Ostomy Topics

Is a bit of output getting under the inside edge of a ring considered a leak? Or is the ring absorbing stuff sitting against your skin considered a leak?
I get a bit around the inside edge under the ring, by the time I remove my bags. It only once made it all the way to the outside of the ring.
Looking for clarification. Thanks!

Has anyone else had this problem of a granuloma on your stoma? I have one at the edge that gets irritated and bleeds because the skin barrier/flange seems to rub against it. I've read that they can be treated with silver nitrate, but here's the issue: My primary doc knows zero about a colostomy. The surgeon who did my surgery (2.5 years ago) left the group and moved out of state, and since I'm ...

So any tips on how to clean area on wafer around stoma when just changing the bag? My stool is soft so often ends up mushed around the stoma and of course odor is still there even with bag change.

Hi, I have had my ostomy for over ten years now, and I haven't had a successful relationship since. I'm not dating at all for over a year now after being rejected by the last man I was interested in. I irrigate, so I'm able to hide it pretty well with shapewear or a corset, so intimacy is not an issue. It's that I have the condition, and when I irrigate, which is once or twice a week, it's mes ...

My husband had a complete removal of his colon 30 years ago. He lived life very well with the Koch Pouch. However, a few years ago, there was big stomach/bowel/whatever pain, and scopes and tests revealed a stricture either in the pouch or near it. He underwent surgery to create an ostomy and external bag, supposedly bypassing or at least not using the Koch Pouch. It really has been a nightmar ...

I had an ostomy 4 years ago. Difficult but no problem until the last few days when I seem to be constipated. What should I take to get my plumbing working again?

Hi, I am planned to have proctectomy surgery in about 2 weeks, due to severe diversion proctitis, after having a subtotal colectomy 8 months ago.
I have read a lot, but it's always good to ask again: what are your experiences, any advice, and anything you think is good to plan or think about?
I have spoken to my surgeon and other IBD communities.
I think I'm as prepared as can be, but it's gre ...

Hiya,
I have had my ileostomy since 2012, and 5 major ops later I'm still here. It has been very difficult the last few years because I kept getting blockages and my doctors/surgeons told me, "Don't be so ridiculous, that cannot happen." Anyway, in the end they admitted they were wrong and I was told that because of all the adhesions plus stoma hernias, I have to live on a liquid-only diet.
It ...

Hi! Does anyone who's on Medicare use both extender strips (to secure and support wafer at outer edge) and also a barrier ring (to prevent leaks)? I've been using both for quite a while, ordering the Medicare allowed limit of both each month. But in August, my supplier suddenly tells me that Medicare won't cover them both simultaneously "because they both serve the same purpose" (which they do ...

Ahoy, ostomateys! (Has anyone made that joke before?)
Oh boy, my first post! Hi all! My ileostomy, Charlie, was born on January 5 and is doing very well! He rapidly shrank once I got home but seems to be settling at 1 inch. He's very active and my output is very thick. I've been dealing with a lot of discomfort and paranoia about leaks due to constant pancaking. Currently, from the suggestion ...

I've had my ileostomy for 3 years today! I haven't been one of the lucky ones whose quality of life has improved. I've suffered from severe rectal pain since weeks after my surgery. I've been told it's scar tissue, a few other diagnoses to see if one stuck. To me, this stinks; my health has deteriorated, malnutrition, malabsorption, hair's falling out, teeth are bad… I've tried everything an ...

I had my ileostomy reversed on Feb 7, 2024. Since then, I have had massive diarrhea along with two episodes of severe pain and vomiting. The first time it happened, I ended up being admitted to the hospital. My CT showed dilated loops of small bowel but no obstruction. They gave me laxatives, and after I had incontinence with diarrhea, I felt much better. Yesterday, the same thing happened. I ...

Going to have my bladder/prostate removed in a few days and wondering how people wear backpacks with a bag. Trying to plan a hike up Pikes Peak next year but worried about how the hip belt will fit.

Hi - has anyone experienced skin problems after having used Coloplast products successfully for many years? If so, what was the solution?
Many thanks,

I had a reversal about a year ago. Wondering if there are any exercises I can do to get my stomach back to the way it was before. I have a small amount of pain like a pulled muscle pain. Dr. said it will just take time to get back to normal. Just don't like the feeling like something is wrong all the time because of the pulled feeling. Thanks in advance, Jim.