What does "discretion" truly mean?
“Discretion” may mean different things to different people when living with an ostomy, and some people worry about drawing unwanted attention to their pouching system.
When talking about discretion, although it might be natural to immediately think about the visual appearance of your pouching system, there may be many other ways you feel the discreetness of your pouch could be compromised. Concerns about appearance, sound, and smell may all play into your daily experience and should be considered together when living with an ostomy.
This article provides some helpful hints on how you can combat the tell-tale signs of a pouching system. We’ll explain how we target discretion with SenSura® Mio so you may live your life knowing that this concern is taken care of for you.
What can I do to help reduce my concern about the discreetness of my pouch?Certain clothing may help to conceal the presence of an ostomy pouch.
For many, clothes may be the first line of defense when you want to keep your pouching system discrete.
Embracing casual clothing may be one approach to how you dress when you have an ostomy. Casual clothes often have a looser fit and can include untucked shirts or baggy sweaters, all of which may reduce the worry about concealing your ostomy pouch.
Striped or patterned clothes may also help to conceal your ostomy pouch and take attention away from a bulge on your abdomen.
Layering your clothes could also help. When at work, professional attire can be leveraged towards discretion by wearing a suit jacket or a blazer. This can conceal the shape of your ostomy pouch, while still providing a comfortable fit.
Sizing is naturally important when buying new outfits. Some people living with an ostomy may choose to buy some of their clothes one size up, as they find looser fitting clothes more comfortable and easier to hide their pouching system under.
There are things you can do to help reduce odor if you are worried about smells
One thing you may do to help reduce odor from your pouching system is monitor your body’s response to different foods and beverages. Since everyone’s body reacts differently, you should pay special attention to what you consume and what kind of effects it may have.
Regularly emptying your ostomy pouch is another way to manage odors. Reach out to your nurse or call Coloplast® Care at 1-877-858-2656 if you have questions about how and when to empty your pouch.
Some people may opt to use odor eliminators to further reduce any odors or smells. These deodorants can come in both liquid and gel form and can be added to your ostomy pouch every time you change or empty it.
