Dating as a single parent with an ostomy can feel daunting, especially when you're unsure how it might affect potential relationships. Here's a story of a 27-year-old single parent who has been living with an ostomy since May and is now ready to start dating again. However, she feels anxious about how her ostomy might impact her dating life.

- She has turned down several date offers due to anxiety and wonders if dating someone who also has an ostomy would be easier.
- Her male friends assure her that her ostomy bag wouldn’t bother them, but she remains hesitant.
- Since her surgery, her life has improved significantly. She can swim with her little boy, attend social events, and even go to festivals. Yet, she still feels nervous about accepting dates and questions if she is "weird" for feeling this way.
- Recently, she started seeing someone who has no issues with her ostomy bag, and they have a good sexual relationship, now being "friends with benefits."

Here are some pieces of advice and insights from others who have been in similar situations:

1. Put yourself out there with confidence. Many people find partners after surgery, and showing your true self is important.
2. Be upfront early on about your ostomy and single-parent status. This helps to quickly filter out anyone who isn’t suitable for you.
3. Most partners are not bothered by an ostomy. Many people have successful relationships, including marriages, with both ostomates and non-ostomates.
4. If someone judges you for having an ostomy, they are not worth your time. Often, self-esteem issues are more about the ostomate's feelings than the partner's.
5. Personal stories from others:
- One person met their spouse, who also has a colostomy, through a community.
- Another has had four relationships in 18 years post-surgery, and none of the partners objected to the ostomy bag.
- Confidence can take time to build. One person waited eight years before feeling ready to date.
6. Consider using resources like the dedicated dating site ostodate.com, which offers a free registration option.
7. Embrace an empowering mindset: "If they can’t handle me with the bag, they don’t deserve me without it." An ostomy doesn’t impose real limitations on activities or intimacy.