- Ask for samples from all the medical supply companies. These companies will send you a bunch of different ostomy products to sample, this way you can figure out what works for you.
- Always carry a small bag of emergency supplies. You never know when you’ll need them and in case of an emergency, you’ll be glad you were able to change your bag.
- If you have a leak, don’t try and patch it with stoma paste. Take off the bag, clean your skin and stoma, and put on a new bag. You’ll thank me. It’s worth the extra five minutes because a patch job won’t help much and your skin will be irritated.
- ALWAYS empty your bag once it’s about 2/3rds full. You don’t want to find out what happens if you don’t. Eek.
- After surgery, you will slowly reintroduce food into your diet and see what works best for you. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor.
- I wear maternity bands that help keep the bag snug and prevents chaffing. It also helps me wear whatever I want without anyone knowing I have a colostomy.
- I always carry around Poo-Pourri to help mask the odor when I empty my bag. Don’t leave home without it.
- When it comes to swimming, I always empty my bag before and never go swimming with a new bag on without waiting for a few hours. It helps to give the adhesive time to really dry and set. I don’t use tape or anything else to help keep the bag on, but some people do. You can read more about my advice for swimming with an ostomy here.
- I always empty my bag before I go to bed and am able to sleep through the night without having to get up. I usually empty my bag as soon as I wake up, there’s always output from the night.
- When it comes to intimacy and sex, definitely empty your bag beforehand, you’ll be more comfortable.
- Don’t be afraid to talk about living with an ostomy with someone. You don’t have to be so public like I am, but there are resources out there for support. Below are a few good organizations that support patients with ostomies:
United Ostomy Association of America
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
