4 hours and 40 minutes away!

The realization that I've finally come to a point where I've changed my last bag (and from the clear liquid diet for the last four days, it appears I have even emptied my last bag) is a good feeling.

The peristomal and the umbilical hernias have kept me from doing much that would contribute to weight loss, so naturally I've gained about twenty pounds in these s ...

Hello all! I’ve only posted here once, but I do check in every now and then to get some peripheral support. I’m constantly amazed at how everyone copes with this situation, some good, some bad, but mostly good. It’s a comfort to have a place to check in for a dose of reality and practical tips from fellow Ostomates..

My husband and I just did our first bit of travel after my surgery 14 ...

If you wear a 2-piece bag system, I discovered that I can remove the bag to shower and use a Dixie or Solo bathroom cup with some stoma paste (just a few dabs), and it fits perfectly onto my flange, covering my stoma. I use the Ostoform Flow Assist 2-piece system. Not even the towel knocked it off. No more wet bags.

Ladies (or those who support them!), my son is marrying in Chicago in March. After much thought about what kind of dress would work with an ileostomy and still look good, I found this dress by Adrianna Papell. The material is light, and it has some cross draping in front to help conceal a rapidly expanding bag, should I find that happening and need to wait before hitting the restroom. I kn ...

As many of you know, I have been home on rest fighting tooth and nail this latest Crohn's flare. I have been feeling better and better every day. I have finally hit the 3-digit mark in my weight and the appetite is coming back, with some crazy cravings. I blame the devil's drug on that one.
However, this past week my guts have been rather loud with gurgling, but the thing that is getting on my ...

Hi, I have a 2-piece system and my bags are extremely crunchy! All I have to do is move a little and the sound can be heard by everyone that is near me. Does anyone know of a cover for my pouch to muffle this? Plus, does anyone know of a waterproof shower cover?
Thanks!!

Does anyone take Metamucil daily or a stool softener? I've had a colostomy since 2015, never had a problem going, but now it's literally days before anything happens, and then it's all hell breaks loose. I'd like to be regular again. Oh, I eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and walk 2-3 miles a day, so there is no lack of that. Anyone know if that's something we can safely take daily?
Thank you!

When I change my bag, I play smooth jazz for my stoma. It seems to help calm it down. Didn't know if I was the only person to do something weird during a bag change?

Been anxiously awaiting for today. I have great confidence in my medical team. Started evacuating my bowels. The large capacity bag from Hollister has been a huge help. I will do my best to document my experience.

IF IT AIN’T BROKE - -!

Last night was a disaster
because I wanted to master
every tiny little bit
of my stoma and its shit.

For years I’ve never had a leak
and therefore never had to speak
of incidents and accidents
that used to knock my confidence.

This is because I’ve sorted out
how to control my stoma spout
by DIY experiments,
which solved problems to some extent.

But there a ...

Hi everyone:
As some of you know, I had emergency surgery due to Cdiff in September. At first, I thought I had no large colon left. Then I thought I had just enough for a reconnection as I was told by one of the doctors before I left the hospital. Then I found out through a flex sig that I have 18 cm plus. I told them to stop because I was in pain, but I was happy to hear that I have that ...

Tried to paste entire article which includes a photo of her in her bikini and video of explaining why she exposed herself. Google her name and you can view entire article done July 2022
Dare to bare: Living with a colostomy bag
Monday 7 July 3:30pm
Crohn's sufferer Bethany Townsend, 23, became an overnight internet sensation after an image she posted of herself in a bikini with a colostomy ba ...

Someone here had good things to say about this pouch lube/deodorant so I ordered. It works as advertised with easy emptying and reduced odor. However: I found the product oozed out of my bag filter (sensura mio convex) and left oily stains on the pouch cover and on my clothes. I tried using filter covers but the oil of the product destroyed the adhesive. Fortunately, the company's customer ser ...

So heading back to Florida after the New Year with my grandson. Any advice on getting in pools and/or hot tubs? I use Hollister products for my wafer and bag. Two pieces.

I am brand new to this; I literally just made my account, so please be patient with me! Lol
So I have a beautiful, goofy, smart, incredible daughter who just turned 8 years old. She was born with an extremely rare birth defect (2 in 1 million babies are born with it on average); the cause is unknown. I won't bore you with all of the details, but a quick, very basic idea of how she was born is ...

First of all, I can't find any of my previous posts. Ugh, I was hoping there was a link on my profile page, but...
Well, for those that have read those previous posts, I'm finally having surgery tomorrow morning at 7 EST. The hospital is 2 hours away, so having to be there at 5 AM means we need to leave home at 3 AM. OMG! Well, I know I won't sleep tonight, but I'm having my husband go to bed ...

One thing I have struggled with since my ostomy, is having to go to the chiropractor, or a massage therapist. Lying flat on the chiropractor's table is extremely uncomfortable on my ostomy, and having any pressure put on me has made it even worse. I've feared leaks, or even damage to my ostomy, although neither has happened. I simply haven't gone for a massage since my ostomy, and I've avoi ...

In an effort to separate the "wheat from the chaff," I've embarked on a series of experiments. Consider me your ostomy crash test dummy.
I read about it all the time: Don't eat nuts. And if you dare, eat a tiny amount and chew the hell out of them.
At Walmart, I purchased a large can of salted, mixed nuts. Splurging, I picked up Mr. Peanut's Planters brand. I figure, if you're going down, do i ...

So I love to go swimming. Now that I have an ostomy I don't swim anymore. Tips recommendations, help me here open to all suggestions thanks!

Happy Stoma-Versary to me! It's been 7 years since I had my ileostomy surgery that literally saved my life! Here's to all of us survivors and warriors!