Tag: benefits of an ostomy belt

Do you find that your ostomy system is not staying securely attached to your stoma? Is the weight of your ostomy pouch causing it to sag? Are you currently using an ostomy adhesive that is just not providing an adequate seal? These are all questions that may prompt the need to invest in an ostomy belt that can provide some added support and security to your ostomy system.

For those who have a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy, an ostomy belt is one of many ostomy accessories that can help keep an ostomy pouching system snug against the abdomen to prevent potential leakage. Depending on the type of stoma and characteristics of the surrounding skin, the ostomy pouch might not stay securely in place. With an ostomy belt, the ostomy system is pulled into the abdomen, increasing the pressure of the flange against the skin. This ostomy accessory can hold the ostomy pouching system in place by insertion through belt loops attached to the ostomy bag or attach to belt tabs on a skin barrier as it nicely wraps around the abdomen and is secured with velcro strips or other types of closures.

Ostomy belts are considered an optional ostomy accessory for an ostomy pouching system. An ostomy belt is designed to provide additional comfort, support, and discretion and is a popular choice for many ostomy patients. Using this ostomy accessory can help strengthen the seal between the barrier and your skin. It can give added security in hard-to-manage situations, such as those with a stoma that lays flat, retreats inward, or protrudes outward from the body.

The best kind of ostomy support belt will likely expand with your ostomy pouch as it fills, thus providing a very comfortable user experience while keeping all your ostomy appliances in place. Because this ostomy accessory provides this additional security to an ostomy pouching system, this ostomy accessory allows you to live life as usual. With an ostomy belt, different lifestyle activities such as running, jumping, and dancing can be done without worry.

There are a number of benefits when considering an ostomy belt that is right for you.

By using an ostomy belt, it can:

• Provide support to the ostomy pouch, including stabilization and concealment for discreetness
• Be used as an alternative to adhesives or for those with sensitive skin
• Help to reduce leakage and spills of the pouch contents caused by physical movement
• Aid in improving the seal of the ostomy pouching system to the skin surrounding the stoma, especially when using a convex skin barrier
• Help reduce noises produced from the pouch
• Be effective at preventing the ostomy pouch from snagging or detaching from the stoma
• Help prevent skin irritations due to the ostomy pouch dragging or swinging
• Preserve parastomal and incisional hernias from recurring after surgery repair by delivering extra wound support
• Provide improved comfort and security

Each manufacturer has its own ostomy belt style, and not all features will be compatible with other brands of ostomy pouching systems. There are different styles and sizes of ostomy belts, so it is essential to choose one that is interchangeable with the ostomy pouching system you are using.

Cool Comfort Elastic Ostomy Belt

Many of the ostomy belts we carry are by Nu-Hope Laboratories, a manufacturer of Cool Comfort Elastic ostomy belts that form around bulges and other body contours more naturally. Constructed of a blend of polyester, spandex, nylon, and monofilament material, the Cool Comfort elastic ostomy support belt is stretchable, soft, and breathable as it supports the ostomy pouching system.

Regular Elastic

Regular Elastic ostomy belts by Nu-Hope are made of a blend of polyester and spandex material on the inside and are best suited for those with sensitive skin. The outside of the regular elastic belt is solid and smooth to prevent clothes from snagging on the material as it supports the ostomy pouching system.

Wide Elastic

The wider the ostomy belt, the more coverage around the body’s abdominal area, which helps prevent lines and bulges. Wide elastic ostomy belts typically go up to 8 inches wide and considerably improve appearance, security, and peace of mind. The comfortable binder of a wide adjustable belt offers stoma protection and security for longer wear time.

Different Types of Closures

• Hook and Loop Closure – With a hook and loop closure, getting a proper fit can be achieved by simply pulling the straps to the desired tension. Hook and loop closures make adjustments to make it easy to get the right pressure.
• Velcro Closure – One of the easiest ways to adjust an ostomy support belt to the desired fit is with the velcro closure. This velcro closure option also allows a patient to get precise pressure.
• Plastic Belt Buckle – Plastic belt buckles provide the ultimate grip, support, and comfort. The plastic buckles are made to fit ostomy skin barriers that feature belt tabs that match each style.

Ostomy Belts With or Without a Stoma Opening

Ostomy belts that feature an opening reinforced with a durable plastic ring allow for a 360-degree skin barrier and pouch support. This type of belt provides hernia support around the stoma and allows for longer wear time. Ostomy belts without a stoma opening are thinner and only hook onto an ostomy pouch with belt loops or skin barriers that feature belt tabs, such as the Brava Adjustable Ostomy Belt. This belt fits all SenSura and Assura barriers with belt tabs.

Left, Right, or Center Stoma Opening

If you choose an ostomy support belt with a stoma opening, it is essential to select one with the stoma opening on the correct side. By making sure to get this ostomy accessory with the correctly placed stoma opening, you will be sure to get the most comfortable fit without risking any pulling to cause discomfort.

When choosing an ostomy support belt, considering the following attributes can be helpful.

The ostomy belt should:

• Be flexible enough to allow the body to move naturally as the pouch fills with waste
• Have multiple hole placements, left, center, and right
• Feature various hole diameters for a comfortable fit around your ostomy pouching system
• Have an adequate width for desired abdominal coverage
• Be made of high-quality and durable material
• Be a comfortable fit without being too tight

It is important to note that since ostomy belts are constructed of elastic, they will stretch out over time with repeated use and should be replaced once they show the appearance of becoming worn out.

An ostomy support belt is an excellent investment as an ostomy accessory for ostomy patients. If you are unsure about what type of belt to purchase, you can ask for help from our Personally Delivered Product Experts.