This topic is all about making life with an ostomy more comfortable and manageable, focusing on preventing leaks, ensuring comfort, and establishing a daily routine. Here are some helpful tips and insights shared by others:

- To keep your spirits up during the day, try streaming the "Mi Soul" app, which offers a variety of internet radio stations like Mi Soul, Mi Groove, and Mi House.
- For a relaxing night-time routine, consider enjoying a large brandy and port with lemon and ice, which some find "medicinal."
- When it comes to sleep, remember the saying: "an hour before midnight is worth two after."
- A major tip for preventing leaks is to warm both your skin and the pouch with a hair-dryer before and after applying the appliance. Press down any puckers while everything is still warm.
- If you're in a motor-home or need an alternative to a hair-dryer, you can microwave a wheat (heat) bag and lay it over the pouch to soften the adhesive.
- For better comfort in bed, try cuddling a 4-ft bolster pillow when sleeping on your side. Lying on the colostomy side, which typically has little night output, can help you sleep more deeply.

Some additional questions and information shared by others include:

- How do people manage to keep a pouch on for 5–6 days? Does it require a two-piece system with a base plate?
- Some have recently switched brands and are finding better seals. They are open to further product tips.
- Are the long-wear pouches vented or unvented?
- There is curiosity about using black-colored pouches to blend with dark clothing.

Here are some more pieces of advice and insights:

- When using the hair-dryer method, make sure to dry the peri-stomal skin thoroughly, then aim warm air around the flange for about 30 seconds. Many have reported no leaks and extended wear time with this method.
- After applying a new pouch, cover the flange with your hand and maintain firm, even pressure for about 90 seconds to secure the adhesive.
- Soft convex wafers can increase wear time while remaining comfortable. Some prefer the Hollister one-piece soft convex (#8958).
- Some find better seals with a one-piece system, as two-piece systems occasionally leak or separate during the night.
- A typical wear routine for the Hollister #8958 involves changing every 5–6 days, showering daily, and washing the outside of the pouch with soap and water.
- For vent management, the #8958 is vented. Covering the vent with the supplied round sticker can prevent pancaking, and you can manually "burp" the pouch to release gas when needed.
- Product experiences can vary widely, so it's worth trying several brands like Hollister, Coloplast, Dansac, and Salts to find what works best for you.
- An extra warmth option is to use a microwaveable wheat bag over the pouch, which can replicate the hair-dryer effect and is handy when traveling or off-grid.
- A general morale tip is to begin and end each day with gratitude. Keeping busy with morning routines can leave little room for self-pity.