Hi everyone!
I was wanting to ask about eating granola. I was wanting to add some granola to my yogurt and other things. Do you think this may cause a blockage or something more serious?
Thanks for your advice and input.
Mindy

Wanted to share this little tip I got from an ostomy nurse. Did you know that you can use 4x4 skin barrier sheets to make your own barrier rings?
You can get 2 rings from each sheet by cutting them out yourself. I like to make mine the size of the pouch flange or just a little smaller.
Most pouch makers sell these. My favorites are Convatec Stomahesive and Hollister Hollyhesive.

In prior years, I have always donated my surplus supplies to my ET nurse. She told me this morning that they are no longer allowed to accept them due to a FDA ruling. She said that I could donate them to the American Cancer Society. So if people are looking for supplies you might want to call your local ACS to see if they have them available.

October 26th will be the 1-year anniversary of my life-saving surgery. To celebrate, meditate, reflect, and process this milestone, I am heading to a cabin called The Little House that sits on the side of a mountain in Marshall, NC. The mountains are my healing place. And no place is finer, in my opinion, than the mountains of North Carolina.
I've adapted, accepted, and grown with my colostomy ...

Hi, I am 75 and 3 months post-ileostomy surgery. I also have a mucus fistula. I was in the hospital for 6 weeks prior to my operation as I was very ill, having had a bowel perforation, and they wanted to build me up before the operation.
I am still so very tired. I am getting out a little, walking, driving a short distance, having friends over for an afternoon, and even been out for brunch wit ...

I hope I’m posting this in the right forum. I’ve had my ileostomy for 1 month and I’m having a devil of a time with finding clothing where the ostomy bag doesn’t stand out. I’d appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

I switched from one seal manufacturer, Brava, to Eakin early this summer 2024. I recommended both in my profile, which I'm likely going to update.
I am joining the growing percentage of people on here who toss the Eakin to the trash due to skin irritation.
I thought the Eakin was perfect. Soft, moldable, leak preventive worth. Since starting using it, I noticed redness developing until this mo ...

Hey gang, long-time ostomy guy here. Thirteen-plus years with an ileostomy. Generally, no complaints. Crohn's disease, life-saving surgery, great surgeon, good insurance. My question is about how often folks have a seal failure. I've had them on and off over the years, and I've dialed in my products to get a very satisfactory result overall. I try not to let my appliance go too long—about a ...

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 ...

When I change my bag, I play smooth jazz for my stoma. It seems to help calm it down. Didn't know if I was the only person to do something weird during a bag change?

I am new to having an ostomy bag. It's summer and I want to be able to swim and lay by the pool. What precautions should I take for protection of my ostomy bag for these things that I love to do? I'm also planning in two weeks to go to the beach, so I need suggestions…please!

Hey OstoMates! I have a question for the men of this site that I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with!
My body is fairly hairy, in particular my abdomen, which is obviously where my stoma is located. Obviously, this can affect adhesion of the bags to the skin.
Do any of you have experience of having to remove hair around your stoma? I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I don ...

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 ...

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I've had my ileostomy for about a year now. For the most part, I've gotten used to it, but I'm extremely anxious about getting into a pool. I'd love any tips or advice on how I can go about securing my bag or just really what to expect. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I had my ileostomy 10 weeks ago and unfortunately I’m still getting rectal bleeding from the UC which prompted the surgery - it’s not huge amounts but several times per day. I know this happens for some people. However, I’m not keen on further surgeries - I’m satisfied with my bag and in an ideal world, I’d be keen to keep my rectum. For those of you who had ongoing i ...

Hello everyone, it is nice to meet you all! It has been three weeks since my colostomy was installed. I started out with a Hollister two-piece system while in the hospital and for the most part have had pretty good luck with their equipment - no leaks, some pancaking, and 4 to 5 days between equipment changing. But that being said, I am not very fond of Hollister bags. They make so much noise ...

Hello everyone, I'm inquiring about THC/CBD intake while having an ostomy. I have had some bad days where I get very nauseous and in pain for some time, but the doctors do not know why. Because I'm a smoker, they automatically blame the weed smoking, but I believe it was because of other reasons. Is there any official site or information anyone has that I can show my grandmother about CBD not ...

So here I am, day 3 since my colostomy was reversed. Today I still have no appetite but am drinking fluids and have had terrible gas pain all day. I refuse to use the oxy the doc prescribed, so I'm on 500 mg of Extra Strength Tylenol every 6 hours. The doc said I would have diarrhea, and I imagined it would be like when you have a stomach bug and need to go every few minutes, but it's not like ...

I've had an ileostomy for a year and a half. I miss wearing jeans as I cannot find ones that are not too tight in the waist and/or baggy in the legs. I'm not looking for skin-tight legs but not super loose either. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I have an ileostomy and am very familiar with the struggles we ileo's deal with, but out of curiosity, I'm interested to know what struggles urosomates go through. How do you care for and empty it, etc.? Is it a challenge getting the bag on? I mean, will it start going like it does for us at changing times? Do you shower with or without the bag, etc.?