Ostomy Topics

Hi, I had a stoma fitted a week ago, and I'm really struggling. I can't stand all the work involved, and I cannot stop leaks. Anyone got any tips? I wake up in the night, and the bag has leaked, so I have to change it again. It's like I'm chained to the toilet, so I must be doing something wrong. Any help appreciated.

Went to see my surgeon due to having my ileostomy refashioned in August 2024.
Fast forward to now, my ileostomy has completely retracted, and I am struggling massively with leakages due to poor placement and blockages.
My surgeon has advised that I basically cope with it, and if it gets too much, then it will have to be relocated. I wake up every morning with a burst bag, I have blockages freq ...

Ok, so I wasn't told to measure output or what exactly to be drinking to keep hydrated, but I have had to come back into the ER because I am so weak and dehydrated. Now I understand I should be measuring my output and drinking Pedialyte. Any extra tips? I don't want to end up back in the hospital. I am 9 days post-op from emergency colectomy and ileostomy placement. Thank you.

I'm helping my MIL, who has an ileostomy. She just had partial hip replacement surgery about 2 weeks ago and is home. She had mobility issues before the surgery, so her recovery is complicated. Today, she says she is constipated, which I take to mean she is not having any output. She's trying to do without her pain meds today, and I suggested some prune juice. What are the current recommendati ...

I'm getting conflicting info regarding barrier sprays. I had my first couple of colostomy bag leaks this past week. The first was after an appointment where the ostomy nurse decided to try a different/convex product because of the inflammation around my ostomy. The nurse used stoma powder on the edge where there was still some separation from the surgery, then barrier spray, beneath a convex b ...

I feel like I smell like poop all the time. I am factious and clean up. Omg, is it just me!

Instead of emptying my pouch (Convatec Natura 2 piece), there are times it would be convenient to just change the pouch. So what does one do with the dirty pouch?

Hi Friends
One of the conditions I have is gastroparesis; this causes me to feel full fast and throw up a lot of undigested food even hours after eating.
This morning I woke up feeling very nauseous and went to throw up; this is usual and an almost daily occurrence. But today the vomit was really, really dark brown, almost black. I'm feeling okay, but the color of it shocked me.
I changed my b ...

My husband went in to have a gastrogriffin test with an ileostomy reversal scheduled a few days later. It was a total surprise to find the rectum was totally closed. Next week he is going to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy to try to see what the cause is. Has anyone had this happen, and what was the cause and treatment?
Very worried.

I'm scheduled for surgery later this month that will leave me with a permanent colostomy. I'd like to meet someone in Portland who would be willing to help me get started. I'm 49 and very active, so someone who likes to exercise and travel would be a great fit. I admire all of you who are handling this with such grace and helping each other in this forum. Honestly, I'm not sure I can go throug ...

Laugh at my experience and expense if it's funny to you. This is meant to be self-deprecating and a bit of a cathartic post. Maybe there's a tip in here somewhere for anyone who has acquired a stoma recently.
My first bag was put on while I was still in surgery. My second bag change happened with the wound care nurse in the hospital the day before I was discharged. The third was with my wife i ...

I have an ileostomy with a bag.
So I started a Zepbound journey. Knowing that a common side effect is constipation, it is highly recommended that you include a lot of fiber in your diet (along with crazy amounts of protein and water!).
I have been taking Imodium every day for years to keep things "not so watery." I am stopping that until I know how the Zepbound affects me.
That said, can I/sho ...

Hi, I'm a 34(m), and this is my first post on here, and I needed to see if anyone else deals with this. I have had an ileostomy since 2019, and I have never had a problem swallowing my food, that is until my last surgery in 2023. Since then, I have had problems with the first bite of my food and sometimes while eating if I eat too quickly or am not sitting straight. I forgot to add that I've h ...

Thinking about, and talking to the doctor about having a reversal done on my ileostomy in the next couple of months. I am, however, scared beyond belief to have this done. I was in the hospital for over a month, where I had two emergency surgeries and ended up with my ileostomy. I believe I have anxiety and almost PTSD from being in the hospital that long, so I do not want to go back and have ...