Ostomy Support Forum

I'm curious — has anyone here been pregnant with a stoma? How did it go? Was it extra challenging, or just another one of those “figure it out as you go” adventures?
My main worries are the usual suspects: keeping up the energy, the growing belly changing how the appliance fits (because my stoma already has a mind of its own!), and the whole idea of being pregnant after being sick for ...

Just wanted to share a link to the UOAA Ostomy Academy on YouTube as Hubz and I learned a lot this morning about hernias! Another fun Saturday! Yay!
His surgeon mentioned that a loop colostomy has a slightly higher risk for hernia, so off to UOAA we went. I really didn't even know the structure of a parastomal hernia, so it was really hard to even understand how the hernia belts would work.
Th ...

Morning all, hope you are all well. Just a quick update. I didn't post anything here for quite a while. So I had my full panproctocolectomy on the 17th of July this year due to ulcerative colitis. My recovery went well, 5 weeks later I was back to driving, 6 weeks later I am pretty much where my old self was, and now my bottom wound is almost completely healed. Results of the removed intestine ...

If you go online to AliExpress and type ostomy into the search bar, you will find huge amounts of ostomy products from bags, wipes barrier rigs, belts, sprays the whole range. I always buy non-woven tape from them and I only pay about $7 instead of the $30-$40 at the pharmacy (I have lots of allergies and their tape is good). I've also used their flange extenders. I have not used any other ...

I just realized today I've had my ileostomy 50 years! Where has the time gone? I've been very lucky and had very few problems. My skin surrounding the stoma is good.
I'm 69. I do wonder how people cope as they get older with their skin?
Skin can get thin for some in their old age. At the moment, I don't use any products to remove the pouch, but I guess that may change if my skin gets thin.

Hello all
Although my colostomy surgery was in August, I have only been home and managing it on my own for the past month. This is my first post but I’ve already been finding the answers I’ve so desperately needed from your answers to other newbies. My apologies for taking so long to say hello and to thank you. I am so blessed and grateful to have found you since without you I would still ...

It's my birthday. Back in April, I had no idea how sick I was, but when not one, but two of your doctors tell you that if you had waited another week, I could've died from the infection I had in my colon, that kind of makes you think. Even though I had to have a colostomy and ended up with my stoma, I keep telling myself it's worth it. And if I am lucky, I can have a reversal, but I'm here. Al ...

Why do you love your ostomy? The last couple of mornings, I woke up thinking about the little ways I'm thankful for mine, like I'm much more in tune with my body now and I have the cleanest butt in all the land without even needing to wipe! What are yours? I'm looking forward to hearing and adding to my list!

Mentioning Gloria Gaynor's “I Will Survive” song in a recent post, I decided to review her lyrics. What I found is that it could have been my theme song after my ileostomy surgery and joining MAO.
At first, I was afraid; I was petrified.
Thinking I could live without you by my side.
And after spending nights
Thinking how you did me wrong,
I grew strong.
And I learned how to get along.
I wi ...

Hello, I have stage 4 colon cancer since 6/24 and have to deal with an ileostomy and a stoma named George. He is very active, and I do have leakage sometimes at night. I am thinking about the skin barriers. Anyone have problems like this and suggestions?

For many years, I was either unable to travel or suffered with Crohn's while traveling. Two weeks ago, I took my first vacation with an ostomy and was able to enjoy my time away. Not only a vacation, but a vacation at Disney/Universal with a ton of walking, rides, and all kinds of food. I did have some anxiety to start with, but it turned out to be misplaced. It was such a great feeling to be ...