I'm sorry, but I think you're being a little overly sensitive. The reason I think that there are too many people on this site that dislike themselves is because I've heard them say it, and I think it's unbelievably sad that anyone should feel that way. But I also think that many of them probably had pretty poor self-esteem to begin with because those who have a good sense of self-esteem can regain their positive body image quicker. I've seen it. I work in healthcare, and I've been around folks who received ostomies WAY before I did. So excuse me, but that isn't an opinion due to "self-centeredness," it comes from experience.
As a matter of fact, I've only had mine for a year and a half. So I have not had mine long either. I think that if you are, in fact, suffering from low self-esteem, depression, or any of the other mood-altering states that exist due to your ostomy surgery, then you do need to work on yourself. That means counseling, seeking professional help, etc. There's no reason anyone needs to live like that.
I don't *seem* to be fairly intelligent (cute little veiled insult there, lol); I am, and I know exactly what I'm talking about. If you put out there that you have this horrible, disgusting, awful thing on you that you HATE (as you say frequently, for example), then people are going to see it that way as well. If you were as intelligent as you think you are, you'd realize that. And you'd be able to learn how to adjust your clothing appropriately as well. I'm no stranger to leaks, I have them all the time. As a matter of fact, last night I went to a book signing and RIGHT BEFORE it started - surprise! Leak! So I spent the first 25 minutes in the bathroom changing my ostomy. But I had fun regardless because I chose to. I guess probably should have come on here and cried and whined about it, and maybe you would have liked me more? I don't know.
You have absolutely no idea how hard I worked to develop a positive outlook or how hard I had to work to develop a positive body image again, so don't you DARE ever attack me. Unlike you, I did not have time to get used to the idea beforehand or have an ideal surgery. Mine was done in an emergency because I was dying at 35, with three children behind me, and I had no idea I was going to wake up with an ostomy. Furthermore, I am entitled to my beliefs and opinions just as much as you, regardless of whether I hate the world like you do or I don't. I never said that someone's mate hadn't left them because of their ostomy, I know that happens - what I actually said was those people must be pretty horrible to do that. And more importantly, I never insinuated ANYONE was less of a person, so don't put words in my mouth again. If you want to quote me, then quote my actual words and don't try to manipulate them. That's a pretty cheesedog move of you, actually. The next time you'd like to try and deal a low blow, deal it to someone else.