SASH STOMA SUPPORT AND HERNIA BELT AS FEATURED IN THE "SPECTRUM" "Thanks to the helpline" I wish to thank your helpline for the good advice given to me. I was recently diagnosed as having a hernia around my ileostomy stoma and the local stoma nurse sent the representative of a company, who shall be nameless to measure me for a suitable belt. It took over a week for the person to actually see me and a further 10 days before I received my belt. The belt consisted of a 5 inch (13cm) wide elasticated strap which joined together with Velcro. The section through which the pouch passed was made of plain strong non elasticated cotton. I found that because it was elasticated all around my person it made me itch, worse still on sitting down the whole belt folded with my body and the material around my stoma also folded putting pressure on the top and underneath of my stoma. I decided that this belt was totally unsuitable for me and I rang your helpline. A very helpful lady listened to my request and suggested that I contact a gentleman by the name of Dennis Hammond of a company called Sash. I did so and was promised details which I received the next day. I obtained a prescription and sent for a Sash belt. The belt arrived by return post, I tried it on and it was perfect. Although when I first saw it I was doubtful because the section around the actual stoma was made of some sort of stiff plastic. I have worn this appliance daily with absolutely no discomfort and feel totally supported. I have since learned that Mr Hammond has a stoma and designed this belt from first hand knowledge of the needs of a stoma hernia. So thanks to your helpline I have found my ideal............. DAVID ADAMS, Walkern AS FEATURED IN THE "UROSTOMY ASSOCIATION" JOURNAL "Aches and Pains" I obtained a SASH belt to use and it has cleared the pain and discomfort around my stoma and hernia. I walked about in agony and was bent double with pain and was unable to do much work of any kind, however, since using the SASH belt the pain has disappeared. I am now able to do all types of work, even digging the garden and, once again, I am able to walk upright. If anyone has problems such as these please try the belt. They are available on prescription. Thank you for all your past help, especially when I contacted the UA 14 years ago. I am only 87 now!! ...............MR F HARDY. Yorkshire. AS FEATURED IN THE “ILEOSTOMY ASSOCIATION” JOURNAL "Having problems with a retracting stoma”? I am an ileostomist whose first laparotomy was in 1995. For some reason unknown to my surgeon within a few weeks of my op. my stoma completely retracted overnight. To avoid further major surgery, he attempted to coax the stoma out and held it in place with a circle of stitches. Unfortunately, over a period of three years I underwent six laparotomies, all ending with the stomas retracting. By this time I had lost three stones in weight, dreaded going to bed every night for fear of what I would waken to the next morning. Bed linen and clothes were ruined through continual leakage and I lost all confidence, never leaving the house for fear of what might happen. I was finally referred to Mr Lavelle-Jones, consultant in colorectal surgery, who said he would have to resite and refashion the badly damaged stoma, which was successfully carried out immediately. However, as a precautionary measure, I was advised to use a convex flange, held in place with a narrow elastic belt. As weeks went by, the stoma very slowly began to retract. I was at my wits end until the day I was reading the latest IA Journal in which I came across an advertisement for the Stoma Support and Hernia Belt (SASH) which has been designed by Dennis Hammond who is himself an ostomist and, therefore, has experienced psychologically and physically all the problems we all face. Knowing this, I immediately phoned him on Freephone 0800 389 3111, explained that I did not have a hernia, but did he think he could help me with my problem. The next morning I received his order form, which requires you to give a few details, send a pouch or 2-piece if used and a prescription from my GP as SASH is available on the NHS. I sent the aforementioned on Thursday, the belt was made on Friday and the finished article was received by me Saturday. Due to my weight loss, the firm support part of the belt was to large. I phoned Mr Hammond that day and he said to draw on the support roughly what I wanted. Within three days, the altered belt was back in my possession. It looked good and felt comfortable, but would it solve my problems? All that was two years ago and I have not looked back since then. I regained weight, have experienced no leakage whatsoever in all the two years and have now got back not only my confidence, but my life!. My stoma has also returned to its original post- op size! I would therefore strongly advise ostomists with retracting stomas to give Mr Hammond’s belt a try and I do not think they will be disappointed. MARGARET KELLY, Angus Telephone / Fax: 0044 (0) 1702 206502 Freephone: 0800 389 3111 (UK only) Email address: info@sashstomabelts.com SASH Woodhouse Woodside Road Hockley Essex, SS5 4RU England