I switch and put the bag vertical at night. I don't take the bag off all the way, I just take it off at the top of the ring and slide it around from sideways to up and down, leaving it connected to the ring . I make sure the bag is empty and I swish it out so there is no mess.
For me the belt works well because my stoma is right where my pants end up. I wear my belt and bag outside my clothes and cover with a shirt. It is much easier with the bag sideways. I also end up emptying a lot less with the belt because it isn't being pulled down with the weight of the poop.
I take it off at night to give my stomache muscles a rest...only been a couple of months since surgery and my stomache muscles a rest.
I use the velcro bags, not a clip.
Hope this helps
David

Is your belt super tight around your waist? I got the medium because it seemed right when I measured, but now I wish I'd gotten the small. It's snug enough on the bottom but the top gaps a bit and I think that's why I don't feel as secure with it. Maybe if it was tighter I'd feel it was doing it's job. Bad thing is that I bought it directly from the site at $50 and I'm sure I can't exchange it. Bummer, I'll have to pay another $50 to see if the small would be any better.

Thanks!
Erin

Hi Erin -

If you PM me your address, I will mail you my belts - one is a medium that I had my mother in law alter to fit me a bit better, but that even turned out too big, so I have two other smalls -and believe it or not, one of the "smalls" is smaller than the others.

Free of charge - I was just going to give them to my ostomy nurse, but you'll make just as good of a home.

Lisa

This is a very interesting (and enlightening) discussion thread. May I ask a related question?

For those of you who have used these belts (the ones that completly enclose your bag), what has your experience been with leaks?

Erin,

If your Phoenix ostomy belt order is less than two weeks old, you can send it back and exchange it for the right size. I found that information on their website under FAQ. Just return it with a copy of your invoice and a note with your size instructions. They will ship you out a new size belt free of charge.

Caty

Hi Rudolph -

In the 7 months I had an illeostomy, I never had one leak. Not one. And you know what I loved? The sense of security that if I did have a leak, the material would act as another layer of protection buying me more time to get to the bathroom to mop up if I needed it. But again, I didn't.

Lisa

So far no leaks for me in the 2 months of having an ostomy...with of without a belt.
Guess I have been lucky in that dept.
David

My husband has the Phoenix Ostomy belt and just loves it. He has to wear suits and this belt allows him to dress and not have to wear suspenders. He likes the way it feels secure and not having a bag that is loose is a postive. He has actually ordered two so he can change them when the weather is very hot and he sweats a lot.

Makes you wonder if there are any other "inventions" that would makes ostomy life better. If someone would come up with a device to help clean out the closure after emptying the pouch so I don't use half a roll of TP, they would be a millionare!
How about designer color flanges so we can wear our ostomies outside our clothes?
David
Go Colts

David, Check this http://www.cmostomysupply.com/index.html

BTW, i've just received the Phoniex Belt today

How can we wash it ? put in the washing machine or manual by hand?

the Belt well make pressure on the bag, does this increase the abilty of the flange leak , specially the bag well be on it's side??!!!

Love that ostomy cup.I bet they sell the plastic cup with handles for around 15.00

I wash the belt in the washing machine.
I have not had any leaks from my flange.
I also seem to hold more and empty less with the belt because the weight of the poo doesn't pull on my flange and make me want to empty right away
David

My husband has two Phoenix belts so we can wash one while he wears the other. We put it in the washing machine without problems. He has not had any problems with it putting pressure on the bag but then he ordered a belt a little larger so it wasn't tight.

Indy_Dave,

How about you and I go into business and make NFL Logo Ostomy bags. You can wear a Colts one I'll snap on an Eagles one!

I would be very appropriate for me, the Eagles fill me up with secured excitement every year but it's just a bag of crap I end up with...

Hey Bill,
After last sunday you can prob. get that belt dirt cheap!

quote:

6M$S

Did you see that plastic cup somebody is going to sell? It is for catching poop while in the shower I think. It looks like it can hold about 1 or 2 squirts at best
I have had my little friend for only 2 months but I think people would be into cool ostomy stuff...like the logo stuff you were talking about. Maybe if there is a patriot or cowboy logo at the BOTTOM of the cup where the poop ends up? I would love to send my stoma stuff onto some of my hated foes logos
Maybe T-shirts with cool poop/ostomy sayings...this site has come up with great
T-shirt material! Ostomy people Unite!!!!
Only 56 days until Take Down - might miss my little friend.
David
Go Colts