Ostomy Topics

Those following my recent thread about irritated stoma skin will know the logic behind this request.
Eakin seals made a mess of the skin around the stoma. A perfect red circle. You heard of ring around the collar? This is rind around the stoma. ‍.
I tried an appliance change last
week, going without protective
spray or barrier ring. To my surprise, I got 1-2 days wear time.
Even with dry irr ...

Dr. connected the rectum to the colon on October 12. He took down the colostomy and created an ileostomy. He said he did it to allow the colon and rectum to heal thoroughly. I am tentatively scheduled for reconnection after 3 months (possibly January/February). If no reconnection occurs, what are my options?

Today is my 10-year ostomy anniversary. I have long avoided serious consideration of reversal surgery because it's difficult to imagine my quality of life being more comfortable than it is today with a bag. I am left with a rectal stump to deal with, however, and it feels overdue for a decision. I don't presently have any issues but it has atrophied and narrowed last I had it examined 2 years ...

I haven’t been on this site for a long time and am okay with my ostomy bag until recently. It has been about 2-1/2 years since my surgery but now I am going to the bathroom both in my bag and normally through the rectum which is still in place. Is this unusual? It’s almost like diarrhea and not just mucous. Should I worry? I feel great, no pains or anything.

October 26th will be the 1-year anniversary of my life-saving surgery. To celebrate, meditate, reflect, and process this milestone, I am heading to a cabin called The Little House that sits on the side of a mountain in Marshall, NC. The mountains are my healing place. And no place is finer, in my opinion, than the mountains of North Carolina.
I've adapted, accepted, and grown with my colostomy ...

When you have a bubble, you're going to have trouble.
This is the start of what's called "pancaking," where output just collects around the stoma area and doesn't drain to the bottom of the bag, especially after standing.

The next stage is a bubble that will form, growing increasingly larger and putting sideways pressure on one's ring or paste adhesive, and forcing output under it, causi ...

This is a neat trick list to assist others with.

Please share something cool and like "Wow" that greatly assists your life with an otosmy.
For instance if one is using paste (no sting paste better) and have leak burns and difficulty getting the paste to attach. Is to use antibacterial liquid soap (only) in the shower. Nothing else and dry off. Then use a blow dryer to get the skin very d ...

Hi, I have been lurking here for a bit but am trying to be more brave and reach out. I’ve been having a very difficult time living life with an ileostomy. I am hoping maybe I can find people here to talk to and ask questions that can relate with all this.

Look forward to hopefully chatting soon!

I have shopped wraps
Specifically made for ostomates and could never justify spending 50 to 70$ CAD for such ugly and ungainly products.
I tried maternity shirt extenders. No go for me. I am 5'8" and 120 lbs and no matter what size I got they were just too tight. I tried bandeau bras but they were too narrow...
I am here with a new solution!!
Tube tops!! 'Tis the season and they're everywh ...

Hello all, I know someone else posted about this same topic (30Bob?), but I think it's worth repeating. I just got a new batch of pouches a few weeks ago and started on my first box. I use the Hollister 8958 one-piece, with Velcro closure. The first one was fine, no issues. The second and third ones both developed a separation right at the tail of the pouch, where the last part of the opening ...

Hello all! I'm new to the site and to this colostomy life. I'm just over 4 weeks out from my surgery. I had rectal cancer, went through chemo and radiation, but they still needed to do surgery to remove things and here I am. My colostomy is permanent. I feel like my recovery is going pretty well. I've got my bag emptying and changes down pretty decently. I have a few questions and hoping my fe ...

I am told in 5 months I can have the surgery to reconnect my colon. Any tips how to make sure it happens or to speed it up?

Hi all,
Last Wednesday, I began my first experience with Norovirus with an ostomy. I have zero colon bits, and it was a whole new level of hell. I had at least ten full bags of water come out of me, plus vomit, and that was day 1 alone. It's day four, and my bags are sticky even though I've started eating; I still seem to be dehydrated.
I thought with no colon I'd be good to work in a couple o ...

Hi All,

I am not new to having an ileostomy, have had one for about 10 years, and a j-pouch for 20 before that. I am retired now and would like to travel but am really afraid of getting sick or having a blockage while travelling. Have you ever worried about those things, and what do you do to assuage your fears? I feel like my fears are getting in the way of me leading a full and active li ...

How do you use the odor eliminator drops? Can you squirt the drops in the bag after you empty it every time or just once when you put a new bag on?