Ostomy Support Forum

Howdy bagamigas and amigos, I haven't been here in a year or three, reintroducing myself.
I'm a middle-aged lady with a colostomy. My chocolate-smeared rosebud (the stoma, the ostomy) has been with me since 1997.
Fave products:
Convatec moldable Natura 45mm wafer - NOT the kind with the weird see-through accordion plastic on the ring (to make it easier to snap shut; those are stink factories; ...

About 3 months after my ileostomy and ureter repair surgery, I had to start working again and could not do anything strenuous. So, I took on a job working the midnight shift in retail (no customers), bathroom accessible any time I needed, light duty work (mostly). With that said, I'd been there over a year and took on a high volume, high stress position, thinking about higher pay and such. We ...

The pic was last night. The right side of my stoma went flat. It was like the air depleted. Then by the time I went to bed, both sides had depleted. It has always stood above the skin at least 1/2 inch. Now it's barely above the skin. Do I need to worry about this? It scared me when I noticed it, but everything seems to be working fine. Anyone else have this happen?

Trial and error has led me to a system of emptying and cleaning my pouch that makes everything feel better. I saw another post about using warm water in the pouch after emptying to wash it out. I will say it takes several times of doing this (put water in, holding the pouch up, swish it around, then empty) to get it clean. I do this until the water runs clear when coming out. I also use a deod ...

Underwent symptoms of a blockage this evening, started my usual blockage protocol, but then I slipped in a new trick up my sleeve. Hopped on my vibration plate and assumed some positions that encourage small bowel movement. Took about 10 minutes, and things seem to be moving. Whew, will keep this in the old playbook.

I'm scheduled for a Hartmann's reversal on July 8. My surgeon will "attempt" a repair of my parastomal hernia at the same time. Has anyone had both done at the same time before? What was your experience? I'm also open to any tips/tricks for the bowel prep the day before surgery. Thanks!

Hello! My daughter ended up with an ileostomy after a car accident. They plan on reversal in a few months, at her 6-month post-surgery mark. Until then, she has a skin-level stoma. We have had several wound nurses, and no one has had any suggestions that worked to stop the leak. Her stoma is not only skin-level but also has creases on both sides, one more than the other. It's right at her bend ...

Hi everyone! I am a summer baby and love the pool; however, I'm hesitant with my colostomy bag. I've been looking into the best way to protect my stoma and bag, but I wanted to ask you all for your experiences. Did all go well for you? Did you need extra support? Are the wafers with barrier strips enough, or should I get waterproof tape? What waterproof tape do you recommend, if any? Did you o ...

Hi,
I have to get an MRI on my pelvis. Does the MRI affect the wafer and bag? Will I have to do a bag change afterward?

Tomorrow at 8 a.m., I am having the ileostomy reversed. I had to come in and say thank you to everyone who has helped here along the way. I had some pretty low points on this journey, and this community was so supportive and helpful. I appreciate everyone who has chimed in with advice and words of encouragement.

I have irritated skin around part of my stoma. Any suggestions on healing? I have a nurse every 3 days to change the bag, and they just use water to clean the stoma and the area around it.