From Stillwater-Ponca City (OK) Ostomy Outlook September 1997:

Sitting Down

by Rosemary Watt, RN, ET, Stanford Univ.; via Metro Maryland; and Lawton-Ft. Sill (OK) Chapter

"Sitting Down" doesn't seem like an important topic of discussion, but many ostomates have problems because their lifestyles involve "sitting down" much of the time. They may be secretaries or business executives, salesmen who spend a lot of time driving cars, and ostomates who are paraplegics who spend their waking hours in wheelchairs. Going to a movie involves sitting for several hours.

An appliance capacity may be decreased by 50% or even more when the sitting position is assumed. The pouch must be straightened out when you are seated. Men can do this by putting a hand in the trouser pocket. Women have a somewhat more difficult time, but can straighten the leg on the appliance side and adjust the pouch while they appear to be smoothing a skirt or straightening the leg of a slack suit.

An appliance belt that fits correctly may be too tight when seated, since we increase our girth when sitting. The belt may need to be loosened slightly before sitting for a long period of time.

Trouser belts may fit too tightly over an appliance when seated and prevent stool or urine from entering the pouch. The belt tightness can be tested when seated by inserting a finger under the belt or trouser.


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Content last revised 1997-09-08