What to Wear When You Have a Stoma

You may be concerned about the clothing you can wear after stoma surgery. Explore some simple tips for men and women here, and learn what clothing choices work best after stoma surgery.

Learn about what clothing to wear when you have a stoma.

After you’ve recovered from stoma surgery, you may be concerned about what you can wear. You may wish to keep your clothing loose for the first couple of weeks, because your tummy may feel uncomfortable. But the good news is that in a few weeks, you should be able to wear your usual clothes.

Wearing tight-fitting clothes will not affect your stoma. However, if the operation was an emergency and the location of your stoma was not planned in advance, it may be necessary to adjust the waistline on your clothes slightly.

Clothing tips for men with a stoma

• Depending on your personal style preferences, you may want to try trousers with waistband pleats, which can give you more room across the stoma pouch area. These types of trousers are available in most stores.
• If desired, tight-fitting clothes and denim can still be worn
• A belt can sometimes cause a problem if it goes across the stoma. Braces may work better.
• Some companies design specific clothing for men with a stoma, such as swimwear, underwear, and high-waisted trousers

Clothing tips for women with a stoma

• Some companies design specific clothing for women with a stoma, such as swimwear, underwear, nightwear, and high-waisted tights
• Patterned swimwear may enhance discretion
• If desired, tight-fitting clothes and denim can still be worn
• You can still wear a support girdle after stoma surgery