An ostomy may be necessary for a number of reasons, including temporary or permanent management of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or diverticulitis. With this procedure, a surgically created opening in the abdomen allows bodily waste to be rerouted into what's called a stoma bag, or an ostomy bag, which needs to be emptied and cleaned periodically.
Adjusting to an ostomy takes time, both physically and emotionally, says Parul Shukla, MD, the regional chief of colon and rectal surgery at Northwell Health in New York City. Even when an ostomy bag is used for a short time before another surgery that seals that opening, it can be tricky to feel comfortable, he says. Everyday routines around going to the bathroom, eating, exercising, and being intimate can all require different strategies. Figuring out what to wear is on that list, too.
"You may need to experiment with different tactics to feel comfortable, and that will sometimes lead to changing how you live in some ways," says Dr. Shukla. "Finding ways to feel good about yourself is part of that."
Here are some clothing tips to help bolster your self-confidence when you have an ostomy bag.
1. Focus on Adjustability
Having an ostomy doesn't have to mean throwing out your current wardrobe. Your favorite pieces can often be adjusted or modified so they can be more comfortable with an ostomy bag. That could include raising the waistband or sewing more fabric into a garment like a shirt or dress to accommodate the bag, for example.
"The key to adjusting or styling is that the clothing must be breathable," says Gaylyn Henderson, who started experiencing symptoms of Crohn's disease in 1998 and needed an ostomy a few years later. Since then, the 41-year-old Atlanta-based model has lived with an ostomy bag. She details her experiences in an Instagram account, @gutlessandglamorous, and does modeling projects that often prominently feature her ostomy bag.
"Throughout the day, your ostomy appliance will expand,” she says. “As a result, your clothing must be able to do the same. Opt for soft, flexible materials that move with your body."
Another tip for keeping the bag close to the body and unnoticeable but still able to expand is to use an ostomy wrap. This looks like a large belt but is made of soft fabric and adjustable; it has leak control through a specially designed pocket for the ostomy bag.
2. Consider Patterns and Textures
Beyond the materials you choose, you want to consider the visible aspects of your clothing and how they work with your ostomy bag. For example, textured fabrics, dark colors, ruffles, and patterns can help conceal the outline of an ostomy bag, particularly in comparison to fabrics that hug the body, says Henderson.
3. Go High-Waisted
Because an ostomy bag is usually placed near the belly button — and sometimes slightly lower — clothing that has a high waistline can be helpful, says Henderson. That's because items like pants, skirts, and swim bottoms can be secured above the ostomy bag, which helps keep it secure, she says. High-waisted underwear can offer more support, too.
You can also wear high-waisted leggings or tights underneath pants or dresses to ensure security, but you may need to empty the bag more often, since it may not be able to expand as much as it would under looser clothes, says Henderson. The same can be true for tighter pants.
"Very soon after my first ostomy surgery, I was wearing jeans that didn't have any give or flow and I had an accident. It was mortifying, although no one else knew," Henderson says. "Since then, I avoid tight waistbands that may cut around or near my stoma."
4. Wear Layers
You don't need to be able to peel yourself like an onion, but wearing just a couple layers can provide extra coverage and more confidence, says Henderson. That could mean layering a long tank top or shirt underneath a long-sleeve shirt with a blazer or sweater on top, for example. This can camouflage an ostomy bag, even when it's starting to get full.
5. Don’t Shy Away From Clothes You Love
Having an ostomy does not need to impede your fashion choices, says Henderson. You may need to make adjustments, but those should lead toward choosing clothes that make you feel joyful, not away from that feeling.
"Don't be discouraged in thinking you will never be able to wear your favorite clothing pieces again," she says. "Fashion is being able to wear what you want and being comfortable and confident. If you feel good, you look good. Experiment with different pieces, and see what fits you and your personality best. Blending in isn’t always in style."
That's particularly important when you have an ostomy bag, since it may affect your emotional well-being, says Shukla. "This is a situation where your self-esteem can be impacted," he says. "There may be significant changes to your body image, so it's important to find ways to care for yourself that are empowering."
The Takeaway
Having an ostomy bag can often bring changes in body image and self-perception.
Clothing choices can help both psychologically and practically by giving you a feeling of confidence about dressing with an ostomy bag.
Comfort is key when choosing clothes when you have an ostomy bag, but making it your style is crucial as well, so look for what you like and experiment with different pieces.
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Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.
Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.
She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.
Elizabeth Millard is a freelance writer based in northern Minnesota. She focuses on health, wellness, and fitness, and has written for Runner's World, Bicycling, Self, Women's Health, Men's Health, Prevention, Experience Life, and more. She is an American Council on Exercise–certified personal trainer and a Yoga Alliance-registered yoga teacher. She graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in English.
