Ostomy Topics

Following an emergency Hartman's procedure in July, I am slowly coming to terms with life with my new friend "Sami." However, as I have a holiday booked in December and have already paid the huge penalty bestowed on me by the travel insurance company, I am determined to see it through. However, the closer it gets, the more overwhelmed I'm feeling.
I already travel with a bag full of prescripti ...

I will be getting my Haylo system soon. Has anyone tried it?

My GP has given me a vitamin D + calcium supplement. Looking online, I found that if I don't have vitamin K2 in my system, then the calcium gets laid in the arteries rather than the bones.
So my question is - if I'm eating vitamin K foods, how does this vitamin K get broken down to make K2? And the K2 that is produced in the colon - is this from the vitamin K in foods or is it some other proce ...

I'm new; last Thursday was my surgery. The longest a bag has stayed was 3 days, and honestly, that was low activity. I've watched videos, and my sister and my husband have helped me. This last one today blew out in 5 minutes. How can I help my poor skin? I used the barrier; I tried calamine lotion, but it burned and had to come off right away. I'm so freaking frustrated! P.S. Every bag they p ...

G-day Ostomates, I thought I would show you my setup in the toilet. I sit facing the back wall, and this way I can have everything I need in front of me, making emptying and changing so much easier. You can also see a seat I made to make it more comfortable, but it does work just as well without the seat. I hope this helps someone to make life a little bit better. Regards, IGGIE

I came across this really uplifting story about a bodybuilder who's showing that life after ostomy surgery can still be active and fulfilling. He talks about how he got back to training, staying confident, and not letting the bag hold him back. It's a good reminder that having an ostomy doesn't mean you have to give up the things you love doing.
It's great to see more people being open about l ...

Hello group. Has anybody developed a hiatal hernia from their ostomy surgery? I have, and it's bad! My doctors seem irresponsible and only pass the buck. I am thinking about getting a colostomy to help improve my life since my ileostomy has been a living hell. 100 blockages in the last 7 years. Now I have a level 4 hiatal hernia which explains my constant burping after eating.
To complicate ma ...

This is Jennifer. I had an ileostomy for 7 years and then changed to a colostomy 6 years ago. I had perianal cancer from a very rare skin cancer. I had the removal of the cancer and reconstructive surgery, which involved many skin grafts. The surgery took ten and a half hours, and I was not allowed to lay on my back or walk for two weeks. I could only move from one side to the other with assis ...

Hi folks,
I've had a permanent ileostomy for 8 years now. I've had slow GI motility since being a kid. My gastroenterologist suggested taking a prokinetic. I'm tired of taking all the medicine that Western doctors push. I've been taking a half dose of Miralax each morning for a couple of days. It seems to help. Has anyone else tried this? I haven't discussed this with my GI doc. Any suggestion ...

Hi All,
Just a quick post to assure those who are in two minds about stoma reversal.
I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in June 2016 and successfully had an operation to remove my left kidney, which was completely infected with cancer. During my operation, they uncovered further cancer that had spread to my colon and my pancreas, and parts of the infected areas were also removed. It was quite ...

Does anyone have any recommendations for flying with an ostomy? What kind of clothes should I wear? Any tips or tricks? And how many bags should I bring?
First-time flyer with an ostomy.
Thanks :)

I’M READING A BOOK about the CIA. I also just spent three days hospitalized for dehydration stemming from a bug I caught that turned my discharge into liquid and dehydrated me. I mention the CIA in this context because, on the subject of torture, the hospital staff could teach the CIA people a thing or two about sleep deprivation. They practice constant patient interruption 24 hours per d ...

Hi all.
I'm an avid cyclist, and almost every weekend, except during winter, you can find me out on the trails. I normally ride between 30 and 50 miles. I've had my colostomy for over a decade now, and in the past, I've been able to eat whatever I want when I'm riding. Over the past couple of years, I've developed some blockages, and my GI doctor wants me to eliminate nuts and reduce fiber.
So ...