Skirts, Dresses, Leg Bags, Oh My!

[Helen Huddle]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and a new injury. I didn't see any specific place to introduce myself, so I'm just off and running; I hope that's not considered rude.

At any rate, being fresh out of rehab I've got tons of questions, but the one that I'm interested in right now is how in the world can I wear a cute skirt or dress and still make use of a leg bag. I wore sweat pants while in rehab, so the issue never came up and I certainly don't want a leg bag hanging out of the bottom of my skirt.

I use a foley cathetor since I tend to leak if I don't, so I have to have a bag somewhere. HELP!!!!!!:hissyfit:

[pitterpaws]

Welcome! I'm pretty new to these forums myself.

I personally have not worn a dress since my accident. Legs don't exactly have that attractive toned look they once did, so I will wear dress slacks when I do dress up since there are plenty of cute tops and stuff out there :)

How often are you cathing? The only viable alternatives I can think of when you want to wear a dress or skirt, but not a bag of course, would be limit your fluids so your body doesn't need to eliminate a lot, possibly cath a little more often (like every 2-3 hours instead of 4-6.. I usually go about every 5 hours and I'm ok without leaking). Poise(incontinence) type pads to protect from leaks. Don't know if you are complete, incomplete at your injury level, how much feeling you have etc., but if you go the incontinence pad route to protect from leaks, if you don't have feeling, be sure to check yourself often so you are not developing sores.

[SCI-Nurse]

You can wear a leg bag on your thigh instead of your calf, although it will not drain as well. If you are wanting to wear very short skirts (well above the knee) this may not work, but you can wear a sports bag (designed to be worn with shorts) fairly easily there. Some people hide a regular drainage bag in a cloth bag under their chair and position the tubing so that it is less evident, but many find this unacceptable.

(KLD)

[jody]

.....

[Helen Huddle]

Thank you for all of the advice. I think that I'll give the sports bag a try, but I'm not exactly sure what one is. Does anyone have a link so that I can see exactly what you're talking about?

I had given some thought to a pad, but even cathatorizing every 2-3 hours and limiting what I drink I still void pretty heavily; if it goes in it comes out, and my throat is dry long before it stops. In rehab they were really nuts about us keeping everything dry, most especially in regards to fecal matter and urine, so the idea of a pad concerns me, and constantly changing one would drive me nuts.

Like yourself I don't have the legs anymore for skirts or dresses, not really, but I really do like them and want to keep wearing them.

Thanks again for all of the advice.

[sjean423]

Just google, you will find plenty. Here is one.

http://www.allegromedical.com/urologicals-catheters-c539/leg-bag-sport-rgt-16oz-p548225.html?engine=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&CS_003=9164468&CS_010=ff80808111238d9d01112419cf303268

[rebajane]

For what it's worth-- I use a bard 19 oz leg bag that sets high on the thigh. Right at the crease of leg to abdomen. Just underneath the pants waistband. The urine does have to travel uphill, but seems to do so with no problem. Easy to empty too.

[ChinaDoll]

i wear skirts, dresses, shorts lot. i made myself pouches that I can hang under my chair or strap it around my waist out of soaker pads... I had made one to match all my outfits... if you look at my wedding pictures in my profile, I've got a red one and green to match my dresses.

[cass]

all i've worn for yrs and yrs are skirts/dresses with boots. i use a urocare short & wide legbag strapped to my outer thigh. it actually makes things a lot easier and there's no drainage issues. i don't like the sportsbag as it's too small.

http://urocare.com/products/UrocareLatexUrinaryLegBags.php

mine is number 8026. with fabric straps.

[addiesue]

I don't wear a leg bag. I just wanted to say Hi and welcome. I'm not far from your location!

[Helen Huddle]

Thank you all for the advice. Now I have some experimenting to do and a place to start. I just knew that I didn't want to give up my skirts and dresses, even with my tiny legs, but it wasn't something that was addressed in rehab and no one that I asked seemed to have the answers that I was looking for.

And Addiesue, thank you for the greeting.

[Still Learning]

Hi Helen,
Just wanted to add my welcome, I'm kinda new here too. :) I'm in TN too.

:welcome:

[brucec]

.....

yep jody, thats the one I wear when i wear my dresses :tease:

[addiesue]

I didn't realize there were so many women in TN besides me. Maybe we should talk sometime.

[Aliya]

Hi Helen, I also am really close to you in location. Like addiesue I didn't realize there were so many women in TN especially middle TN.

[Helen Huddle]

It sounds almost like TN is handicapped central! Either that or we're all living too dangerously. LOL:tease:

[vjls]

question on the leg bags i am a quad c6c7 its all i can do to open the bag i use a bed bag 2000 just because i can open the leg bag without getting all wet. i hate it but.....
how do you other quads do it

[sjean423]

vjls, I think that has come up before by the way, you might try the search.

I am a para, so not much help, but I have used several different leg bags, and run into many different types of valves. Some are tricky even with full function. You might want to try different brands?

[cass]

question on the leg bags i am a quad c6c7 its all i can do to open the bag i use a bed bag 2000 just because i can open the leg bag without getting all wet. i hate it but.....
how do you other quads do it

get a quad clamp.

http://urocare.com/products/QuickDrainValve.php

remove the screw drain valve on bottom of leg bag, replace with the above. all you need do is flip the lever, no fingers needed. note: only compatible with the urocare latex leg bags i referenced in earlier post.

[SCI-Nurse]

Many of my clients who have a C6-7 injury can empty any of the Flip-Flo type leg bags that Bard makes. This is pretty easy using the side of your hand to open or close. Check them out.

You may need to add a longer extension tube at the bottom to make it easier to read a urinal or toilet for draining, and if you don't have sufficient hip ROM it can be much more difficult. For those who use power chairs, you can get a powered leg bag emptier (and water the roses or flush the gutter when in public!).

(KLD)

[Tweetybird]

Rusch has designed a bag that is worn on the waist like a fanny pack. It connects directly to the bag so there are no extension tubes to kink. It drains from a valve that is anotomicly correctly positioned like a male, so all you have to do is roll up to the toilet, lift the seat and drain. There is no concern about dropping your leg into the toilet when draining it as is the case with legbags. It hides nicely under your cloths so no one knows. Just be sure to close the valve when you put a new bad on...the manufacturer doesn't package it with the valve closed.....and ooops...where is that wet stuff comming from...oops, its an open valve!

As one person said....belly bag, belly bag, belly bag, ...

Good luck and enjoy all your cute little dresses!

[leahcaprice]

When I go on holiday I use an indwelling for ease, I tuck the bag under my chair as there is a little pocket underneath that has velcro. Works a treat x