Relocating to a new country can be a big adventure, especially when you're managing a new ileostomy. If you're planning to move to Javea, Spain, and are concerned about stoma care, supplies, and managing high output, here are some helpful tips and insights to make the transition smoother:

1. Registration & Healthcare Access
- Once you arrive, register with a local GP, known as a "médico de familia," through your private health insurance. They will refer you to a hospital stoma nurse, or "estomaterapeuta."
- Ex-pat advice centers in the Costa Blanca and Alicante area can assist with paperwork and guide you to local resources.

2. Obtaining Supplies
- Whether you have state healthcare or private insurance, ostomy bags and wafers are prescribed and collected at the local pharmacy, with a small co-payment usually required.
- Typically, you can pick up supplies every two weeks. Pharmacies can order items not in stock the same day, and regular requests might encourage them to keep your preferred products in stock.
- Bags and wafers are often free, while accessories like barrier sprays and strips may require payment. Nurses sometimes offer free samples of accessories.

3. Product Availability in Spain
- Coloplast products, which you are currently using, are commonly available in Spain.
- Many hospitals in the Alicante province also prescribe Hollister products. Some people have had success with Hollister Cera Plus pouches and the Hollister Adapt wax ring.
- Supplies are usually delivered quickly once prescriptions are processed, but the final product choice depends on the prescribing doctor.

4. Ongoing Monitoring
- Regular blood tests can be easily arranged through the hospital, with the frequency adjusted based on clinical needs.
- Oncology and gastroenterology teams can coordinate IV fluids or vitamin infusions if you experience high output or are undergoing chemotherapy.

5. High-Output Management Tips
- Dietary adjustments like eating Chinese noodles and other pasta dishes can help thicken output.
- A combination of loperamide and a few marshmallows before breakfast can effectively slow down the flow for some individuals.
- High-calorie oral nutrition drinks, such as Fresubin, prescribed by Spanish oncologists or gastroenterologists, can aid in restoring weight and nutrients.

6. General Recovery Encouragement
- Recovery is a gradual process, with improvements in energy, mobility, and confidence happening step by step.
- Many UK expatriates with stomas in Spain find that the sunshine, outdoor living, and supportive local healthcare contribute positively to their well-being.

These insights should help you feel more prepared and supported as you make your move to Spain.