1. When would a g-tube suit be beneficial?
A G-Tube protective suit is useful for anyone immediately post-surgery as it promotes healing by keeping site protected and by preventing avoidable agitation and/or pulling of the tube. It is especially important if the wearer has cognitive difficulty in understanding why the tube is in place or is resisting it remaining in place.
2. What styles of g-tubes work with the g-tube suit?
This suit works with all different g-tube systems. The specialty panel is designed to allow the site to breath and for the site to be easily accessed for post-surgery care.
3. Belt or G-Tube protective Suit: Specialty belts designed for G-Tube protection are available.
What is better for protection and ease of personal care a belt or a g-tube protective suit? If the wearer is going to be mainly in a seated position the g-tube body suit offers superior protection and comfort over a band style protective system. If the individual with the stoma site has full range of motion and is ambulatory then a g-tube protective belt may be desirable. If incontinence products are used and a care professional assists with personal care then the g-tube suit offers excellent access for both personal care of the site and for toileting routines.
4. Who benefits from the suit versus the belt?
Wheelchair users will benefit from the body suit style of stoma site protection. The suit prevents pulling for anyone with cognitive challenges and or those g-tube users that are resistant to leaving the tube in place. The belt system would be beneficial to someone who is ambulatory and who initiates care of tube placement.
5. How does the g-tube suit prevent pulling of the tube?
The suit offers comfortable coverage of the stoma site and the exit from the panel side allows the tube to be run out the side and back towards the feeding pump. When the tube is not in use it can be rolled and placed in the side envelope pocket. The boy short bottoms are comfortable and keep the suit pulled neatly into place. The panel is quickly and easily accessed for medication administration, site maintenance or flushes reducing time site or tube is accessible to the wearer. The snappy groin area allows for personal care while leaving the stoma site covered.
6. Why a g-tube protective suit instead of a regular body suit?
The torso length of a regular body suit is designed to be worn in an upright position and can be uncomfortable in a seated position. The majority of body suits are a brief or high cut leg making them uncomfortable when seated for any length of time (especially if the body suit is too short through the torso). Also, a brief or high cut leg style does not function or fit well when used with incontinence products. The G-Tube protection suit is designed with extra length through the torso and has a full snap system at the groin. The boy leg style of this suit combined with the snap opening allows for a more comfortable fit (with or without incontinence wear products) and provides easy access during personal care routines.
7. How do I access the stoma site for medication administration, site cleaning or flushes?The access panel is designed to easily open giving access to the site. A zipper at the top of the panel opens and stoma site becomes easily accessible for maintenance, cleaning and/or medication administration. When task is completed simply zip the panel closed and ensure good placement of the tube running out the side opening or coil it at the side.
8. Is the Bodysuit covered from outside funding organizations and/or insurance?
Each person’s coverage is different. Talk to your personal health care liaison to explore funding options. If there is concern about the individual pulling the tube or being resistant to leaving it in place.
9. How do I apply for coverage?
Have the doctor or surgeon that recommended the surgery or who attends to the person regarding any g-tube/stoma site issues write a prescription for a medical assistive protective aid. Print off our application for funding information letter to take with you.
10. Does the G-Tube Protective Bodysuit work with incontinence protection products?
Yes the g-tube protective suit is designed specifically to work with incontinence products (eg.Depends, poise, etc). Room is designed in the hip and waist to be comfortable with incontinence protection products. The snap system at the groin allow the “Depends” to be checked and personal care attended to without having to undress the person.
11. Can the Bodysuit be laundered normally?
Yes the G-Tube body suit can be laundered normally. However, like any knit fabric durability increases if the garment is hung to dry. We understand high heat dryers are used in facilities and have designed the suit to be as durable as possible under these conditions.
12. What Colors are available?
At this time the G-Tube protective suit is only available in black. If a certain color is strongly preferred having a custom suit made is an option.
13. Can a catheter system be used with the g-tube suit?
Yes most catheter systems can be used with the G-Tube Suit. The snap opening at the groin is beneficial as the tube can be run out one of the openings.
14. Can a Colostomy/Ileostomy bag be used with the g-tube suit?
15. Is it comfortable to wear in a seated position for a wheelchair user?
The G-Tube was designed to fit while you sit and/or offers room for full range of motion. A male option is available to increase comfort for wearers that are male. Special design attention was put towards supporting proper placement of male genitalia in a seated position. This design wards off injury or damage to the scrotum. The boy style shorts on both male and female versions are more comfortable in a seated position as nothing is cutting into the crease at upper thigh. It also provides full coverage of incontinence products. Also there is no seam at center back so no added pressure points on the spinal cord. The tank style top allows for full range of motion through the shoulders and arms. The specialty panel over the stoma site area creates a garment that has no seams directly at the waistband area.
16. How do I know what size to wear?
Measure the body according to our measurement chart. Pay special attention to whatever measurement is at the largest part of the body (circumference). Compare measurements to the sizing chart and select based on the greatest circumference of the body. If still unsure contact us to discuss.
17. Does the fabric stain easily?
The fabric is very resistant to staining. All fibres selected for the suit were chosen for comfort, launder ability and durability. The fabric is also resistant to absorbing smells found in formulas and medication.
18. Where does the tube go when not in use?
There is a side envelope pocket that was designed for convenient placement of the tube when not in use. Simply coil access tube and place at side behind envelope feature.
19. How do I measure to know which size is best?
Follow our measurement chart. Pay special attention to the widest part of the body. The area of the body with the greatest circumference will determine which size is most beneficial for the wearer.
20. The person using the suit is between a child’s large size and an adult’s small. What size suit should be ordered?
If the person is still growing then go with the larger size. If the body is disproportionate and there are special concerns with fit call a representative to discuss.
21. How does the suit go on the body?
The body suit goes on over the head and is pulled down into place. The snap system is then closed at the inseam. For suit removal the snaps are undone and garment is removed over the head. For personal care the snaps are undone and care provided. The suit is then repositioned so the snaps can be closed.
22. Can I customize a g-tube body Suit?
Custom G-Tube suits can be made. If regular measurements will not suit the end user contact us to discuss what options are available. The time required to create a custom suit will vary with the complexity of the design and time of year it is ordered. A series of measurements will be needed prior to starting the project.
23. What is the purpose of a G-tube suit?
The purpose of the G-Tube suit is to protect the stoma site from injury and/or agitation. It offers the wearer comfortable protection and offers care providers easier access for site maintenance and toileting routines. Prevents pulling of the tube and subsequent nursing attention or hospital visits.
24. Why hasn’t this been used before?
The amount of people using G-Tube systems has increased. The number of complications from unnecessary pulling of the tube has become more evident and more costly to our medical system. Other products such as protective belly bands or modified body suits have been used and encouraged a design that offers superior comfort and function.
25. What lead the design to be created?
The designer was employed providing night care for individuals using G-tube systems. Frequently persons in care would pull out their tube. This resulted with on site nursing being called or a subsequent hospital visit to re-insert the tube. Later when the designer would visit facilities to measure clients for adaptive clothing stoma sites would be noticed that were red and inflamed through pulling at the tube or waistbands of pants irritating the site. Some of the persons in care had been provided a belly protective band but as the band became worn or after several launderings, the band would roll up or down depending on the size and shape of the wearer and the fit of the band. Additionally, protective belts use Hook and loop tape (ie: “Velcro”) as a closure. This Hook and loop tape can catch and damage clothing and/or covering of wheelchair seating ystem. Also the edge of Velcro can become uncomfortable with prolonged wearing and is not compatible
with facility laundering.
26. What are costs?
Check the online store for g tube suit pricing.
27. How many do I need?
Three is the ideal number as it allows one to be in laundry, one to be worn and one as a backup if needed Start with one, confirm fit and function and then order subsequent suits.
28. Are there other products like this available?
Onesies are available for children sized up to three years of age. Protective Belts or belly bands are available and are beneficial to certain people. The G-Tube protection suit is unique because of its easy access specialty panel located over the stoma site and stomach area and its snap system for easy personal care. Unique in its multiple sizing options and boy short style bottoms. Streamlined design offers comfort while pattern is designed to “fit while you sit” Unique in its pattern for males Snap system at inseam provides unmatched ease for personal care.
29. What is the product made of?
The main fabric is a Knit Fabric called "Chitosante". This fabric features Antibacterial and Wicking properties (draws moisture away from the body). It is “the only antibacterial bio-agent in the world at this time certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Certified)”. Chitosan is made from crab/and/shrimp shells and contains natural and durable anti-bacterial properties. It is odour resistant, absorbent, breathable, fast drying, soft, static free and easy to launder. The specialty panel is made from a power mesh 4way stretch fabric with medium compression The fabric is breathable and resistant to bacteria growth.
30. What are the benefits of this fabric
All materials used were selected for comfort, launder ability and durability. The fabric is breathable and resistant to bacteria growth.
31. What is Chitosante?
“Chitosante” is a Knit Fabric featuring antibacterial (strongly resists growth of bacteria) and Wicking properties (draws moisture away from the body). It is “the only antibacterial bio-agent in the world at this time certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Certified)”. Chitosan is made from crab/and/shrimp shells and contains natural and durable anti-bacterial properties. It is odour resistant, absorbent, breathable, fast drying, soft, static free and easy to launder.
32. Is this fabric hypoallergenic, antibacterial?
Yes this fabric was selected because of the function,
33. How long will this suit last me?
How long the suit will last is dependent on how it is laundered (facility high heat dryers versus being hung to dry. Frequency of laundering significantly effects how long the suit will last. Use of Silver Nitrate to remove protruding flesh can increase wear of suit if silver nitrate is left on fibres. Fabric used on the specialty panel was selected for its weight and ability to withstand use and care products. However, many medical creams/ointments and dressings can increase the wear on fibres. Amount and type of repetitive movement. If the person scoots on the floor or constantly is in motion the suit will wear quicker that someone who does not move.
34. What if I need a custom suit?
If measurements or behavior determines a standard suit will not work, contact a representative for a personalized consult.
35. What materials are available for a custom suit?
A G-Tube body suit can be created from cotton knit or another four way stretch fabric. A cotton custom suit would be recommended if wearer has skin breakdown on other parts of the body or has sensitivity to man-made fibres.
36. How much will a custom suit cost?
The final cost of a custom suit will depend on the complexity of the design, fabric used and overall time to construct the garment. The time required to construct a custom G-Tube protective suit will vary depending on the complexity of the overall design, the time required to construct the garment, and the time of the year the custom suit is ordered. Call a representative to acquire the details of your specific order.
37. I want sleeves on my suit, is this possible?
We are working on a capped sleeve design. This may be recommended if the end wearer continually tries to disrobe wearing the normal tank design.
38. I have skin breakdown on my backside. Will the suit further the skin breakdown?
The G-Tube suit has been designed not to have a center seam down the spinal column area. If wearer has skin breakdown at Coccyx area or on the buttocks a cotton based custom suit may be recommended.
39. Can I put on this suit by myself?
It is possible to dress and undress oneself with this suit. Fine motor skills of the hands is required to close and open the snaps at inseam. The suit does function to protect stoma site and tube from other clothing and or from inadvertently being pulled during activity or sleeping.
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