Ostomy Topics

I had my ileostomy 33 years ago and my rectum was left intact, I now am having major problems with mucus leaking from the stump, this has been happening for the past year and is really troublesome. My doctor said that you can not stop mucus forming and there is nothing that can be done.

Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution short of having the rectum sewn up which I gather is ...

Looking for adhesive remover wipes (on Amazon) and thought I would try the Convatec brand. While scrolling through, I saw the photo of the young lady and child on a beach. Well, I would LOVE to conduct a poll and see how many people run around in public with their bag out, flopping unsecured in the breeze. I am confused. This young lady may or may not be an ostomate. If she is an ostomate, why ...

Hey, I'm 6 weeks after a colostomy surgery. 3 weeks after the operation, I started having cramps after everything I eat. Did anyone have that reaction by any chance?

I'm going to add a picture to this. It was taken two years after I had ostomy surgery. I had permanent ileostomy surgery and total colectomy over 12 years ago. I posted it on Facebook showing folks that an ostomy is not obvious, even in a swimsuit depending on the swimsuit. I got off of disability and resumed work as a wound ostomy nurse twice. I frequently tell my patients about many famous p ...

As a recent 12-week newbie to ileostomy life, I was told no baths, just showers.
Does anyone bathe? And also, does anyone shower bag-free?

Good evening,
Probably a silly question but, how long did it take for you experienced osteomates to get the hang of confidently cutting and positioning your bag please?
Am 3 weeks post op so appreciate it hasn't been long, but as an experienced health care professional, and someone who wanted for a very long time to get to where I am now, I am struggling and every time I struggle it knocks my ...

I have filled out lots of job applications in the last 6 months.
Every time I come to the question on an application, "Do you have a disability?" I wondered if an ileostomy counts in today's world?

I have had my ileostomy for seven years, and today I had a first during bag change. Everything was as usual at first after the bag was removed. My morning banana from four and a half hours ago had started coming through, as usual. Three or four times of that, then doing the cleaning, when suddenly, a fountain of liquid output started shooting straight up. This went on for at least twenty minut ...

Coloplast elastic barrier strips #
120700 saved the day. I cannot stress how important it is using these "C" halves, plus a belt.
Let's face it, a morning blowout just isn't the right way to start your day. The poo clearly bypassed the O-ring under the skin and sought refuge under the ring at the strip end, waiting... waiting for an already ballooned bag to pop.
Oh, the thought of chaos now di ...

As some of you may know, I've been on a waiting list for a colostomy since August. I hadn't heard anything, so I thought I would ring the secretaries. Apparently, I am not on the waiting list. My letter to add me is on the system from August, but it was never dealt with. I now have to wait for the letter to be signed off by my consultant before I am added to the list.
Sorry, just needed to moan.

I'm having a reversal soon and am interested in experiences others have had. I'm also having a large hernia taken down at the same time. Is this something anyone has also experienced?
Thank you.

Hi everyone! I read somewhere that hernias are very common for ostomates. I'm currently waiting to see the doc (gotta wait on that dang referral) but I have a bulge right above my stoma. First time the doc saw it (it was about 2 months ago) he said it was not a hernia and I was not worried about it and now I sent pics and he said it might be a hernia. The bulge has gotten bigger and my stoma g ...

I had an ileostomy placed in 2021 and since then, my 15-year relationship has ended. I'm now comfortable enough with my physical condition to start dating again but having some trouble getting started. I'm thinking that looking to meet a woman with an ostomy also may be a good idea because we already have at least one thing in common, lol. I'm kind of shy at first, so any input on how to get o ...

I've had my ileostomy for nearly 20 years. I've only used a flange and drainable pouch.
Can someone explain the usefulness of using a belt?

Well, it's been 10 years since I had my stoma surgery, and it's been quite a journey. When I first learned that I needed a stoma, I was devastated. I held onto the hope of a reversal, but unfortunately, it wasn't possible. That was over six years ago, and while it's been an emotional rollercoaster, I've learned to accept it to the point where I don't even think about it.
If you've recently bee ...