WHEN YOU HAVE AN OSTOMY, your focus is different than people with regular plumbing. I rarely end a meal without immediately heading for the bathroom. When we eat out, which is usually once a week, I typically will visit the men’s room before we leave the restaurant. Like other ostomates, I have the toilet homing ability of an incontinent rock dove. Despite my negative feelings for public bathrooms, I have no more control over peristalsis than Hoyt Wilhelm had over his knuckleball. When I go to the dentist for a cleaning, I always ask them to keep me as elevated as possible. “Oh, a bad back, huh?” they say. I don’t bother to mention my ostomy flow need for gravitational confederacy. Whenever I go out for a good walk, I wear the special underwear that has an inner sleeve to support the ostomy bag. Depending upon the time of day or when I last had a meal, it could play an important role in keeping me secure till I get back home. For this reason, I usually walk in the early morning prior to eating breakfast to minimize the prospect of filling up as I wander the neighborhood. Nothing like a belly bulge to slow the speed of even the most determined walker. Walker erectus can swiftly deteriorate into shuffler bagfillius.
Why Join MeetAnOstoMate?
First off, this is a pretty cool site with 33,888 members. Get inside and you will see.
It's not all about ostomy. Everything is being discussed.
Many come here for advice or to give advice 🗣, others have found good friends 🤗, and there are also those who have found love 💓. Most of all, people are honest and truly care.
Privacy is very important - the website has many features that are only visible to members.
Create an account and you will be amazed.
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We conducted a survey to better understand the impact that living with an ostomy has on sleep.
Learn the results of our ostomy sleep survey.
Learn the results of our ostomy sleep survey.