (across the belly button) and just slip into my suit. I wear tankini suits that seem to cover up the slight bulge we have from the appliances. It hides it very well. There are also other types of bags by Hollister that are either shorter (7 mini drainable) or closed end 7. This makes it so much more comfortable when swimming or wanting to wear shorter shorts! Let me know why your bags are leaking (if you can figure the culprit out). If I were you, though, I'd ask for free samples from other companies to try different wafers/bags to come up with the right one for you. You definitely shouldn't have to deal with leaking bags after showering or swimming. There are also stoma caps or bandages that you can wear (for short periods like showering)... use these when output is minimal. Hope this stuff helps you!

After I shower, I pat the bandage area of the wafer with toilet paper, and then take another dry piece and wrap it around the outside, between the wafer and pouch, and then put on my shorts. By the time I shave, have my morning oatmeal and coffee, the area is dry.

I use Coloplast Sensura 1 Piece, they stay on a dream whether it's a 5 minute shower or a 45 minute bath! Then blast them with cool air from the hairdryer for 5 or so minutes and it's dry :)