For the first time yesterday, I decided to play Osto Roulette and have a bagless shower. I used my lovely new shower gel that I got for Christmas and had no output at all. Result! I then put on my new bag, slathered myself in my new body lotion, and put on my new loungewear... I felt great!
Feeling very pleased with myself, I started to go about my day when I suddenly felt something wet drippi ...

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 ...

One thing I have struggled with since my ostomy, is having to go to the chiropractor, or a massage therapist. Lying flat on the chiropractor's table is extremely uncomfortable on my ostomy, and having any pressure put on me has made it even worse. I've feared leaks, or even damage to my ostomy, although neither has happened. I simply haven't gone for a massage since my ostomy, and I've avoi ...

Hello everyone. I just started using a new pouch lubricant called “It’s in the Bag” from revel. It has helped to reduce the “pancaking” I have problems with by quite a bit, although not entirely. It is extremely effective in getting my output down to the bottom of the pouch and the output slides out quickly and easily when I empty. The website address is: revelostomy.com. You ca ...

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.

Hello all,
To start with, I am a scientist who works in innovation for a medical device company that sells ostomy products. Since Hollister supports this forum, I'll disclose that I work for them. I have been racking my brain on what approaches, technologies, services, and breakthrough products could help people living with ostomates live the life they want to live, however that is defined.
Th ...

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 ...

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone has heard from saskatchewan steve. I know that he's friends with quite a few of us ostomates, just been thinking about him and hope that he's doing well. Please feel free to dm me with any updates. Thank you my fellow warriors

I have a colostomy that I have had since 2001. In 2004 I started doing a process called irrigation and would love to chat with anyone who also does irrigation

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 ...

In case this is of use to anyone else:

I was visiting my stoma nurse yesterday and asked why stoma scissors go blunt so quickly - she said it's the glue from the bags and giving the blades a wipe with a cotton wool patch soaked in acetone or nail polish remover removes the glue. Just don't cut yourself.

In an effort to separate the "wheat from the chaff," I've embarked on a series of experiments. Consider me your ostomy crash test dummy.
I read about it all the time: Don't eat nuts. And if you dare, eat a tiny amount and chew the hell out of them.
At Walmart, I purchased a large can of salted, mixed nuts. Splurging, I picked up Mr. Peanut's Planters brand. I figure, if you're going down, do i ...

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?!

So 13 years ago I had my bladder removed along with my prostate and 16 lymph nodes. A urostoma was installed. I was very lucky and for some reason I healed very quickly and was back to work in 3 weeks. Twice I had a nurse show me how to change my bag and I was discharged from the hospital in a week and never saw another nurse.
But I then noticed I never got an erection of any kind. As it turns ...

I got to thinking that there are leaks and then there are LEAKS. So I developed a staging guide. (Anyone else think I might have too much time on my hands?)

Stage 0: Output is pancaking but you catch it before it compromises the device seal

Stage 1: Leak is contained under the flange. You catch it before the skin becomes irritated.

Stage 2: Leak is contained under flange extender. The s ...

How often should I change my wafer? I have been changing it twice a week but feel I could go to once a week. The adhesion is still secure at 1 week and I feel like it would be kinder for my skin. I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks

I had my loop ileostomy surgery recently, and it went smoothly—pretty much painless, just a bit sore. I didn't need any pain medication. I was discharged yesterday evening since my output looked good and I felt comfortable managing the appliance. The food was terrible, so I didn't eat or drink much yesterday. This morning, I woke up feeling dehydrated, with some liquid output and a slight he ...

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 ...

Hello all... I am traveling next week. I have flown before and didn't have much problems, except having to rub my hands over my ostomy site and then having my hands read for explosive material..(This was in front of the travelers waiting to be checked in). Any suggestions on flying, traveling etc. As always thank you for all the sage advice and suggestions, tips and lessons. Yaya

Hello everyone,
I had an ileostomy done in August 2024. Thinking about buying a Stealth Belt to help with support and comfort. The horizontal one looks best in terms of concealment, but since I go through periods of high liquid output every day, I'm not sure this is the best choice. Has anyone else had a Stealth Belt? Any advice would be appreciated in advance.