Every surgery comes with a post-event with an impact that can only be personally felt. If you’ve just gone through a colostomy and are considering a colostomy bag cover and wraps, I have highlighted and discussed the essentials of these supporting systems below. Dive in.
What is a colostomy wrap?
Colostomy wraps are the essential post-surgery accessories worn around the abdomen by patients to support and cover up your colostomy appliance. A colostomy wrap is more or less like a belt with one or two pockets where you can keep your ostomy system as a patient. If you have two colostomies, a two-pockets colostomy wrap would be ideal. On the other hand, one pocket is enough for one colostomy.
What is a colostomy bag cover?
The colostomy bag cover is simply the protection system designed to cover your colostomy bag. By structure, it is a pouch-like fabric with fasteners.
While there are DIY colostomy bag cover designs, most people prefer going for the premade one. If you fall under this category, below are the things you should consider to choose the right one.
How Do You Choose Your Colostomy Bag Cover?
Ask your doctor first; depending on the conditions around your surgery, your health, and your doctor, you may or may not be allowed to use a cover. What can be a great option then is a colostomy wrap or not bag support at all.
- Size matters; first off, the covering fabric must be sufficient enough to effectively conceal your pouch. With this confirmed, wear the pouch and fasten it around your waist to know if it’s the right size for you. And as most sellers won’t allow you to test-drive, take the actual measurement of your waist, the region where the incision is, and ensure that the size of the cover is in alignment with that.
- Filter or not; filters allow easy and constant release of gas from the incision. This will make your pouch last longer while preventing colostomy odor. So, it makes sense to opt for covers that come with filters. Some wraps do too, so look out.
- Fabric; the texture of the cover’s fabric must be such that is easy to wash and comfortable on your skin. Another thing is, depending on the weather of your geolocation, some fabrics can be too thick, causing your incision area to heat up or even skin-burns. But while going for a soft fabric, make sure it’s not too soft enough to tear easily.
- Pockets/extra features; some covers and wraps are designed to support swimming while others aren’t water-proofed. Likewise, especially for a colostomy wrap, pouch covers with pockets offers storage space for your add-ons such as your sprayer or your replacement filters.
With that said, here are some tips to help your covers and wraps last longer.
Maintaining Your Colostomy Wraps And Cover
- Wash every single day with antioxidants
- Never use the same cover two times in a roll
- Store in an air-tight space when not in use