Hi Guys,

New here. I've had one question on my mind that I've been unable to find any answers on. In November I was finally relieved from Ulcerative Colitis after failing a few medications and throwing in the towel. I went into surgery explicitly wanting the bag and the bag I did come out with (loop ileostomy with a constructed j pouch, step 2). My surgeon is already pushing me to finish up ...

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. ...

It's painful only when I move…. If I hold still, I'm okay. It turns out the Brava sheets were leaving bruises. So glad I have revision surgery next Friday! Let's hope it's a GOOD Good Friday for all involved!

Tomorrow marks one year since I had emergency surgery due to a perforation in my colon and got my colostomy. For several months, I was angry, resentful, overwhelmed, bitter, and depressed. I didn't think I would ever be able to cope with my new normal. I blamed myself. I don't remember how I found this group, but I am so grateful I did. You all helped to ease my loneliness and gave me support ...

It's been a year since I left my colon at the hospital and have been blessed with overall good health. I am very active with hiking, biking, skiing, and embarking on a 3-week trip to meet my son in Nepal for a few weeks of trekking!
I currently use a stealth belt for my activities but wanted to get any other advice on what had worked well for others and travel tips. I have never taken 3 weeks ...

I put together a great stoma emptying device. Works great in my car, hiking, and flying. You all have seen this jar. As a patient, I have two. Hollister disposal bags fit perfectly. I shoved a few extra bags in the bottom. All you need are wipes for the pouch and hands.
Note the red circle. I drilled two tiny holes on either side with my Dremel, so the bag expands in the jar. Hope IGGIE reads ...

Question from a new ostomate: How do you handle emptying an ileostomy when outdoors for hours or all day and no bathroom is nearby? For example, on a boat ride, hiking in a group, just sitting with friends at sunset, sunrise, or around a campfire? How about when camping, either backpacking or car camping? Are my tenting days over?
Thanks
Bruce

Hi all! I'm 27 and looking for other young ostomates. I'm in the United States, Georgia to be specific. I'm looking for both local and virtual connections with others in the young adult stage. I have a great local support group, but everyone is over 50 and relatively inactive. When I go through members here local to me, I don't find anyone in my age group. Does anyone have tips on meeting youn ...

I am searching for the best way to secure my urostomy pouch when cycling. I have looked at various websites, but I am not sure what the best method is, e.g., wraps?
Any thoughts on what the best way to do this is?

Under went symptoms of a blockage this evening, started my usual blockage protocol but then I slipped in a new trick up my sleeve, Hopped on my vibration plate and assumed some positions that encourage small bowel movement took about 10min and things seem to be moving. Whew will keep this in the old play book.

Well, it has been four days since my stoma reversal surgery, and I came home on Saturday.
Surgery went well on May 21st; my surgeon said it took approximately 30 minutes.
My bowels ‘woke up' at 3:19 a.m. on May 22 with a very loud, smelly fart. At 5:29 a.m. the same morning, I rushed to the bathroom.
I had the choice to go home on Friday, but after my experience with a lot of pain and infect ...