Weddings with a stoma | by Rachel
Being invited to a wedding is a huge honour. A lot may be involved, including hair, makeup, the clothes, and if you are staying over being away from home. When having a stoma, there is alot to wrap your head around if it is your first time at such a special event. Here are my tips on how to navigate this:
Clothing
If you are given a dress to wear, make sure it is suitable for emptying and changing if needed. Try it on, and bend and move as you normally would to ensure you feel comfortable and your bag is not under any pressure. Too tight, and too much pressure in your bag may cause a leak. Be completely honest with the bride if it is not suitable, and work together to find alternative solutions. There are lots of options out there to choose from that wrap around, smock styles, and layers and pleats to conceal things. A cut that allows for a more loose fitting around the waist, will allow your bag to fill without needing to empty it straight away. Lots of my fellow ostomates have shared some lovely outfits on their socials. Search hashtags with wedding and stoma to see what comes up. Having a back up outfit would also be a sensible idea should the worse happen and a leak occur through your dress. Support wear could be your best friend, whether you wear high rise underwear, or buy a support band or belt, you have options.
Emptying and hydrations
Wedding days are typically jam packed with activities and socialising. You may go a few hours forgetting to empty when you normally would. I always advise to empty every time you urinate, little and often. This ensures your bag never overflows. At weddings it’s easy to get distracted and lots of time goes by, before you realise you haven’t had a drink. It’s the perfect environment to get dehydrated before you realise, with alcohol potentially being a factor, and losing track of time as you’re having so much fun. Electrolytes can be used to support hydration, drinking little and often, and alternating between alcohol and non alcoholic drinks. You may start feeling signs of early dehydration such as a headache, darker coloured urine, less frequent urination, or drowsiness. If so, take a break, rehydrate, and give yourself some time out.
Accessory products
There are some accessory products that could support you on special occasions and even more so, when being away from home and your typical routine. Absorb capsules are a golden ticket item if you have watery output, as when popped into your pouch, they help solidify the stool. This will enable the base plate to last longer. Having miniatures of sprays are ideal for having a bag change with you when you don’t want to carry a lot of bulk, particularly helpful at an event like a wedding. Having multi use products will always support you in this. Refresh 3 in 1 is perfect for this situation being a barrier, adhesive remover, and having a fresh linen scent. Available in 50ml, it can be carried about easily in most small bags to compliment occasional wear.
Finally…
Weddings can be some of the best days for making memories with loved ones, and soak up the joy of those around you. Such a great boost of dopamine up for the taking! Be prepared, bring back up stoma bag changes, and keep hydrated and you’ll have a great time.
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