Meet An OstoMate | MeetAnOstoMate

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About MeetAnOstoMate

Since our establishment in 2006, MeetAnOstoMate has blossomed from a humble platform into a vibrant multi-topic community. Founded on the principle that shared experiences breed understanding, our platform is dedicated to offering a space for members to openly discuss their challenges, share insights, and seek advice. As much as we are a platform for knowledge, we're also a meeting ground for friendships, love, and unwavering support.

Rene

Soaker Blues - Is It Safe to Soak Bag-Free with a Stoma?

Jan 24, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024

Hello ostomates. I found I prefer bag changes after a shower. The chance to shower bag-free, just me and the stoma. Good for peristomal health as well. I do, however, miss a good tub soaking. Is it okay to do that bag-free with the stoma fully immersed in water?

9 replies | 748 views

Jan 31, 2024

I am apparently the odd man out. I've never done the "naked shower" or bath. I have two ostomies, so there isn't really any way to do so without issues. You all have better-behaved stomas than I.

Oct 07, 2024

I always bathe bag-free; yes, sometimes the timing is wrong, but I don't care, I too deserve a soaking. I have always used an antiseptic (Dettol) in my bath. I find the soaking gets the skin clean ...

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infinitycastle52777

Do You Name Your Stoma? Share Your Stories!

Nov 04, 2023 - Oct 15, 2024

I'm curious if everyone here names their stoma. My ostomy nurse told me it was a very common thing. I named mine Marvin after Marvin the Martian because when he was fresh and new and all blobby, I thought he looked like a Martian coming out of my stomach. Then my ostomy nurse, whom I had for the first 2 months after surgery, started calling him a beautiful little rose. So then he became Marvin ...

1

56 replies | 1412 views

Oct 07, 2024

No, but to each their own. It just creeps me out.

Oct 15, 2024

I have two stomas, lucky lady me. My urostomy's name is Rosie because she looks like a rosebud. My colostomy has been named Petunia. I don't know why . . . it just seemed right.

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Rancher

Hernia Belt Advice for Post-Op Ileostomy Care

Aug 11, 2024 - Oct 29, 2024

Let's talk about hernia belts, preferably ones to prevent a hernia.
I am 7 weeks post-op with an ileostomy.
So I am getting very anxious about getting outside and getting some work done, but I will let myself heal up some more.
One of my concerns is developing a hernia.
I talked to my stoma nurse and she said, "Don't get a hernia belt with a hole for your ostomy, because they don't help around ...

13 replies | 380 views

Oct 28, 2024

Where did you buy it? I'm from Manitoba and am having trouble finding one with 3" opening.

Oct 29, 2024

Here is the ostomy armor. It's a bit bulky and pinches when you sit down. Way overpriced for what you get. But it definitely would help with a parastomal hernia. I never wore it when it was hot, b ...

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Advertisement

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections After Urostomy Surgery

Hollister

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Learn about some basic diet and ostomy pouch routines that can help prevent them.

mandi85

Ileostomy Takedown Recovery Tips and Advice

Oct 05, 2024

I had my ileostomy takedown surgery yesterday.
What are tips and tricks from you all that worked?
The nurses are trying to make me eat solids already, and I don't feel right about that.
What do I do?
Any suggestions are welcome.

2 replies | 168 views

Oct 05, 2024

Agree with the nurses. You need to see how your system handles the food.

Oct 05, 2024

If you are still in the hospital, try firmer foods; you have to start that process sooner or later. I started immediately after colostomy reversal. Just small meals to "test the waters." Advance a ...

Justbreathe

DIY Stout Spout: A Simple Fix for Ileostomy Bags

Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024

My Stout Spout
(A Simple DIY Fix)
First of all, many thanks to Bill Withers for his encouragement to try your hand at DIY.
Today I developed a better means to empty output. I call it my Stout Spout. For a very long time, I have been a searcher and seeker of the perfect application for my ileostomy housing product, or as I refer to it, “Better Bags & Stoma Housing.”
I have test-driven many ...

10 replies | 382 views

Sep 19, 2024

Haha...I'm sure most women look for a man like that too...so maybe you're in luck

Sep 19, 2024

Looks like you're wearing the Convatec ActiveLife. Those are the best pouches ever! I'm on the Convatec ActiveLife also, but the convex. The spout is quite small, and I get what you're saying abou ...

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LeedsLad94

Hair Removal - Area Around the Stoma

Apr 15, 2024 - Oct 15, 2024

Hey OstoMates! I have a question for the men of this site that I'm hoping someone may be able to help me with!
My body is fairly hairy, in particular my abdomen, which is obviously where my stoma is located. Obviously, this can affect adhesion of the bags to the skin.
Do any of you have experience of having to remove hair around your stoma? I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I don ...

17 replies | 835 views

Oct 15, 2024

I have too much gray in my hair.

Oct 15, 2024

Anybody try laser hair removal? I was told that was an option

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Bilbo baggins

2 Firsts

Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024

I have just got back from my first trip away from home. Exactly 6 months since I got my pal Bilbo attached.
I rented a static caravan for 4 nights as I thought this would be the best way to learn how to live with Bilbo without having to worry about others.
I have to say it worked out very well.
Getting up 3 or 4 times a night to empty Bilbo.
I followed what my mother used to say:
Prepare for t ...

4 replies | 218 views

Sep 08, 2024

While in the hospital for 2 months, I lost 45 pounds in weight.
If the truth be known, I needed to lose 20 of them anyway. Lol

Sep 08, 2024

Cruise ships. Breakfast, walk around, Brunch, gamble, Lunch, Gamble, Drinks & snacks, gamble, Dinner, show & Pizza at midnight. Enough to fill 20 stoma bags. BURP! Not a good Osteomate diet. ...

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Jro3

Weird?

Aug 28, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024

I had always wondered what it would be like to go to a nudist resort. I loved and miss the feeling of being naked. A dream come true would be a long hike in nature without clothes. Having a double ostomy made me give up on this dream. With the recent heat, I've come to really miss the feeling of not having anything stuck on me. Two bags in the heat are not the most comfortable thing in the wor ...

16 replies | 427 views

Aug 29, 2024

Sorry jo.. u had me at flashed the girls.

Sep 08, 2024

I told my doctor the one thing I miss is being really naked.

It only happens when I take a naked shower and the few minutes before I put a new pouch on.

She told me, "Yup, it is those simple t ...

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Bees

When to switch to high output bags at night?

Feb 08, 2022 - Oct 22, 2024

Question: Does anyone with an ileostomy use high output bags only at night for sleeping but regular size during the day? If so, how does that work? Do you discard the day or night bag each evening or morning? That would seem like a waste. Or do you rinse them out for reuse the next day?
I have to empty my bag 6-8 times a day, which I don't consider high output nor unmanageable. But getting up ...

21 replies | 1627 views

Jul 03, 2024

Hey Bees,
I use a night bag every night so that I don't have to get up to empty my pouch. Been using it for 8 years. I clean it out every morning with a mixture of vinegar and cheap mouthwash. I u ...

Oct 22, 2024

Hey Bees! I empty my bag very often during the day and night. It’s a thing with me I guess because my output is watery most of the time and I can’t stand the sloshing. lol! I’ve read about t ...

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eab3691

Finally Changed My Colostomy Bag by Myself

Sep 09, 2024 - Sep 10, 2024

When I got my colostomy bag in May, a worker had to come into my hospital room and show me how to change it. It was painful as I was still tender there, but my main issue was looking at my stoma without throwing up. I'm horrible at these things and up till now, my wife has changed my bags.
Knowing I need to do this myself, I changed it myself (I knew what to do as I've helped my wife change mi ...

21 replies | 367 views

Sep 10, 2024

eab.
Glad to hear you fought your fear and won! Cross this one off your bucket list... and if it wasn't on your bucket list, then add it... and then cross it off!
;O)

Sep 10, 2024

Great job evolving to being able to do it yourself. My first solo change took 45 minutes. Now I can do it in four :)

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JVM261

Handheld Bidet Sprayer - Tips for Cleaning and Installation

Mar 24, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024

I got this sprayer from Amazon to prepare for my reversal. However, in the meantime, I find that it really works great for cleaning out the bag. You just put very little pressure on the part of the sprayer that makes the water come out. Full pressure is too strong. Gently fill the bag up with water. Close it up and slosh it around and gently, carefully empty it into the toilet. It has been hel ...

14 replies | 916 views

Mar 28, 2024

I use women's douche bottles, keep them washed and clean by the toilet, works great!

Oct 05, 2024

Terrific idea. Molto bene.

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Advertisement

4-Point Checklist For Returning To Work After Ostomy Surgery

Hollister

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Check out our 4 necessities before getting back on the job, and our other workplace tips.

rlevineia

My Stoma Emptying Device for Travel and Everyday Use

Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024

I put together a great stoma emptying device. Works great in my car, hiking, and flying. You all have seen this jar. As a patient, I have two. Hollister disposal bags fit perfectly. I shoved a few extra bags in the bottom. All you need are wipes for the pouch and hands.
Note the red circle. I drilled two tiny holes on either side with my Dremel, so the bag expands in the jar. Hope IGGIE reads ...

27 replies | 632 views

Sep 18, 2024

Port-a-Johns are bathrooms and probably the easiest thing anyone with an ostomy can empty into. So, you'd empty in your SUV, risk making a mess in there, and then go dispose of it in the Port-a-Jo ...

Sep 18, 2024

I just take the boat to the dock, walk up to the bathroom and go. Then, go back out on the boat. I don’t take my dog in a boat. ‍

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ratmother

Recovery Time from Robotic Colectomy for Remote Workers?

Apr 30, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024

Howdy! I'm new here and tried a search for this topic but didn't find what I was looking for, so apologies if this has been covered. I don't have a surgery date yet, but should have one scheduled within a couple of weeks. I work remotely, and I'm curious about other folks who've had a colectomy and only have to “commute” to their home office to work from a computer each day. Did you all ha ...

6 replies | 718 views

May 03, 2024

Hello fellow Kansas Citian. I had a robotic colectomy. Of course, depending upon your work, 2-4 weeks should be fine. Working remotely, it might be sooner. That is assuming you do not have post-op ...

Oct 26, 2024

Hi, gentlejohn! I'm sorry for the late reply, but for some reason I missed this!
You were just about right. I went back to work half days two weeks after my first surgery and, other than getting C ...

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Rodr24

Facing My Upcoming Colon Reversal Surgery

Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 16, 2024

I'm beside myself with excitement and anticipation. And I have a whole new level of respect for my digestive system.

My first colon resection was emergency surgery. I was sitting at home in major pain when the fever started, after a few hours I drove to the ER to learn that one of my diverticuli had burst. I lost about 8" with that one, but was successfully reconnected.

My second colon res ...

8 replies | 272 views

Sep 16, 2024

Congrats, Rod!! Keep us posted as to how things go once you're back home and on the mend. We're all rooting for you!

M

xo

Sep 16, 2024

Congrats Rod! You got this!

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FernL

How did you solve proctitis after Ostomy?

Jul 23, 2024 - Nov 03, 2024

Hi everyone,

I had my ileostomy 10 weeks ago and unfortunately I’m still getting rectal bleeding from the UC which prompted the surgery - it’s not huge amounts but several times per day. I know this happens for some people. However, I’m not keen on further surgeries - I’m satisfied with my bag and in an ideal world, I’d be keen to keep my rectum. For those of you who had ongoing i ...

18 replies | 407 views

Nov 02, 2024

I totally get where you're coming from; after my surgery, I also experienced some bleeding, which was really frustrating. For me, it took a bit of time to find my rhythm, but keeping a food diary ...

Nov 03, 2024

Yep definitely lucky , I guess age and being fit and healthy, I got myself in the best condition I could before hand

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harry113

2023-2024 Ostomy Supplies Catalog by Edgepark

Sep 16, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024

Edgepark produces a 2023-2024 "Ostomy Supplies" catalog that lists and shows photos of all the products that Hollister, Coloplast, Convatec, and New Hope make, along with the ordering numbers, descriptions, and sizes of everything. It's been a great help to me. I got my copy from a Stoma Nurse.

3 replies | 216 views

Sep 17, 2024

would you be able to post the link here?

Thank you

Sep 20, 2024

Hey Clara,

Here's the link to the main catalogue:

https://view.publitas.com/collection/edgepark-ostomy-catalog/page/1

M

xo

see all replies

Beachboy

The Fortune Teller's Curse... Finis

Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024

A cautionary tale. Told in many parts, like the old-time movie serials. You have to click on "Forum" at the top of the website. Then "Discussion Forum." Then choose "Social talk" and all the parts will be shown.

Sidney awoke in a warm comfortable bed, a little sore from the softness. Staring at the ceiling, he tried to make sense of where he was, and what the heck had happened. One minute he ...

2 replies | 106 views

Oct 04, 2024

BB

A second career, hey...

Sharing your talents - again
Waves

J

Oct 04, 2024

Thanks Jayne,

I thought I'd conjure up a tale about envy. Sidney wanted what Horatio had. But didn't think about all the hassle, hustle, and bustle required to attain and maintain that lifesty ...

bagbill

Impressed by Halo's New Stoma Guard Product

Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024

I recently tried a new stoma guard product from a company called Halo. I bought it on Amazon and was so impressed with it I wrote the review below. I thought I would post it here as well. As I noted, they took a really good idea and made it even better.
I have been a StomaDome user for over ten years. This product was revolutionary for me in that it allowed me to wear all the same cloth ...

2 replies | 302 views

Sep 22, 2024

Bagger, thanks for the info. My stoma is a bit too high up for that to work as it should, but maybe others will find it useful. Very easy to make if you have a 3D printer, and you can add belt lo ...

Sep 22, 2024

There is a similar product that I have used using a belt. Protection Shield for Stomas does not require the velcro attachment of the dome but does similar protection with a belt. https://stoma-p ...

Littlefish

Osto-Ring Study

Mar 07, 2024 - Nov 03, 2024

Has anyone participated in the Osto-Ring study? I believe it is related to the Hollister 2pc pouch.

7 replies | 610 views

Nov 01, 2024

I would like the info on the study please.

Nov 03, 2024

Hi Fur,
Here's the info I got... not sure if this trial is still ongoing or what, but I'll include the email address of the person who sent me this info!
;O)
Hello Bob,
Thank you for reaching out ...

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Little Red

Relief for Itching Under Barrier

Feb 28, 2019 - Sep 19, 2024

I think this is the question I have. After changing my pouch and several days later, my skin next to my stoma and around and under the barrier starts to itch and becomes irritated. Someone mentioned that they used calamine lotion and then stoma powder. Has anyone else used this and would it cause the pouch to not stick?

1

39 replies | 8551 views

Jun 12, 2019

Sharon,
So glad you have that all figured out and not in pain anymore! Never had that happen, yet! Knock on wood! I know where to come if it does though! Lol
Puppy

Sep 19, 2024

If you use stoma powder on sore skin, the steps should be: cleanse with water, dry, apply stoma powder, brush away excess, dab on an alcohol-free skin protectant, let dry. You will see the white o ...

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