Feeling Great is Always in Fashion
Living with 2 Ostomies Since 1974
Jearlean Taylor has never known life without an ostomy. She has had two ostomies (colostomy and urostomy) since she was just two years old. But with the support of her family and her own inner drive, she triumphed to become a successful model, author and businessperson. Here she shares her story and offers ostomy fashion tips that work—both on and off the runway.
Dressing Up and Looking Great
Maybe you don’t want to be a fashion model. Maybe you just want to look good at your friend’s party this weekend. Here are some practical fashion tips Jearlean learned from the modeling business that work in everyday life, too.
When in doubt, try it on.
“Maybe not every outfit will work for your ostomy, but something will. If you like something, try it on. You may be surprised.”
You can make anything fashionable.
“Sometimes I throw on a scarf with an outfit. I might put a belt around my waist. Even when it may seem strange or crazy, I put an outfit on to see if it makes me feel confident.”
Find the right jeans.
“A lot of people want to get back in their jeans again. If you’re anxious to get back into jeans right after surgery, try maternity jeans; they stretch and put less pressure on your pouch as you get comfortable with your ostomy.”
Fashion-friendly wraps.
“Some ostomy wraps have a pocket on the inside that securely fits your pouch and keeps it flat against your abdomen to help relieve the pressure of your pouch filling. This is helpful when you’re wearing certain kinds of clothes.”
Feel good about yourself.
“No matter who you are, you’re beautiful. You’re carefully and wonderfully made. You’re a designer original. There’s nobody like you.”
Have questions about living with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy?
ConvaTec’s expert team of me+™ ostomy nurses and product specialists is only a phone call away.
Call: 1-800-422-8811 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-7:00pm ET)
Email: cic@convatec.com
I have been living with 2 Ostomy myself for a little over a year. Due complications from my cancer treatment. I have so many questions from another person that lives with 2 Ostomys. Is this possible ?
Hello,
You can always contact a local support group listed here https://www.ostomy.org/support-group-finder/ to see if anyone with 2 ostomies is in your area and may be able to talk with you. A few blogs of people with two ostomies you may be able to contact include. Roxanne at https://mystomaangel.com/ and Jearline who is mentioned in this story. http://www.prettygirlblues.com/
Thank you very much, I have already tried locally. No luck. But I will try the links you provided me. Thank again
You can also post on our discussion board as well to find others. https://www.uoaa.org/forum/index.php