Meet An OstoMate | MeetAnOstoMate

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About MeetAnOstoMate

Since our establishment in 2006, MeetAnOstoMate has blossomed from a humble platform into a vibrant multi-topic community. Founded on the principle that shared experiences breed understanding, our platform is dedicated to offering a space for members to openly discuss their challenges, share insights, and seek advice. As much as we are a platform for knowledge, we're also a meeting ground for friendships, love, and unwavering support.

Desilu

Suggestions for Medical Adhesives for Flanges?

Mar 13, 2024 - Aug 19, 2024

Someone suggested Adapt 7730, apparently hard to find, but I am doing a search. Any other ideas (this is for a flange)? I sometimes waste a brand new flange after a doctor or hospital appointment. Thank you all!

6 replies | 498 views

Mar 20, 2024

I've used "Skin Tac" and it does make your skin tacky. I keep a bottle around.
https://torbot.com/product/skin-tac-adhesive-barrier-liquid-4-oz/

Aug 19, 2024

Ten Aces Spray is carried by Medical Monks :)
It is the identical formulation as the discontinued 7730
https://medicalmonks.com/product/ten-aces-medical-adhesive-spray/

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eab3691

Adjusting to Life with a Colostomy Bag - Seeking Advice

Jun 29, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024

I had emergency surgery in May (bad diverticulitis) and now have a colostomy bag. I'm adjusting to it, but it's hard. My main issue is changing my bag out myself. My wife has been changing my bag (she used to work with patients in the healthcare field) because I get sick looking at my stoma. I get queasy and just sick looking at it.
Is there anything I can do to get over looking at it so I can ...

19 replies | 479 views

Jul 10, 2024

Y'all come back now, you hear. IGGIE

Aug 23, 2024

The first time the wound nurses wanted to show me how to empty mine, they showed up right before my husband and kids were going to visit me in the hospital. My kids hadn't seen me since the night ...

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terrizajdel

362 dayd on the Carnivore diet as an Ostomate

May 28, 2024 - Aug 20, 2024

Hi
Hi everyone, 362 days on carnivore and Im still doing great. Im consistently at 150 to 152 lbs and full of energy so the 44lb weight loss is effortless to maintain. I eat whatever meat products that are on sale and if it has a skin I peel it off 1st. I cannot afford ribeyes anymore except as a treat so I eat a lot of eggs, bacon and ground beef. I do have scarring around my ostom ...

24 replies | 1122 views

Aug 18, 2024

Hey cpwilson75

I hope all is well?! My output is great for me, as I prefer an easy empty output. I've become pretty wimpy regarding digestive pain so eat only meat, clean dairy and eggs so it s ...

Aug 20, 2024

G-Day Terri, I am also getting a more liquid outlet with Carnivore and I prefer it, i can empty and close up in 2 minutes. How you going are you still losing weight?? I'm living on Ribeye Steaks a ...

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Advertisement

Your Ostomy Pouching System And Wear Time

Hollister

Many factors can affect the frequency of your pouching system changes, including your stoma type.

Learn what impacts wear time and how you can extend it.

yorkservice

Using a Dixie Cup to Cover Stoma While Showering

Sep 02, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024

If you wear a 2-piece bag system, I discovered that I can remove the bag to shower and use a Dixie or Solo bathroom cup with some stoma paste (just a few dabs), and it fits perfectly onto my flange, covering my stoma. I use the Ostoform Flow Assist 2-piece system. Not even the towel knocked it off. No more wet bags.

25 replies | 329 views

Sep 07, 2024

I like it. Genius!

Sep 08, 2024

Must be... an echo in here... in here... in here... in...

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itchy22

Medical Marijuana - A Better Alternative for Ostomy Patients?

Aug 24, 2013 - Jul 30, 2024

I live in a place where I can obtain medical marijuana. I find it helps with anxiety, pain, and occasional insomnia. Before you put it down, it's far better than alcohol, especially if you are taking other meds. Any thoughts?

1

117 replies | 62742 views

Aug 27, 2021

As a child of the fifties and sixties, I've had a casual non-medical relationship with pot for many years. As a Canadian, it's now legal everywhere, and I grow a few plants in my yard. The world h ...

Jul 30, 2024

Yes, clean cannabis is the best medicine! I did stop using it lately only so I can pass a drug test for employment. The problem is my body is not clearing! I'm 5% fat, 60 kilos or 130 lbs, and it ...

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ClaraD

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before an Ileostomy Surgery

Aug 06, 2024 - Aug 12, 2024

Hi everyone,
I am meeting my surgeon to discuss my upcoming surgery. The surgery is a permanent ileostomy, total colectomy, and Hartman pouch to close the rectum.
On a previous post, some of you asked why the surgeon wants to keep the rectum in, and I should discuss it with him. (Do any of you have your rectum and are happy with it having stayed in?) Some of you also mentioned the need to disc ...

1

31 replies | 717 views

Aug 12, 2024

That's cute, Iggs. I like it. Thanks for clarifying. Not sure it was overkill sewing the cheeks. I think he felt that because I move around a lot, it was like his insurance policy. I had to see hi ...

Aug 12, 2024

Same here, but my padlock broke but it's starting to heal.

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Itsme58

An update

Jul 29, 2024

Hello my friends, that provide me with; support, prayers, and smiles.

I had my stoma revision and been going day by day to the road of recovery, and…I had indigestion, it was horrible, I started throwing up bile (YUCK), white, yellow, sheez green.

I called my home healthcare nurse, she called my surgeon, he called me; ms Seward please come to the ER at your convenience.

I went at 6pm, ...

10 replies | 228 views

Jul 29, 2024

Linda, I am so sorry to hear about your tribulations. I've never had the experience of throwing up bile, but I watched it happen to my mother. It's an awful experience. I am glad to hear you sough ...

Jul 29, 2024

Hey Hi and thanks for checking in…sounds like you’ve had a rough go of it lately-

Not to worry about the pity party. Think probably we’ve all had them…I find it to be a good release an ...

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Douglas john

Braun IryPump Discontinued - How to Convert to 12V Mains Power

Apr 21, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024

Hello
If you irrigate using the Braun IryPump, you will know that the appliance has been discontinued by Braun. There are no replacements due to faults, and they will no longer undertake any repairs. This leaves current users in a very difficult place. The pump has had a very poor track record of reliability, usually due to battery/charging issues. I've had four replacements over the years, al ...

3 replies | 478 views

Apr 22, 2024

Hello
The psi needs to be very low to successfully irrigate. The variable resistor allows control of the water flow. I've experimented with fish tank pumps, but they are difficult to regulate to t ...

Jul 24, 2024

Hello.
I do hope you don't mind me asking, a friend of mine has an irypump that has failed, and I am trying to get it fixed for him. I saw your post and wondered how you got yours fixed using a 12 ...

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Kimmy050263

Successful Ostomy Reversal - My Journey and Encouragement for Others

Jun 01, 2024 - Jul 23, 2024

Hello my Osteomates,
I wanted to update, after 5 months I had my reversal surgery on May 2nd. I had a few blips with some incision issues and the bowels starting to work, but overall it has been a success! I finally started to have regular bowel movements about 3 weeks after surgery. I am still taking Miralax daily on the advice of my doctor, hoping to eventually discontinue the Miralax. For n ...

14 replies | 605 views

Jul 23, 2024

I love hearing about successful reversals. I've heard so much negativity. I am due in October for a reversal, which will be 9 months post-op. I have some fears, but I have good chances of success ...

Jul 23, 2024

Hey osbergcr, I also had a successful reversal on Jan 30. Wishing you the best on your reversal journey!

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MC22

Colostomy/Urostomy

Feb 08, 2024 - Aug 28, 2024

This is a great site, and I really have had some great positive feedback. However, living with a colostomy is very different than living with a urostomy. I myself have a urostomy due to bladder cancer and I find most of the discussions on here are geared more towards colostomy...and that's fine. I just think that it would be more user friendly if the site could maybe separate the two issues ...

8 replies | 635 views

Feb 12, 2024

MC22, I had the same doubt at the beginning, but found that most issues are the same: flanges, skin irritation, water resistance, wear duration, etc...

I am an Urostomate anyway...so I see your ...

Aug 28, 2024

Hello I too have a urostomy and do feel anytime I search the general internet for urostomy I start with a small amount of info and then it turns to colonosotomy. Nature of the beast I guess. I am ...

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artingwithilly

Seeking Shorter Ostomy Bags with Tuckable Velcro Features

Jul 21, 2024 - Sep 16, 2024

Hello!
I got a loop ileostomy on July 2nd and was fitted with a Hollister 2-piece system with a drainable pouch. I'm actually doing really well with this system so far, but my biggest issue is how long the bag is.
I'm fairly medium-tall for a woman too, so it's not like I'm petite, but the Velcro area is down on my thigh/crotch area and it's making wearing anything but baggy pajama pants prett ...

1

31 replies | 611 views

Aug 27, 2024

I would try a sample of Coloplast - the opaque, not the translucent. The opaque has a Velcro you can tuck at the bottom or just under the observation flap.
Trying to decide if I should request a ...

Sep 16, 2024

I've read over and over comments like yours looking for a specific pouch size and having problems trying to figure something out on your own. I have a 23-24 Edgepark "Ostomy Supplies" catalog that ...

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Advertisement

Ostomy Accessories – When And How To Use Them

Hollister

In addition to your pouching system, you may require the use of an ostomy accessory to enhance the performance of your system.

Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.

Mermaid13

Looking for Recommendations on IRA Surgeons

Apr 07, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024

Hi all, I know IRA surgery isn't performed as much as J-pouch, but I still have 10 inches left of sigmoid colon and a current end ileostomy. Last week, I had scopes and was told everything looked great and if I wanted to pursue surgery I should. I saw Dr. Remzi in NYC last year and discussed a J-pouch, but he never mentioned an IRA which suggests to me that he preferred a J-pouch since that's ...

15 replies | 535 views

Apr 23, 2024

... even Clint Eastwood would wonder if an IRA would make his day. Great movie.
We will be anxiously waiting to hear your decision on yours.

Sep 11, 2024

Yeah, Warrior, my old brother from another mother?
The bigger question is?
Do you feel lucky, punk?
Did you end up having IRA or J Pouch or stay with the bag?
Did you survive?
I lost Greg & Jo re ...

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NancyCat

Best Paper Towels

Oct 07, 2023 - Sep 17, 2024

Everyone always talks about using wet paper towels, but, it has to be the "right" paper towel. My fellow ostomate, Pat, told me right in the beginning that the best paper towel to use with our ostomies is Viva! They are super soft so much better than the usual "rough' paper towels!

BTW--I celebrated my 6 year stoma-versary on 9/29! So yay me!

28 replies | 1134 views

Nov 21, 2023

Sep 17, 2024

Viva Signature Cloth....NOT the Viva Multi Surface Cloth. The Signature Cloth is lousy in the kitchen but perfect for washing around the stoma and then another sheet to dry up.

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Beachboy

Maximizing Wafer Wear Time with a Colostomy - Personal Experiments

Jul 25, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024

In an effort of discovery, I've been waiting longer and longer between wafer changes. How long can I go? I have a colostomy.
Last experiment was 10 days. Skin looked good. No leaks. Hair growth didn't cause a problem. And the wafer still felt comfortable. I wore various hernia support belts too. And rode my bike a total of 100 miles over 5 days. Also showered many times with the bag on, gettin ...

12 replies | 348 views

Jul 31, 2024

The most I have gone is 4 days. Because I have so much redness from the barrier ring, I may change to every 3. Not sure yet. Or go without the barrier ring, as I was doing okay without it. So Ston ...

Aug 31, 2024

Hello, I use NU-Hope Corporation belts. They are excellent quality and reasonably priced. I have 2, 3, & 4-inch wide belts.
I bought the 2-inch wide belts directly on the Nu-Hope website. The 3 & ...

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EllaG

Sensitive Skin Around Stoma with Hollister CeraRing Usage

Jul 29, 2024 - Aug 12, 2024

Hi there, this is my first official post. I have learned so much just from reading (and a few comments).
So, why am I posting now?
When I changed my appliance this evening (colostomy), I once again had super irritated skin directly around my stoma. It is the exact same imprint as the Hollister CeraRing I use. This has been going on ever since I started using them (about a month and a half ago) ...

17 replies | 346 views

Aug 09, 2024

You can also try applying the ring on top of the barrier plate around your stoma. By the way, I do find the Brava barrier rings work fine for this approach. The Cera rings broke down faster. (1) C ...

Aug 12, 2024

You could try calling all companies like Convatec, Coloplast, Safe and Simple, etc., to get samples to try and see if you get irritation. If you still get irritation, find out what adhesive is use ...

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Lilbet

Is a Diaper Genie-like Disposal Can Worth It for Colostomy Bags?

Oct 14, 2023 - Sep 18, 2024

Hello,
I've had my colostomy a little over a month, so I'm a newbie. I am very concerned about odor. I was looking today at garbage cans that are like a diaper genie, but use regular kitchen-size bags. Is it worth the expense? How do you deal with disposal?
Thank you,
Lilbet

13 replies | 1417 views

Sep 18, 2024

Those cheap bags will leak. Many have small holes in the bottom & only 2? mil thick? Chinzy! Try Doggie Poop Bags. Free, thicker, leakproof & black(no one likes staring at their POOP!

Sep 18, 2024

Bill, Hollister makes them as well. Much bigger than Convatec's. Fits my homemade emptying device perfectly.

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Shawn57

Ostomies in TV

Feb 29, 2024 - Aug 06, 2024

Was wondering if anyone saw the episode of Chicago Med yesterday that had a storyline about a young boy with an ileostomy. This is so rare even in movies so I definitely took notice and they tried to take a good stab at it. For someone who knows very little about ostomies and surgical procedures, it was okay I guess. But medical storylines on these shows are always far from reality anyway.

1

32 replies | 1995 views

Mar 03, 2024

I be da pied piper..

Aug 06, 2024

It's not often you see an ileostomy storyline on TV, so it was cool that Chicago Med featured it. They didn't get everything right, but at least it raises some awareness.

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PistolPeets

Side Sleeping with an Ileostomy - Seeking Leak Solutions

Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 07, 2024

Hello all! I'm new to the community. This looks like a great place for advice and the people seem great!
I had my ileostomy 5 weeks ago so I'm still very new to this all. I've always been a side sleeper, but 95% of the time I'm sleeping on my side, I wake up to a mess. I don't sleep well on my back, but I have an adjustable base bed so I can incline it like a hospital bed which does allow me a ...

20 replies | 360 views

Aug 07, 2024

Lots of really good advice already given, but two things you might look into: 1) Wafers with deep convexity - when I got my first ostomy, I had a frequent leak at about the 5 o'clock position due ...

Aug 07, 2024

So you are having leaks on the left side during the day as well as at night? For sore skin, you can get a product called Marathon that helps a lot. I think it is medicated and it has a crusting ef ...

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Penguins7

Ostomy Travel Tips - Be Prepared & Stay Comfortable!

Jul 28, 2017 - Sep 16, 2024

I have a few tips for my ostomy friends out there when you travel locally or on extended trips: I never leave the house without an emergency change out. When I travel on an airplane, I carry a backpack with extra supplies and a change of underwear and a t-shirt and extra pants. I carry rolled up several toilet paper sheets (folded 5 times) and a 3 oz. container of baby oil (airlines allow up t ...

9 replies | 3582 views

Mar 20, 2018

Has anyone done long-haul flights? If so, I need any of the hints you can give me. I have been to Kenya 29 times but haven't been back since my abdominoperineal resection for cancer. I feel quite ...

Sep 16, 2024

I am traveling on my first major trip, post-op to Tokyo. I like the small backpack idea for carry-on. Easy to carry, free hands. Always carry a folded TP in my left pocket for quick stops or after ...

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Littlemama325

Advice for Eliminating Ostomy Odor?

Feb 23, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024

Hey all! I am new to this site, but I am not new to being an ostomy warrior. I'm going on nine years. Anyone have advice or suggestions on how to eliminate odor? I've tried the Adapt from Hollister, and that just makes it worse. Any suggestions, besides not eating or drinking the things I love?!

14 replies | 565 views

Aug 18, 2024

Strike a match or two. Works great.

Aug 18, 2024

And boom! Goes the house!

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