Body image & clothing

Whether male or female, we all have our own personal perception of our bodies – our likes and dislikes.

Your surgery will involve a physical change to your body, and this may, in turn, affect how you feel about yourself. This is normal, and it may take time to adjust to these changes.

Regardless of surgery, we all come in different shapes and sizes and often find it comforting and helpful to talk about our body image worries.

“Your stoma is a small bit of your overall body and it’s important to remember that and not let it dominate everything – it will from time to time – but don’t let it all the time.” Carole living with a stoma.

How does having a stoma affect your body image?

For many people, adjusting to life with a stoma is as much an emotional journey as it is a physical one. Changes in the appearance of your abdomen, the presence of a stoma bag, and shifts in your body shape can all affect your self[BR3.1] confidence, particularly when it comes to how you dress and present yourself.

It is completely natural to feel self conscious at first. Some people feel anxious about whether a stoma bag will be visible under clothing, while others feel uncertain about how to adapt their existing wardrobe. These are common concerns, and you are far from alone in experiencing them.

It can help to speak openly with others who understand what you are going through. Our emotional challenges page offers guidance on processing the feelings that can arise after surgery, and our psychological well-being hub provides dedicated support tools and resources to help you find what works for you.

Many ostomists find that, with time and the right support, their relationship with their body - and with getting dressed - becomes more positive over time. Choosing clothing that feels comfortable and reflects your personal style is one of the small, everyday ways you can reconnect with who you are.

What clothes can you wear with a stoma? Our top tips

When it comes to choosing clothing, people have very individual styles and preferences.

There is no reason why you can’t wear a variety of different clothing that is comfortable and fashionable.

The most important rule with clothing, is to ensure that belts or waistbands are not worn over your stoma or restrict the bag too much.

There are specialist stoma underwear, swimwear and clothing companies that produce clothing for people with stomas but this is not necessary to purchase or wear – your usual clothing should be suitable.

If you wish to buy new clothing because your size or body shape has changed, high street stores have a variety of styles and trends to suit.

You can wear anything you like, but here are a few suggestions that may help you to choose your clothing.

How to wear clothes with a stoma bag: practical tips

Getting dressed with a stoma bag is something that most people find becomes part of your routine over time. Here are a few practical tips that may help as you find what works for you.

• Empty or change your bag before getting dressed if you are concerned about visibility or bulk under clothing. A recently emptied bag is often less noticeable.

• Many people find that high waisted styles - trousers, skirts, or leggings - sit comfortably above the stoma and provide a gentle layer of coverage without compression.

• Patterned or textured fabrics, as well as darker colours, can help to further disguise the outline of a bag if this is a concern for you.

• Looser, layered tops such as tunics, camisoles worn under open shirts, or flowing blouses are popular choices for adding coverage while remaining stylish.

Stoma support belts and wraps can be worn discreetly under clothing to provide additional security and peace of mind during activity. Visit our additional stoma products page for more information on support accessories.

If you enjoy being active, it is worth knowing that many ostomists continue to exercise in regular gym wear or sportswear. For more on this, see our training and exercise guidance.

Women:

Below are some styles that many women find work particularly well when dressing with a stoma:

• Vest tops
• Camisoles
• Tunics
• 1-piece swimwear or tankini
• Sarong
• High waisted trousers or skirts
• Maternity tights, jeans, jeggings

Confidence BE^® has been designed to help you feel confident in your own skin, this piece gives you the freedom to wear what you like, with a choice of three colours: black, white, and stone. 

Men:

The following clothing items and styles are commonly recommended by men living with a stoma:

• Vests
• Boxers
• Tunics
• High waisted trousers
• Braces
• Swimming trunks

Stoma swimwear and underwear:

Swimming is a question many ostomists have when thinking about clothing. The good news is that most people with a stoma are able to swim and enjoy the water as they did before surgery - it is simply a matter of choosing the right swimwear and ensuring your bag is secure.

For detailed advice on swimming and other holiday activities with a stoma, visit our holidays and travel page, which includes swimwear company recommendations and practical tips for going away with a stoma.

For everyday wear, specialist stoma underwear is designed to provide gentle support and additional discretion. Options include:

Support wraps and cummerbunds that hold the bag against the body and reduce movement.

Specialist boxer shorts and briefs for men with built-in support panels.

Swimwear designed with internal pockets or panels to accommodate a stoma bag discreetly.

While specialist clothing is not essential, many ostomists find it helpful - particularly in the earlier months after surgery or when taking part in activities they feel self-conscious about.

Confidence BE®

Confidence BE^® has been designed to allow you to feel confidence in your own skin and to give you the opportunity to wear what you'd like with its choice of three colours - black, white and stone. 

To find out more about how Confidence BE® can support your well-being, visit our emotional well-being hub or meet the BE Community to hear stories from real ostomists about how the right bag changed the way they approach getting dressed and living their life.

Useful websites

The following companies have been recommended by ostomists:

• Kettlewell: www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk
• Chums: www.chums.co.uk
• JD Williams: www.jdwilliams.co.uk
• Simply Swim: www.simplyswim.com