*The model in the photo has a stoma and is wearing support
Ostomy veterans from pre-2004
If you had your ostomy surgery before 2004 then chances are your medical team never mentioned support wear to you, and sadly in some areas this is still the case today. Before that time only a few old fashioned 'girdle' type belts were available for hernia support, but nothing was available to prevent or reduce the risk of developing a hernia or improve comfort, or confidence for quality of life with an ostomy. That was until Comfizz came on the scene, a small family business who had been in the business of producing high performance sportswear until a family member had ostomy surgery and they turned their expertise and into developing something their family member could wear to cover and support their stoma. Initially this was not commercially available until their stoma nurse started asking for samples for their stoma patients as there was nothing like it on the market at that time.
Fast Forward to 2014
As Comfizz listened to ostomy patients, surgeons, and stoma nurses over the years they developed a broad range of garments, which are now widely accepted by stoma care professionals as essential and are available on prescription. Comfizz also recognised the need for graded support wear to meet differing situations, for example the level of support needed for someone who works sitting at a desk all day would not be the same as that of a builder or gardener, and so was born the level 1,2, 3 (light, medium & firm) support wear system.
Nurses were coming to Comfizz for support garments to manage a hernia, but Comfizz wanted to find out if swapping regular underwear for support wear would reduce the incidence of hernias, saving the NHS money and saving individuals the personal costs of living with a hernia as well as a stoma. In 2014 a 12 month long clinical study was conducted at the Queens Hospital, London and the results were emphatic.
Clinical Evidence
The study compared incidences of hernias from one year to the following year, before and after support wear intervention. The incidence of hernias in patients who wore support wear was just 1% compared to 23% in the previous year who did not wear support. Patients were advised to wear Comfizz light support immediately after surgery on discharge from hospital then followed up at 3, 6 & 9 months to monitor compliance and also to adjust the level of support as they recovered and became more active.
The Results Are Clear
The chart below shows how wearing support wear in place of regular underwear very significantly reduced the incidence of hernias.
Figure 1: Shows results from study published in the BJN March 2014.
If you have an ostomy, then Support Wear is your friend.
Apart from protecting you against a hernia, support wear will provide you with many other benefits.
- Discretely hides the stoma site, sitting comfortably above the stoma.
- Enhances body shape and reduces the visible bulge from the bag which can be a real boost to self-confidence especially when dressing to impress!
- Supports the weight of your bag as it fills, which will reduce that dragging feeling.
- A life saver when it comes to giving you those vital extra minutes to contain a leak as the compression from the garment helps to hold the bag in place.
- Contributes to improving bag adherence as again the compression gently presses the bag in place.
- Helps you enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep as it holds the bag in place while you sleep.
- Waistbands can make intimacy less intimidating as it hides and supports the bag.
- Support wear by Comfizz uses breathable wicking fabrics which means you stay cool and dry.
- Support wear by Comfizz contains two-way stretch knit so you get complete freedom of movement.
- REDUCE YOUR RISK OF A HERNIA - but if you already have a hernia then you definitely need support wear to help you manage the hernia.
Support wear designed for ostomies is going to give you the confidence, comfort, and protection that you need, all whilst helping reduce your risk of developing a hernia. What's not to love :-)
Comfizz's Offer Three Levels of Support
Level 1 - Light Support Wear
Premium support wear designed to overcome many common difficulties faced by living with a stoma, incontinence, or post-surgical wounds. Soft, gentle support, comfortable enough to wear all day, every day without restricting the flow of a stoma.
Level 2 - Medium Support Wear
Ideal for supporting hernias, or for extra support during exercise activities. Also, ideal for discretely holding larger incontinence pants securely. Soft breathable fabric for ultra comfort.
Level 3 - Firm Support Wear
Premium firm support belt, ideal for holding hernias, protecting hernia repairs and giving extra support during strenuous activity.
You can browse Comfizz support wear here
More than 90% of our garments are available on prescription in the UK*, however the quantity you are allowed each year will depend on your GP and location. Garments are always available to purchase via our website.
*Scotland have a restricted the range of garments available on NHS so check with your GP or stoma nurse.
I have had my stoma for around 18 years. I have always been allowed 6 pairs of level 1 support garments. When I ordered my last 6 garments a few months ago I was told I can’t have them any more as they are just cosmetic. So was refused
As you note, I was not told about parastomial hernias until I learned I would need surgery to repair a hernia. Then I went looking, on my own, for options. I found your website (likely back in 2016/2017). I have been using your Level 2 boxers since then. I very much appreciate the support and confidence they provide. I am still mindful of how I am using my body and how I keep my core strong. I’m in my mid 70’s with two ostomies, quite active – and no recurring problem with a parastomial hernia. Thank you. What you’ve shared in this article is quite important and helpful.
Please more information.
I came across comfizz about a years after my ileostomy surgery. I never bew such products existed so I was very keen to try them out to see if the would address my concerns.
And boy was I surprised! The quality is outstanding and unlike anything I’d come across before. My favourite items are the level 1 boxers as they provide just the right amount of pressure to make me feel secure, it hides my pouch with means I can wear close fitted clothes and no one would ever know! They provide a gentle amount of pressure which throughout the day, gently helps push out any air that might build up in your pouch via the filter in the pouch. They are so soft, comfortable and easy to stick in the washing machine and the don’t lose their shape or support by going saggy. I also wear the waistbands which are a bit more practical and perfect for those special intimate times! I would love to see some of these in the same quality waistbands covered in lace for that extra feminine touch! These things are so important to enable us to carry on living normal lives! And I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in giant plain pants! It would be great to get these on prescription too. I also love the level 2 waistband, as simply by doubling it over, bam! You instantly have twice the support! Don’t need double support? Then this waistband is long enough to wear from under boobs all the way down to bum cheeks! So not only are you getting the pouch support but it holds in all your extra wobbly bits giving the most comfortable, smooth and undetectable support underwear! I absolutely love how it fits and feels on and it gives me the confidence to wear whatever I want! Oh, and did I mention that the waistbands come with a discreet silicone grip on the inner band so it never slips down once it’s in place it stays put until you take it off! Genius.
What are you waiting for? Get yours now and the team are really friendly and knowledgeable so will give you great advice if you’re unsure what to go for. I can’t live without mine! I have them in black and beige and they’re both perfect!
Thank you Comfizz, for giving my confidence back after a traumatic emergency life-saving operation. I have recommended you to all my new ostomy friends I meet in hospital! 🫶🏽
I use your support products every day including my gym days …their use for me has become a natural habit “ DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT ‼️”
Hinterlassen Sie einen Kommentar