Hi all,
I am new to this discussion group. I am a little over a year with an ileostomy now—very happy to be here and asking this question!
Has anyone tried swimming in an indoor heated pool? Would you recommend it or stay away? Also, if you do recommend it, what precautions should I take to make sure there is no leakage? I appreciate any advice you have.
Thank you,
Susan

Hello my friends, who provide me with support, prayers, and smiles.
I had my stoma revision and have been going day by day on the road to recovery, and... I had indigestion; it was horrible. I started throwing up bile (YUCK), white, yellow, sheesh 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 6 PM ...

Hey everyone!

Not trying to offend anyone here—just genuinely curious and slightly worried and looking for some wisdom.

I read online that the average age of getting an ostomy is 68, and some studies show people living up to 30 years with one! That’s why they call it a ‘full life’ but what does that mean if you get an ostomy at 35, life’s over by 65?

Also, can we make an inf ...

Hi everyone!
A week ago, I had to have abdominal surgery, and they removed my large intestine; now I have my small one and an ileostomy. I just have a few questions if someone is willing to help me out, just to calm my nerves a bit.
I understand that for the first few weeks, I have to eat bland food and nothing strong, etc. I'm just wondering, after a while, will I be able to eat normally? And ...

Hi friends,
How do you apply your bags? Standing up, sitting down, laying down?
I've been doing it standing and have constantly had leaks. Wondering if applying it sitting will help.

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 ...

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 ...

I had my first colonoscopy Friday after my colostomy surgery a year ago. My GI doctor was very pleased at how everything has healed and how healthy my colon looked. He asked if I had thought about a reversal. When I told him I was not aware I was a candidate he was confused. I have enough colon remaining and everything looks so healthy after having the deceased portion removed. To be hon ...

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 ...

DOUCHE.

The douche has been a great device
for irrigating in a precise
way, usually using water to
cleanse ourselves of smell and goo.

Women have used douches, so they
can cleanse vaginas in a way
that leaves them feeling much more clean
than they might otherwise have been.

I used a rectal douche when I
was incontinent, whereby
I needed to be cleansed of shit
and this was what got rid of ...

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 ...

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 ...

I had noticed a bulge around my stoma with my stoma in the middle of it. It doesn't hurt, and when I lay down, it goes away and is flat (no bulge). I went to my surgeon today to ask about it. He looked at it and said, "Yep, it's a hernia." I told him I've not lifted anything at all to get it. He said it happens and seemed unconcerned. He smiled and said, "You'll be fine. When we do your colost ...

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 ...

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 ...

Santa Claus has come to town late but he's here. Note: I won't send extra supplies to the same person so to give a chance to all the needed ostomates. All I need is $ for shipping. No I'm not profiting from this, but it costs to send all this stuff. So if you need anything let me know.

42 of 11403
7 of 76902
2 Torbot Cement
2 Deodorant
2 peristeen system manual pump hose
Assorted ABD pads ...

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 ...

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.

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.

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