I've started my new job, and I'm finding that the ambient office noise masks most of my sounds, but yesterday morning a pancake surprise (not the good kind!) led to an unfortunate odor that I was self-conscious of for the rest of the day. I felt I needed to stand outside of cubicles while talking with coworkers, not sit next to anyone in meetings, etc.
Can anyone recommend a good bag cover pro ...

Get your fiber! Ya ya whatever... yes, this was my bad (as in attitude). I believe this affliction (bad attitude) happened to me after having surgeries and extended hospital stays. One for a drainage tube, one for an ileostomy, a heart attack, followed by stent placement. Each stay resulted in talking heads directing me to get many prescriptions filled... one word for all these meds and dire ...

Hi all,
For those of you that use convex pouches and have a flat stoma, do you use a barrier ring? I've used them for years but am wondering if it makes things worse if you have a flat stoma. The rings are flat CeraRings by Hollister. I do rinse with each empty, and I tend to empty quite often due to the pancaking making things feel yucky around the stoma area.

Today is my 10-year ostomy anniversary. I have long avoided serious consideration of reversal surgery because it's difficult to imagine my quality of life being more comfortable than it is today with a bag. I am left with a rectal stump to deal with, however, and it feels overdue for a decision. I don't presently have any issues but it has atrophied and narrowed last I had it examined 2 years ...

Hello everyone! I just joined this group and am happy to be here. My ostomy journey started in March of 2022 when dx with stage 3 rectal cancer. I had an ileostomy at that time which was very challenging for the first several months! Convex wafers were the game changer for me! After 1 1/2 years of trying to have a reversal several times, I was able to have it done in Aug. of 2023. I then had a ...

Hey y'all,
I'm 3 weeks post-op from a loop ileostomy and doing pretty well with the current system (Hollister 2-piece with a barrier ring, all changed every 4-5 days).
However, I think I was cutting my flange a tiny bit too big because I was getting quite a bit of itching and burning. I changed my appliance today and there was a little redness but nothing raw or too painful. I decided to cut t ...

It was hard for me to bring this up worrying about people being judgemental but it's a much needed topic for ostomates in this position and I will never see anyone here outside the forum anyhow.

Found out I had Hep c in the mid 90's and suspect I got it from my ex husband who actually had a liver transplant.

Anyhow I was always afraid of the horror stories of how rough the meds were to ...

Hi, just a quick question. Since my ostomy (20 months ago) I have travelled from the UK to Germany and Spain but have only stayed in family houses. It looks as if I'll have the chance to go to Egypt in the new year. I know what to take etc but was wondering if anyone in the forum has been to Egypt recently? I'm worried about the disposal of my pouches. I use 2 a day. I'll be staying in hotels ...

We often hear or read stuff about people’s appearance while wearing an ostomy appliance. We certainly emphasize physical beauty today and, to some, being an ostomate eliminates dating possibilities and, sometimes, professional advancement. Sometimes we get comforting suggestions from caring folks telling us things like “Nobody can see it”, “it doesn’t change who you are”, “Nobody ...

I've been studying "senses" through various fields/subjects; linguistic, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy so far. I've done these studies and researches objectively.

But now, I myself have fully used all my senses since being an ostomate: watching my stoma, hearing its sounds, smell from my stoma bag, caring for food, feeling skin around stoma under a stoma bag, etc... Added, I go for ...

I've had an ileostomy for 45 years. I have been through many situations and here are a few things that have helped me along the journey.
If someone asks or thinks you have a disability, tell them you have an ability. You can do everything anyone else can and sometimes even better. Don't hide the fact that you have an ostomy. I had emergency surgery when I was just 20 years old. My doctor told ...

Hi All
I've had quite a week! I went for a checkup on Monday with my consultant, and after some scans and tests, he sent me for a colonoscopy yesterday. The result was really good, and now my reversal is set for next Monday.
I'm both excited and nervous. I wasn't expecting it to be so early, as I'll be just 10 weeks post-op.
What I'd like to know is if anyone has had a reversal this early and ...

Always do this for myself.
Especially since some people change frequently and assume "oh a day ago." I replaced it.
A Sharpie, magic marker with the date and time helps me.
And don't write so others can read it. To them, it's upside down. Write on the bag before installing it so you can read it...if someone asks about it? Make light of it...tell them the little guy is taking notes or writing a ...

CUI Wear
As we have a few new members, this may be of help. For ostomies, the underwear has pouches to support our bags. You can choose left, right, or twin. The best bit for us in the UK is that we can get them on prescription from the NHS.
Hope the info helps. I think they ship internationally as well.
https://cuiwear.com/

Hello. I am nearly 2 years out from colostomy surgery due to cancer. I have come across information about using an enema-like irrigation process to train your bowel to release output at a desired time of day—once a day, or for some, every other day. I also came across a discussion using Dulcolax suppositories or tablets instead of the irrigation, however, I can't find which rabbit hole I wen ...

Greetings Ostomates!
So… I'm new(ish) here, joined a while back but have never posted. Got my ileostomy May of last year after decades of Crohn's & two bouts of colon cancer. Happy to report I'm doing well and still here! I think I've adjusted pretty well to the new routine. It took a few months of testing products to land on a good appliance that lasts a solid 7+ days before swapping out, b ...

Ho ho ho! What do you know?
Last month, severe weeping and blood around the stoma. The appliance would not stick at all. A good majority of members offered advice and offered me products they had on hand to send me. How cool is that, huh
So kind, strangers reaching out. I don't think of them as strangers. Maybe extended family is a better fit.
I had opened the thread topic in November, similar ...

I asked which stoma bag is good, and also posted an academic article about stoma bags.
Since then, I myself have tried several stoma bags from different bag makers. Then I realized each one has its own preferences, problems, etc. So, even if advice from others is really helpful to consider stoma bags, the final decision must be made by myself.
To be honest, I haven't made up my mind yet about ...

I have shopped wraps
Specifically made for ostomates and could never justify spending 50 to 70$ CAD for such ugly and ungainly products.
I tried maternity shirt extenders. No go for me. I am 5'8" and 120 lbs and no matter what size I got they were just too tight. I tried bandeau bras but they were too narrow...
I am here with a new solution!!
Tube tops!! 'Tis the season and they're everywh ...

Does anyone wear their ostomy outside their clothing with a cover or inside their clothing? I wear mine inside my clothing. Just wondering what works for people.