This topic is about managing the unexpected and sometimes loud gas noises that can come from a stoma, especially when you're new to having an ostomy and need to speak in front of large audiences. Here are some practical tips and insights shared by others who have been in similar situations:

1. In the early days after surgery, it's common to experience more gas, but this usually decreases as you heal. Many people find that their stoma becomes quieter over time.

2. You can learn to sense when gas is about to be released:
- With practice, you might feel a "whoosh" just before it happens, giving you a moment to muffle the sound or turn away.
- Sometimes, there might be no warning, so it's important to accept that surprises can happen.

3. Here are some tricks to muffle the sound:
- Lightly press your hand, wrist, or a few layers of tissue over the stoma.
- Turn your back to the audience or step towards a board or flip-chart while it passes.
- Create a benign noise, like opening a squeaky file cabinet, to mask the sound.
- Use an extra-thick cloth pad inside an ostomy support belt or waistband as a "muffler."

4. Consider diet and medication to reduce gas before speaking events:
- Avoid foods and drinks that cause gas, like carbonated sodas, beer, chewing gum, and poorly cooked beans, the day before or morning of the event.
- Over-the-counter products like Gas-X (simethicone), Beano Liquid, and Imodium (loperamide) can help.
- Eating about 10 regular marshmallows around 20 minutes before an event can thicken output and quiet the stoma, a tip from an ostomy nurse.
- Regular use of probiotics over several months has helped some people reduce gas.

5. Practice and attitude are key:
- Keep a sense of humor; audiences often think the sound is just ordinary stomach growling, and there's no odor.
- If a noise does slip out, continue calmly or look around innocently; most people won't suspect the source.

6. Additional tips:
- Tissue-paper layers can be worn inside the pouch for events to help muffle sounds.
- A video link was shared for comic relief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVnKbEZwLJo
- Colostomies tend to be louder, but some who later received an ileostomy reported less noise.

By combining strategic diet and medication, simple muffling techniques, and maintaining a relaxed mindset, you can manage stoma sounds and keep them from affecting your public-speaking engagements.