After having a surgery like an ostomy, it can really strip away your self-confidence. Not just physically, although that can really be a gut punch (literally), but it can also leave you mentally drained and anxious. You’ll begin to wonder if you’ll ever be able to go back to the things that you loved to do. And if you’re like me, I love being able to go and be outdoors and really get face to face with nature, especially in the form of hunting. But when you have a hole in your abdomen and a pouch hanging from it that can really take the joy out of things. Not to mention make it difficult to climb a tree or track down the deer you just got the perfect shot on. And to be honest, that was a major concern for me. Not just because of my love of being outdoors and being able to hunt. But because I have such strict dietary restrictions that my only choice for meat was to look to wild venison. And to wonder if that option had now been taken from me because of a surgery, well, it was a little much to take. Thankfully though, with some research, a few talks with my doctor, and finding the right gear, I’ve been able to come back into the hunting world swinging…well technically shooting.
It may take some time, but hunting, or really any other outdoor hobby, doesn’t have to be a distant memory. Rather, it can be a very present fun and enjoyable activity. Like I said, you just need to know a few things before you jump back on the horse.
The first thing important to know is that you want to be able to properly secure your pouch. Mostly just to make sure it stays in place and you don’t have to worry about it moving around on you or causing problems while trying to climb or move quickly through the brush. The best way to do this is by securing it with an ostomy pouch belt or even using athletic tape to hold it in place. Either works great, it just really depends on personal preference and budget.
Once you have your pouch locked in, you need to focus your attention on apparel. This is where the hunting world shines. Not only are their dozens of options to choose from, but they’re the best kind of options. And while the look of hunting clothes doesn’t’ change all that much, you have at your fingertips dri-fit options that will not only help whisk away sweat and moisture, but also your smell. Hunting clothes, at the least the good ones, are designed to help mask your odors. Which is great because sometimes the pouches have a tendency to be a little smelly.
That brings up the last thing you really need to think about, other than having the best time ever, and that’s you need to do what you can to help mask odors. The clothes will help, but there are few other things you can implement that will make sure the job gets done right. Those options are pouch deodorizers, filters, a diet that avoids things that are gassy, odor eliminating sprays, and most importantly making sure you have a pouch that is good quality and fits correctly. This will ensure you won’t have any leaks.
All-in-all if you follow these tips, you too can get back to doing what you love with nothing stopping you. Happy hunting!
