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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

My surgery for rectal cancer is scheduled for October 9, and I will emerge from surgery with an ostomy. Naturally, I have a lot of questions and my learning curve will be very steep. But, my immediate question is about clothing to wear with an ostomy. I would like to go shopping before the surgery if possible, but I'm not sure about what to buy. My typical work attire is khakis and a button-do ...

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.

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!

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 ...

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?

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

I'm 3 weeks post-Ileostomy. Trouble with leaking under wafer at base of stoma. I think I'm cutting the wafer to fit closely and using the putty-like ring. And making sure wafer sticks well. Any suggestions?

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 ...

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 ...

I had emergency surgery in May (bad diverticulitis) and now have a colostomy bag. I'm adjusting to it, but it's hard. My main issue is changing my bag out myself. My wife has been changing my bag (she used to work with patients in the healthcare field) because I get sick looking at my stoma. I get queasy and just sick looking at it.
Is there anything I can do to get over looking at it so I can ...

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.

Hi, I am 75 and 3 months post-ileostomy surgery. I also have a mucus fistula. I was in the hospital for 6 weeks prior to my operation as I was very ill, having had a bowel perforation, and they wanted to build me up before the operation.
I am still so very tired. I am getting out a little, walking, driving a short distance, having friends over for an afternoon, and even been out for brunch wit ...

Does anyone wear their ostomy outside their clothing with a cover or inside their clothing? I wear mine inside my clothing. Just wondering what works for people.

I switched from one seal manufacturer, Brava, to Eakin early this summer 2024. I recommended both in my profile, which I'm likely going to update.
I am joining the growing percentage of people on here who toss the Eakin to the trash due to skin irritation.
I thought the Eakin was perfect. Soft, moldable, leak preventive worth. Since starting using it, I noticed redness developing until this mo ...

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!

Hello everyone, it is nice to meet you all! It has been three weeks since my colostomy was installed. I started out with a Hollister two-piece system while in the hospital and for the most part have had pretty good luck with their equipment - no leaks, some pancaking, and 4 to 5 days between equipment changing. But that being said, I am not very fond of Hollister bags. They make so much noise ...

In prior years, I have always donated my surplus supplies to my ET nurse. She told me this morning that they are no longer allowed to accept them due to a FDA ruling. She said that I could donate them to the American Cancer Society. So if people are looking for supplies you might want to call your local ACS to see if they have them available.