belly bag vs leg bag

[infinity]

hey, i was just wondering if anyone here has used a belly bag. Pros? Cons? I'd love to hear your experiences. I use a leg bag, but i'd lovee to get a few belly bags so i can wera shorts or a skirt from time to time. i'm very self conscious of my leg bag =\

[Tweetybird]

I use a belly bag and LOVE the thing. You forget you even have a foley, they are so comfortable. You can wear shorts and no one would know, and the position of the drain is in the anatomicly correct position so a male when draing feels normal, and its great for a female, as now a female has the conveince of a male. There are no extension tubes to get tangled, pulled on, so there is a much less of a chance of accidently dislodging your foley. It holds up to 1000 cc's so its like a large leg bag in that respect.

The visiting nurse loves it during catheter changes as she says its less stuff flopping around when she hooks things up.

I am very active outdoors, so it gives you much more security when you are out places. The only problem is you need to wear loose pants or skirts to allow for the filling of the bag.

Some people do wear theirs overnight, but I produce so much urine I would be up and down all night, so at noght I switch to 4000cc night bag at night.

One fyi that I would let you all now, its for foleys and suprapubics, so you folks with a condom cath won't be able to use it. It works on the idea of internal bladder pressure causing the urine to drain into the bag....sorry condom cath users. But for everyone else, its great!!! I don't even use legbags any more.

[paramoto]

I agree 100%.

Originally Posted by Tweetybird

I use a belly bag and LOVE the thing. You forget you even have a foley, they are so comfortable. You can wear shorts and no one would know, and the position of the drain is in the anatomicly correct position so a male when draing feels normal, and its great for a female, as now a female has the conveince of a male. There are no extension tubes to get tangled, pulled on, so there is a much less of a chance of accidently dislodging your foley. It holds up to 1000 cc's so its like a large leg bag in that respect.

The visiting nurse loves it during catheter changes as she says its less stuff flopping around when she hooks things up.

I am very active outdoors, so it gives you much more security when you are out places. The only problem is you need to wear loose pants or skirts to allow for the filling of the bag.

Some people do wear theirs overnight, but I produce so much urine I would be up and down all night, so at noght I switch to 4000cc night bag at night.

One fyi that I would let you all now, its for foleys and suprapubics, so you folks with a condom cath won't be able to use it. It works on the idea of internal bladder pressure causing the urine to drain into the bag....sorry condom cath users. But for everyone else, its great!!! I don't even use legbags any more.

[cybs]

Interesting - but how about leaks from, say, bad welding - as happens with legbags and bedbags sometimes. Seems to me like a wet sock & shoe & lower trouser leg are more "bearable" than what I imagine from this....
Then of course you may find out faster, hopefully meaning less ruined floors. Hm...

Can you still wear a seat belt (hip belt, y-shape)? And what about having someone sit on your lap - or, jump on it, at kids tend to do? And what about the quad belly plus belly bag - is there room for both, I wonder? Oh, and - anyone clamping their catheter and using a belly bag?

Inquiring minds want to know - thanks! :-)

[Tweetybird]

Here are some of the answers to some of your qquestions.

As far as leaks, I have not had any bad welds so far, but, when you first put the bag on, DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE THE VALVE! It comes in the package with the valve open, so be sure to close it when you hook up, and be sure its close completely. I learned the hard way. Otherwise, I've had no problems.

The kidos can ride in your lap without a problem, I've done it. Its on your belly not your lap. Just be sure when you lift the little one onto your lap that there is no little loop of catheter to get tugged on. So, your small children can joyride with you in the chair.

Sorry, if you have a little pot, you are adding a little to it, it is on your belly, bur loose clothing can make it less noticeable. If you check out the styles of cloths, you can find something nice. So, quad bellies are coped with (other than your binders) like other potbellies......but its better than peeing down your leg in a long tube.

The only area of caution is the seatbelt, when you hook the belt up, be sure to make sure the catheter tube is not tight or pulling on your bladder. Be sure that the belt is very low and not accross the bag itself. Anyone, bellybag or not should have the lapbelt tucked as low, under your pot, as possable. Otherwise, in an accident, you could rupture your spleen. This is easy, as the bag is fastened with a belt around your waist, like a fanny pack....again be sure your catheter is not pulled tight, as it will be yanked on by the belt if the driver or you stop suddenly.

[paramoto]

I also learned about the open valve the hard way. I wear it from my bellybutton down, most of it under the belt line of my pants.

[cybs]

Tweetybird - thanks, and I think you're right about the belt - it should be low, and I hope it is, well - low enough... The quad belly - I'm really hoping to hear from other quads - BF is 22 years past injury - in his case, not much room between belly and thighs... Right now he has cath burn marks on both thighs. I'm really exited about the idea of trying something else - just for a change, parttime...