What you wear can affect your health, and that’s especially true if you’ve had an ostomy, a procedure that directs the body’s waste products through an incision in the abdomen to collect in a pouch outside the body. That’s why it’s important to be choosy about not just your clothing, but also your appliances, like ostomy belts. These belts help support your pouch and keep it securely placed against your skin, thereby preventing leaks, waste backups, and even hernias.
A number of companies are putting out ostomy belts made of polyester, a petroleum-derived product. While polyester has long been used for manufacturing clothing (think back to its heyday in the 1970s), it’s a problematic material. For starters, it doesn’t move with your skin, thereby creating friction and discomfort. It also doesn’t allow your skin to breathe, instead trapping heat and moisture under the material and allowing for a buildup of fungi and bacteria, which can lead to skin problems like itchiness, redness, and rashes. This holds especially true of delicate peristomal skin, the skin surrounding the stoma (the abdominal incision).
In addition, polyester sheds harmful plastic microfibers. In fact, it’s the single biggest contributor to microplastic contamination in our homes, environment, and inside our bodies. The fibers are small enough to be absorbed through the skin and make their way directly into the bloodstream. Benzene and BPA, both used to make polyester, are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors. Why should what you wear compromise your health?
The obvious choice is to go for a product that is body- and environment-friendly. SIIL Ostomy’s ostomy belt is made from 100% certified organic spandex. This medical-grade material is breathable, preventing overheating and allowing for air circulation. It’s also nontoxic, hypoallergenic, and dermatologically tested for comfort and safety with long-term use. And it moves with your body, so there’s no irritation or rash.
In addition, if you ever have a question or problem, SIIL’s customer service department is first-rate. They’re friendly, responsive, and ensure their customers’ complete satisfaction.
I used to use another manufacturer’s belt, but it was plastic-derived, restrictive, and uncomfortable, and I could never wait to take it off. Now that I have a SIIL belt, I find that once I put it on, I completely forget I’m wearing it — it’s that comfortable. And my peristomal skin remains clean and clear.
If you’re an ostomate looking for real-world solutions, the choice for an ideal belt is clear. If you know an ostomate who would benefit from this information, please share the link. Comfort, satisfaction, and safety should always be givens, and with SIIL, you know you’ll get all three.
[Full disclosure: Miriam Ruff is an ostomate who serves as an ambassador for and affiliate of Madrid-based SIIL Ostomy. She advocates for ostomates on their behalf.]
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