This topic is about managing a colostomy, specifically focusing on irrigation and dealing with odors around the wafer area. The person has had a colostomy for nine months and is exploring irrigation as a way to address a persistent odor issue. Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. **General Encouragement & Suitability**
- Many people who try irrigation find it preferable to wearing full-size bags, and very few experience constipation if they stop.
- It's important to confirm with a stoma nurse that you're a good candidate for irrigation, which has already been done.
- Watching YouTube videos from hospitals can be a great way to learn the steps involved in irrigation.

2. **Scheduling & Frequency**
- It's best to irrigate at the same time each session to establish a routine. Common schedules include every morning after breakfast or every second morning.
- Some people find it easier to irrigate at night, as any small output that occurs afterward happens while sleeping, avoiding surprises during the day.

3. **Appliance Choices & Supply Management**
- To conserve supplies, keep the wafer in place and only change the pouch or cap.
- Consider using small "irrigator" bags that are strong, have a plastic inner liner, and can be rinsed and reused. These are available as free samples from some manufacturers.
- In Europe, stoma caps or plugs can replace bags after irrigation, but in North America, small pouches are still needed.
- Always have a few regular bags on hand in case you need to skip irrigation due to a blockage or illness.

4. **Odor & Comfort Benefits**
- Irrigation can significantly reduce odor, gas, perspiration under the pouch, and the bulk of the pouch, making clothing fit better.
- While m9 drops and Coloplast Brava lubricant are effective for pouch odor, the odor around the wafer area typically disappears once irrigation reduces or eliminates the need for wearing a pouch.

5. **Technique Tips**
- After irrigation, fold the sleeve closed so it acts as a temporary large bag, which can be useful overnight if you irrigate in the evening.
- If the sleeve loosens, a homemade support or belt can help hold the wafer in place and direct any output safely into the sleeve.
- Experiment with stoma plugs or caps if available, as they can provide additional support, especially if you have a peristomal hernia.

6. **Reassurance on Stopping Irrigation**
- Members who have paused irrigation for up to two weeks, such as after a food blockage, reported that their bowels returned to their pre-irrigation patterns without experiencing constipation.