Inspiration

Whether you just got your surgery recently or you’ve had it for a while, here are some great resources for you! Trying as many things as possible helps a great deal.

1. United Ostomy Associations of America: Like this Facebook page to receive updates on UOAA activities and learn more about this great organization. They offer education materials, support groups and conferences. They also have an intro magazine with a food list that many people find helpful. Within this group, you can learn a lot from other patients.
   
   
2. The Phoenix magazine has stories, ads for new products, and advice columns to answer your questions.
   
   
3. Ostomy 101: This app and website has support group resources and it’s great to help you learn more about ostomies. They offer classes

 Introduction to Ostomy Belts and Wraps for Children

For children living with an ostomy, maintaining an active and comfortable lifestyle is of utmost importance. An ostomy involves the surgical creation of an opening in the body to allow waste to exit and is often a necessary medical procedure. To support and empower these young warriors, ostomy belts and wraps play a crucial role. These specially designed products offer the much-needed security, confidence, and comfort to children with ostomies, helping them embrace life to the fullest.

Types of Ostomy Belts and Wraps Suitable for Children

Ostomy belts and wraps come in various styles to cater to the diverse needs of children. From slim and discreet options to more comprehensive wraps, manufacturers like Stealth Belt have developed an array of products. Stoma belts, hernia belts, and custom options are among the

Body image is a struggle that has come and gone for me throughout my life. Throughout elementary and middle school I experienced some bullying for being heavier than a lot of the other kids I went to school with. Once I got to high school, I really grew to be more confident with my body. This, of course, all changed once I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis my first year in college. Over the next few years of being on and off steroids, my weight really fluctuated and threw me for a loop. Finally, in 2018 I had my total colectomy surgery and chose my permanent ileostomy a year later.

Having the surgery and choosing to keep my ileostomy opened up a whole new world of body image struggles for me. Immediately after surgery and for a few months after, I was almost in a state of being unphased by anything as I just felt so happy to not be in constant pain anymore. My weight became pretty stable after my surgery since I was able to come off of the steroids and not be in a state of constant

Purchasing ostomy supplies out of pocket can be surprisingly complex. Given the enormous selection of products, sizes and brands, it can feel intimidating, especially for a newbie. Even if you know which specific product you need, there are seemingly endless places to buy them and prices can vary wildly. 

Any new or experienced ostomate can be excused for feeling overwhelmed. But fear not! The following tips will help you make sense of your options and simplify the buying process. Read on and you’ll be an ostomy pro in no time. 

1: Beware of third party sellers

It’s no secret that ostomy supplies can be costly. Whether you’re purchasing entirely out-of-pocket or supplementing what your insurance provides, good prices are probably at the front of your mind. 

The high out-pocket prices of most medical supply companies - especially the ones that bill Medicare and private insurance - often lead prospective shoppers to eBay or Amazon

Ostomy friendships have been an unexpected blessing in my life. I owe so much to my fellow ostomates, and they have saved my life in ways they may never know. I’m so isolated in person, and ostomy friends are my lifeline. I can trust them and share life no matter how far away they are. They are irreplaceable and fabulous.

I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to know the great people I’ve met because of our ostomies. They pull me out of my darkest times, help me serve other ostomates better, and they help me feel free and relaxed. I do not deserve such patient, kind, wonderful friends, so I am deeply grateful. I even met some of the Stealth Belt team as friends first before I ended up as part of the squad! I love working with all sorts of people to promote ostomy awareness and education. Some of my brilliant friends speak to members of the medical field and legislature, and I will be sure to join in on the fun

Swimming is excellent exercise, and it’s also an amazingly relaxing activity. One of the best things about summer is lazing around the pool and taking the occasional dip to cool down.

If you’re living with an ostomy bag, you may feel uncomfortable about the idea of wearing a swimsuit. You may feel exposed or worry about leaks, which can reduce the fun you have at the pool.

In good news, ostomy pouches have specialized mechanisms to resist water and prevent leaking under any circumstances, including swimming and other outdoor activities. By taking a couple of precautions before your swim, you’ll have the confidence to brave the water and make the most out of the summer season.

Choose the Right Swimsuit

Most people feel better swimming with an ostomy bag if they feel it’s hidden. Shop around for snug, one-piece swimsuits for women or high-waisted swimming trunks for men that will cover the stoma and ostomy bag.

Do you want to compare the differences between an ileostomy vs. colostomy bag? Discussing this subject requires you to consider when you may need either of these bags.

To handle specific medical conditions, your healthcare team may sometimes need to make an ostomy – or a small hole in your abdomen that allows urine or stool to leave the body. After the procedure, you may require an ostomy bag. Depending on the treatment, doctors may recommend an ileostomy or a colostomy bag.

The results of either a colostomy or an ileostomy vary. Consider these differences in more detail and learn more about stealth belts by contacting our team at Stealth Belt. You may reach us if you call (800) 237-4491.

Surgeries That Require an Ostomy Bag

Ileostomy and colostomy bags are both types of ostomy bags. Several surgeries may leave you in need of one of these bags,

My daughter, Isabella, is soon turning 6 years old and has conquered many mountains with her ileostomy, since January 2017.  Bella was born with Long Segment Hirschsprung Disease, that took her entire colon and has been linked to her other condition; Cartilage Hair Hypoplasia (a form of dwarfism).  Since discovering Stealth Belt her quality of life and the ability to live it to the fullest have improved! Now we have discovered even more ways that Stealth Belt has improved Bella’s quality of sleep and ability to handle medical procedures. 

A mother's tale about her brave daughter, Bella, and her unwavering warrior spirit through 17 surgeries, a bone marrow transplant, and over 600 days in the hospital. 

From graduating with a Master's degree, to her first post-surgery pull-up, Molly explores the good, the bad, and the ugly when trying to overcome setbacks with her ostomy. 

The Christmas tree has been taken down, the New Year’s Eve confetti has been vacuumed up, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to tackle those New Year’s Resolutions.

"As soon as I found out I was going to be living with an ostomy, I did what any control freak receiving life-changing news would do: started spending hours and hours researching."

Collin Jarvis

Aug 4th, 2016 

My good friend and former training partner, Michael Coe, pitched the idea to go visit our mutual friend in Iceland. How do you say no?