This topic is about someone who has just had revision surgery and is feeling a bit anxious about the healing process and taking care of their stoma. They are dealing with some soreness and are concerned about how things will look and work once they start changing their appliance. Here are some helpful pieces of advice and insights for anyone in a similar situation:

- Take it slow and focus on one thing at a time. You can deal with any issues as they come up.
- When you need to cough, sneeze, or get up, hold a pillow against your abdomen to help reduce the strain on your stitches.
- Avoid lifting anything heavy while you're still in the early stages of recovery.
- If you use a two-piece system, try removing just the pouch to check on your stoma. This way, you can see what size barrier or flange you need without disturbing the adhesion too much.
- Be prepared for some discomfort when you first remove the pouch. Stitches will heal in their own time, so don't rush the process.
- Rely on your past stoma-care experience. If your current supplies don't fit, you can request free samples from manufacturers and try different products until you find what works for you.
- Use the measuring template that comes with wafer boxes to help size your stoma, which might be swollen after surgery. For example, a stoma might initially be 29 mm and then settle to 25 mm.
- Remember that worrying ahead of time isn't helpful. Focus on taking care of yourself now and reach out for support if you need it.