Ostomy Support Belt

An artificial opening created in the abdomen to divert the passage of feces away from the lower part of the intestinal tract is known asan ostomy. Two gastrointestinal ostomies are known as colostomy and ileostomy.

You may need an ostomy when your anus, colon, or rectum stops functioning or becomes diseased. In such a scenario, your doctor will opt to disconnected the diseased part of the GI tract from the healthy one and bring the end of the functioning part of the gut through an opening in the abdomen to create a stoma during a surgical procedure. After surgery, feces will pass out through the stoma instead of the anus. Since there are no sphincter muscles in the stoma, you will have no voluntary control over when to pass out stools. That is why you will need to wear an ostomy bag over the stoma the entire time to manage stool evacuations.

You may wonder if there is a way to secure an attached ostomy bag since its weight can affect the adhesion of the bag’s baseplate or flange. That’s where you can consider using an ostomy belt, which keeps an ostomy bag in place.

Wearing this belt is a precautionary measure that can prevent a lot of stoma related emergencies. Since these belts come in different sizes, styles, and forms, you have to make sure to select the most appropriate one. You can discuss your requirements with an ostomy care nurse to get the best suggestion in this regard.

The best thing about an ostomy belt is that it consists of a flexible and breathable material that adapts to the body's contours. It means that you won’t be sweating during any physical activity that requires a bit of exertion.

A high-quality ostomy belt will expand while your ostomy pouch fills with the fecal content. It will provide you a very comfortable experience while keeping all of your ostomy supplies in place.

These belts are beneficial for everyone. The only reason some people remain uncomfortable with these belts is nothing other than the lack of proper coaching on use and management.

Here are some benefits of ostomy belts.

• This belt can be an alternative for adhesives for people whose abdominal skin is too sensitive.
• This belt comes in handy when you are using a convex skin barrier.
• This belt helps prevent incisional hernias by reducing the risk of the hernia defect.
• It keeps an ostomy pouch in place, preventing it from shaking and moving.
• Due to their discreet profile, you can wear these belts under any type of clothing. No one will be able to tell if you are wearing an ostomy belt.
• It moves around the contours of the body effortlessly.
• Although these belts keep an ostomy pouch in place, they do not put pressure on the stoma.
• Because this belt prevents the ostomy pouch from dragging, it can prevent or treat peristomal skin rash.

While an ostomy belt is a safe product for most people, you have to discuss with your doctor or ostomy care nurse if you want to use one.