Learning Ostomy

Question:

I am not a spokesperson for, nor an employee of, NuHope Laboratories. However I recently purchased a NuHope Support Belt and have found it to be one of the better moves that I have made since becoming an ostomate.     I’ve had the belt for roughly six weeks.  In addition to helping support my hernia, it has improved wear time for my wafer.  I used to get about three or four days from a wafer and now get a week with no problem.  The belt holds the wafer securely in place so that there is now no leakage (I do also use an Eakin seal with a convex wafer) and eases the strain from the hernia when I lift things that I know I shouldn’t.  Another fringe benefit is that Medicare picked up a good share of the cost of the belt.     Just a thought for those having hernia problems.        Gene B.

Response:

Gene Beckman wrote: > I am not a spokesperson for, nor an employee of, NuHope Laboratories. > However I recently purchased a NuHope Support Belt and have found it to be > one of the better moves that I have made since becoming an ostomate. >     I’ve had the belt for roughly six weeks.  In addition to helping support > my hernia, it has improved wear time for my wafer.  

  Great to hear you found a solution, Gene.  I am in very much of a similar stitimatation.  I had been happily using the Convatec Natura Durahesive appliance for the past several years, and I was getting a full, solid week’s wear out of each flange.  Then my hernia got progressively worse, and I was getting only a few days wear out of each flange.  I ended up in an ER when I went through a two month’s supply of flanges that would no longer work. I found that I DID need a larger appliance, but it failed even faster due to the bulge from the hernia. I am now using the Hollister "floating" flange appliance in the extended wear version. While I do admit it IS much more comfortable having the pressure around stoma and hernia taken away, I do not really like the Hollister level of quality. I find that the bags actually wear out just from the clips they provide!    So, I would appreciate some more info from you: What appliance were you wearing before, and are you still using it with the belt? Do you find that the belt has limits to how long you can wear it at one time, or do you keep it on all day?  Do you find it comfortable when wearing it and do you think it would cause probs in warm weather?? When you DO remove the belt, do you find some "relief" that you might sometimes just want to NOT wear it? (this would be my downfall, if it was sometime easier to NOT wear an expensive device) What version of the belt do you have? There are, I believe, two different weave types. How well has it held up in the time you have had it, and do you think you might need to have more than one for regular use??  Lastly, do you find that the belt now allows you to wear clothing that you could not wear before?? I had to resort to a DRASTIC wardrobe change. NOT easy for us guys, eh??    Sorry for the long-winded grilling, but I need to know if the belt would be a better, permanent solution for me. And then I could go back to the less bulky Convatec flanges.  Thanks muchly in advance.                         ;-Deano

Response:

I second your endorsement. I don’t have a hernia, but have found the Nu-Hope belt very worthwhile anyway.  I use it after changing my appliance to get a good initial seal, or, if I get a very slight leak and don’t want to immediately change my appliance. I also use it when swimming as added insurance against a leak..

Response:

Dean–I was, and still am, using the Convatec two piece appliance with convexity.  I leave the belt on from immediately after getting up in the morning until bedtime.  I bought the "Cool Comfort" version which probably "breathes" more than the regular one.  I have not felt the need to have a second one as a backup since I have found that it can be washed in warm, soapy water (by hand).  The "poop sheet" (no pun intended) that came with it says to air dry it after washing.  I did not make any wardrobe adjustments with the belt but, since it does hold the gut in place, it would be possible to wear slim and trim clothing except for the fact that I weigh 260 pounds (6′0") so slim and trim is not really my description.  Mine is 6" wide and is quite comfortable to wear all day, although one day I goofed with the velcro fastening and got part of the velcro against my skin, which resulted in a spot that bled slightly–not a big deal but sore for a day or two.  If the occasion arises for a shower during the day, I take it off and then put it right back on after toweling.     Hope this helps you make a decision.  As I said, I am not a spokesperson for NuHope Labs but do feel that have a good product here.        Gene B

Response:

Gene Beckman wrote: > Dean–I was, and still am, using the Convatec two piece appliance with > convexity.  I leave the belt on from immediately after getting up in > is quite comfortable to wear all day, although one day I goofed with the > velcro fastening and got part of the velcro against my skin, which resulted > in a spot that bled slightly–not a big deal but sore for a day or two.  If > the occasion arises for a shower during the day, I take it off and then put > it right back on after toweling. >     Hope this helps you make a decision.  As I said, I am not a spokesperson > for NuHope Labs but do feel that have a good product here.        Gene B

Thanks, Gene. I really needed that input.  ;-Deano

Response:

I request a kit for measuring and am getting a different one from last time. It also showed how to cut it to support the hernia like I have so I clipped my old belt and think I like the support. I agree that when you have a large hernia you will  be much more comfortable! Cherri

Response:

Deano: On the fabric type, I have the mesh fabric belt. Since I’ve never tried the cotton fabric, I can’t compare the two. The mesh is reasonably comfortable, but it wears like iron, cleans easily and is probably cooler than the cotton.

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