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 ...

On the topic of dressy dresses, jumpsuits, etc., for us ostomates - there's a company called "lightinthebox" where I found the perfect LBD. Here's the description: Women's Classic Little Black Dress Mini Dress Contrast Lace Scalloped Neck Mesh Sleeve Casual Party Fall Winter 2024. I'll try to post a pic because I can't post it from the website here for some reason.

Does anyone know of skin cleansing wipes that are good for cleaning and healing irritated skin?
My skin has broken down from poo and I want to try and heal it.

Hi all, this is my first post. A lady posted about using a Dixie cup while showering to keep the bag dry. Is this a brand? Also, any suggestions for added support for playing tennis? Thanks, Jackie.

I have found that if you put the skin protectant all around your skin where your wafer goes and not just around your stoma, your wafer will stick better to your skin. So if you have trouble getting your wafer to stick, try that out. Let the protectant dry a little and then apply the wafer. It will stick down better and give you a better seal.

Hi all, I know IRA surgery isn't performed as much as J-pouch, but I still have 10 inches left of sigmoid colon and a current end ileostomy. Last week, I had scopes and was told everything looked great and if I wanted to pursue surgery I should. I saw Dr. Remzi in NYC last year and discussed a J-pouch, but he never mentioned an IRA which suggests to me that he preferred a J-pouch since that's ...

Hi everyone,

I'm almost four months post-ileostomy surgery, and I'm looking to start rebuilding my core strength. I haven't been able to exercise for years, so I'm starting from scratch and want to be really careful.

One of my biggest concerns is overdoing it and increasing my risk of a hernia. I know core strength is important, but I'm not sure what exercises are safe to begin with. ...

Hi everyone! I first posted her back in March of 2024 and it's been a wild ride.

Last November I had a completely clear PET scan and was able to reverse my ileostomy surgery. I had no idea how difficult it was going to be to wake my colon back up and have all organs down there play nice with each other. I was in the hospital for almost 3 weeks just waiting to poop. It finally happened and ...

GRATITUDE.
The worst of times has got to bewhen first you find your ostomy.You can no longer hide awayit’s on your side and there to stay.
It shakes you to the very coreand makes you feel that you deplorethe very thing that helped you toavoid the brink and then pull through.
In those early days you’re stressedand easily become depressed.After your stoma comes along you start to ...

Has anyone had a colostomy because you couldn't expel stool through the ano-rectal passage due to your pelvic floor muscles contracting rather than relaxing when you wanted to poop? If so, has it worked out for you? Any challenges or complications? Did you get it reversed at some point or do you hope to get it reversed? What are you doing to see if you can reverse it? I know it's a lot of ques ...

I recently got a sigmoid colectomy. It's been a week and I still feel kind of in the dark (knowledge-wise). Anyone that wouldn't mind being bothered by what may seem like dumb or annoying questions? I would like to make more friends through this as well. Thank you