Friends, Romans, Colostomates
1. It is a well done colostomy, above the waistline and to the left of my Belly Button
2. It sticks out ~one inch
3. I am comfortable looking at it, emptying the bag, and cleaning the stoma
Currently using Hollister two piece with drainable pouch.
Questions:
1. How often do change your pouch, not counting the wafer?
2. Do you clean/rinse the pouch when you empty it?
3. How long before I can sit in a proper chair?
Thanks,
Comments
-
hiunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
i clean my pouch every time i use it if i am home. i take it off to do so. it makes it much easier for me. when i am out i use a water bottle to spray water in the bottom. and not worry about it. i change the bag every 2 days. no problems sitting as i did not have surgery in that area. good luck. tess0 -
Must be the surgery drainunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
But sitting is not an option yet.
My Ostomy nurse comes today, and I think I may be ready to discuss the disposable bags, as well as the moldable wafers from Convatec.
Went to see the surgeon's PA yesterday, and the car ride was enough to make me confess to the McKinley assassination! I expect the next trip I will explain my role in the case of Archduke Ferdinand! Bottom line is too much fluid of the wrong color to free me from the squeeze ball.0 -
meant to saytesslee said:hi
i clean my pouch every time i use it if i am home. i take it off to do so. it makes it much easier for me. when i am out i use a water bottle to spray water in the bottom. and not worry about it. i change the bag every 2 days. no problems sitting as i did not have surgery in that area. good luck. tess
every time i empty it.0 -
Buck -
I probably already gave this link to you, but if not, here it is again:
United Ostomy Associations of America
Not too many there, have ostomies due to cancer. But an
ostomy is an ostomy and the reasons for it really don't matter.
Not everything you read there is correct, but there's a wealth of
information for anyone with an ostomy of any type.
Good luck!
John0 -
HEY BUCK!
Hi Buck,
I use the coloplast sensura flex 2 piece system. a wafer can last 4-5 days I have the disposable bags but also use the drainables if I'm staying home for a few days like weekends or chemo treatment days 3 days every two weeks. Useing the drainables saves alot one pouch every two days, typicaly I go through 3-4 disposables a day and they get quite expensive. My insurance only covers $750.00/yr towards ostomy supplies.
Everyone seems to heal at there own pace but it took me a good 3 months before i could sit on my butt, Its been since sept 22nd for me and I still have a fair amount of pain. I use a bed pillow to drive with. One reason for this could have been the severe radiation damage I had prior to surgery. Lots of damaged tissue inside and out.
I'm sending you some positive vibes to heal quickly, Feel free to ask anything.
Tom0 -
Buck........John23 said:Buck -
I probably already gave this link to you, but if not, here it is again:
United Ostomy Associations of America
Not too many there, have ostomies due to cancer. But an
ostomy is an ostomy and the reasons for it really don't matter.
Not everything you read there is correct, but there's a wealth of
information for anyone with an ostomy of any type.
Good luck!
John
Questions:
1. How often do change your pouch, not counting the wafer?
2. Do you clean/rinse the pouch when you empty it?
3. How long before I can sit in a proper chair?
Answer to #1..........
First off, I use Hollister brand type wafers and pouches....wafers can be cut to fit or you cut them yourself to fit stoma size, they have a caliper to check your size you can order them precut (extra $12 for 4 boxes) and they do have vents for gas...# 14603
I use the Hollister brand type pouches #18373 and they are disposable, non drainable. I tried the drainable....nope not for me.....
I also use ALLCARE adhesive remover to take my wafers off. Simply wipe it on the adhesive approx 3 minutes before I get in the shower and it makes it a lot easier to get off without the pulling as bad.....Hollister has that as well.....
I have these and would be more than happy to send ya a (kit) just so you could try em and see how ya like em...
I change the wafer every other night,,,I change the bag whenever the vent stops up (bag starts to balloon) or whenever it gets 1/3 full. Usually on a normal day I change it twice. Once in the morning after coffee ( normal dump time) and then before I go to bed.
Answer to #2........
No, I throw mine away...I never got use to cleaning them........
Answer to #3......
No chittin aside' ( yep pun intended) it took me close to 5 weeks before I could sit sideways in a chair, and that wasn't but for 10 minutes or so...A real soft fluffy pillow will help but it just won't be comfortable enough to let ya just squat down for any length of time.......8 weeks and you should be able to sit with a little discomfort but sit nonetheless in an upright position...
and Buck, one more thing, I still to this day watch myself when I climb into my boat, all I need is to fall and straddle it, im not sure what would happen but I sure don't wanna find out so if ya ride horses, and I am guessing because of the hat and nickname and the background on the avatar, then you may want to take up another hobby....Thats gonna be out for quite a while.....Sorry bud, it is what it is.....
If you would like for me to send ya a kit with wafers, pouches, and some adhesive remover so ya can try em just pm me your address and I'll send em out today........
Anything else just ask......while ya lay down a pillow placed to where it will lift your azz just a hair off the bed will feel great...It will take the pressure away from the azz. Just try and place it right where the legs connect to tha azz. People in pain figure this out real quick.....Now is the time where ya gotta let the body take care of itself in its own time.....it will let ya know when its ready.......Best to ya my friend, Buzz0 -
I used the one pieceBuckwirth said:Must be the surgery drain
But sitting is not an option yet.
My Ostomy nurse comes today, and I think I may be ready to discuss the disposable bags, as well as the moldable wafers from Convatec.
Went to see the surgeon's PA yesterday, and the car ride was enough to make me confess to the McKinley assassination! I expect the next trip I will explain my role in the case of Archduke Ferdinand! Bottom line is too much fluid of the wrong color to free me from the squeeze ball.
I used the one piece disposable bags. I was on a 2 piece, clamp at the bottom one, with a wafer and paste to keep it from leaking. For several months then the stoma nurse at Mayo just let it slip that I should try the one piece. WOW what a difference it made for me. No more splashing messes! I changed it whenever, usually several times a day. Just peeled off, in a bag it went (tied up and in the garbage in no time) new, clean bag on in minutes. For me, I just felt better, more clean I guess. I believe insurance paid for 3 changes a day.0 -
My experience
I had similar surgery. I found that it helped to sit on a bed pillow. I also found it easier to sit on just one 'cheek' as it took the stress of the closed up area.
I use a similar pouching system that you do. I was told by the ostomy nurse that the time to change the pouch was up to me. I don't find it necessary to change it any more often than the wafer.
I did try rinsing out the pouch when I emptied it. I think it has more to do with your sensibilities than with medical need. I would probably opt for chaning it rather than rinsing it if cost was not a consideration.
There are a lot of different appliances out there. Consider your life style and your regularity. That will help you determine if you want to stick with the drainable for a while or move to the closed pouch.
You can go on to the Hollister or other major supplier sites, some will let you 'order' samples to try out at no charge. Gives you a chance to see what works best.
Glad you are doing well with your 'new normal'. Hope you can get that drain out soon.
Remember, lots of protein will help speed up the healing inside and out.
Marie who loves kitties0 -
Don't recall sitting up much at all for first month after op;Lovekitties said:My experience
I had similar surgery. I found that it helped to sit on a bed pillow. I also found it easier to sit on just one 'cheek' as it took the stress of the closed up area.
I use a similar pouching system that you do. I was told by the ostomy nurse that the time to change the pouch was up to me. I don't find it necessary to change it any more often than the wafer.
I did try rinsing out the pouch when I emptied it. I think it has more to do with your sensibilities than with medical need. I would probably opt for chaning it rather than rinsing it if cost was not a consideration.
There are a lot of different appliances out there. Consider your life style and your regularity. That will help you determine if you want to stick with the drainable for a while or move to the closed pouch.
You can go on to the Hollister or other major supplier sites, some will let you 'order' samples to try out at no charge. Gives you a chance to see what works best.
Glad you are doing well with your 'new normal'. Hope you can get that drain out soon.
Remember, lots of protein will help speed up the healing inside and out.
Marie who loves kitties
took me about a month before I went for a walk ouside and that was for maybe seven minutes....When I started to try to sit on sewn up ****,I used a stopwatch so every time I tried to sit for a longer period of time; did the same thing when trying to walk again(in apartment only for first few weeks )
After a few weeks, check the size (diameter) of your stoma again as it generally shrinks after a month or so, meaning you'll have to adjust size you cut in wafer.
I use ConvaTec 2 piece only cos thats what hospital used and I've kept this type since. I keep wafer on as long as practical, depending on nature of load and adhesiveness of glue ; pouch I change as needed, depending also on whether or not I'm going outside as I let it fill up more if I'm not going anywhere before I change it......
Took me quite a while for pain to be more endurable, for discomfort/difficulty getting comfortable to subside, ability to sit,drive and walk to resume with minimal pain.......
My style of attire adapted as well, as I now wear only draw string or elastic-wasted pants as bag hangs over them and lengthy,loose Tshirts and shirts,etc
Before you know it, you're living life again........steve0 -
I use the Holister 2-piececoloCan said:Don't recall sitting up much at all for first month after op;
took me about a month before I went for a walk ouside and that was for maybe seven minutes....When I started to try to sit on sewn up ****,I used a stopwatch so every time I tried to sit for a longer period of time; did the same thing when trying to walk again(in apartment only for first few weeks )
After a few weeks, check the size (diameter) of your stoma again as it generally shrinks after a month or so, meaning you'll have to adjust size you cut in wafer.
I use ConvaTec 2 piece only cos thats what hospital used and I've kept this type since. I keep wafer on as long as practical, depending on nature of load and adhesiveness of glue ; pouch I change as needed, depending also on whether or not I'm going outside as I let it fill up more if I'm not going anywhere before I change it......
Took me quite a while for pain to be more endurable, for discomfort/difficulty getting comfortable to subside, ability to sit,drive and walk to resume with minimal pain.......
My style of attire adapted as well, as I now wear only draw string or elastic-wasted pants as bag hangs over them and lengthy,loose Tshirts and shirts,etc
Before you know it, you're living life again........steve
I use the Holister 2-piece disposable ones primarily.(Ins allows 2 bags a day) Can get 5 days easy out of a wafer if I use a seal with it also. When at Home for extended periods I do use the drainable pouches (good for 2-3 days ea)
If its warm out I rinse those out with a waterhose outside.
Use a pillow to sit on, sometimes you have to lean to one side a little.0 -
Thanks Buzz!Buzzard said:Buck........
Questions:
1. How often do change your pouch, not counting the wafer?
2. Do you clean/rinse the pouch when you empty it?
3. How long before I can sit in a proper chair?
Answer to #1..........
First off, I use Hollister brand type wafers and pouches....wafers can be cut to fit or you cut them yourself to fit stoma size, they have a caliper to check your size you can order them precut (extra $12 for 4 boxes) and they do have vents for gas...# 14603
I use the Hollister brand type pouches #18373 and they are disposable, non drainable. I tried the drainable....nope not for me.....
I also use ALLCARE adhesive remover to take my wafers off. Simply wipe it on the adhesive approx 3 minutes before I get in the shower and it makes it a lot easier to get off without the pulling as bad.....Hollister has that as well.....
I have these and would be more than happy to send ya a (kit) just so you could try em and see how ya like em...
I change the wafer every other night,,,I change the bag whenever the vent stops up (bag starts to balloon) or whenever it gets 1/3 full. Usually on a normal day I change it twice. Once in the morning after coffee ( normal dump time) and then before I go to bed.
Answer to #2........
No, I throw mine away...I never got use to cleaning them........
Answer to #3......
No chittin aside' ( yep pun intended) it took me close to 5 weeks before I could sit sideways in a chair, and that wasn't but for 10 minutes or so...A real soft fluffy pillow will help but it just won't be comfortable enough to let ya just squat down for any length of time.......8 weeks and you should be able to sit with a little discomfort but sit nonetheless in an upright position...
and Buck, one more thing, I still to this day watch myself when I climb into my boat, all I need is to fall and straddle it, im not sure what would happen but I sure don't wanna find out so if ya ride horses, and I am guessing because of the hat and nickname and the background on the avatar, then you may want to take up another hobby....Thats gonna be out for quite a while.....Sorry bud, it is what it is.....
If you would like for me to send ya a kit with wafers, pouches, and some adhesive remover so ya can try em just pm me your address and I'll send em out today........
Anything else just ask......while ya lay down a pillow placed to where it will lift your azz just a hair off the bed will feel great...It will take the pressure away from the azz. Just try and place it right where the legs connect to tha azz. People in pain figure this out real quick.....Now is the time where ya gotta let the body take care of itself in its own time.....it will let ya know when its ready.......Best to ya my friend, Buzz
As always a very useful post!0 -
Hello buckwirth! Here in the
Hello buckwirth! Here in the Philippines we don't have medical insurance to cover for our ostomy supplies. Come to think of it no medical insurance for everything. I had my OR similar like yours last nov 2010 and it is only this week was I able to sit for long periods of time, but still not fully healed. For my bag, the convatek is the only one available here in our country. It's a sturdy and cost efficient bag. I use the 2 piece drainable type and clean it every time I have a poo usually 3-5 times a day. I had a plumber attached a small hose like shower in our toilet and it makes it very easy for me to clean my bag even my stoma daily since the water could reach and spray my stoma daily. I still haven't used a one piece type because it's very costly. The convatek bag usually lasts me 6-7 days. I was also able to use the hollister 2 piece bag since I have a brother living at Florida and sends me also supplies but only last 2-3 days because the flange is much thinner. The nice thing with hollister is it has filter so your bag won't ballon every time you fart. It would also be nice if you would try looking at the site of osteomysecrets because they have special underwear for colostomates and honestly it made life easier for me using it. Just keep on hanging there and it would take a while to adjust to the bag, even up to now there are times I feel so depressed just looking at my bag and had more serious issues with it than my cancer. I'm only45 years old and have 3 kids and must be one of the vainest woman in our town but cancer has robbed me of my vanity. I'm just happy I'm alive, being able to work and just bear with my chemo sessions. Take care and God bless you!0 -
djm.......djm_2010 said:Hello buckwirth! Here in the
Hello buckwirth! Here in the Philippines we don't have medical insurance to cover for our ostomy supplies. Come to think of it no medical insurance for everything. I had my OR similar like yours last nov 2010 and it is only this week was I able to sit for long periods of time, but still not fully healed. For my bag, the convatek is the only one available here in our country. It's a sturdy and cost efficient bag. I use the 2 piece drainable type and clean it every time I have a poo usually 3-5 times a day. I had a plumber attached a small hose like shower in our toilet and it makes it very easy for me to clean my bag even my stoma daily since the water could reach and spray my stoma daily. I still haven't used a one piece type because it's very costly. The convatek bag usually lasts me 6-7 days. I was also able to use the hollister 2 piece bag since I have a brother living at Florida and sends me also supplies but only last 2-3 days because the flange is much thinner. The nice thing with hollister is it has filter so your bag won't ballon every time you fart. It would also be nice if you would try looking at the site of osteomysecrets because they have special underwear for colostomates and honestly it made life easier for me using it. Just keep on hanging there and it would take a while to adjust to the bag, even up to now there are times I feel so depressed just looking at my bag and had more serious issues with it than my cancer. I'm only45 years old and have 3 kids and must be one of the vainest woman in our town but cancer has robbed me of my vanity. I'm just happy I'm alive, being able to work and just bear with my chemo sessions. Take care and God bless you!
I use a different type...Hollister wafer and a disposable bag but I have others that if you like I will send to you. Use what you want give the rest away or whatever you decide. If you want them simply PM me with your address and I will send them to you, or I can send them to your brother and he can get them to you in one of his mailings, whatever you like...Love and Hope for us all.......Buzz0 -
You too john23!John23 said:Buck -
I probably already gave this link to you, but if not, here it is again:
United Ostomy Associations of America
Not too many there, have ostomies due to cancer. But an
ostomy is an ostomy and the reasons for it really don't matter.
Not everything you read there is correct, but there's a wealth of
information for anyone with an ostomy of any type.
Good luck!
John
Thanks for the lengthy personal reply. It was a great help!0 -
Hello buzzard, thanks forBuzzard said:djm.......
I use a different type...Hollister wafer and a disposable bag but I have others that if you like I will send to you. Use what you want give the rest away or whatever you decide. If you want them simply PM me with your address and I will send them to you, or I can send them to your brother and he can get them to you in one of his mailings, whatever you like...Love and Hope for us all.......Buzz
Hello buzzard, thanks for your kindness. Steve also sent me some of his supplies that he was not able to use. I'm very thankful to all of you and he also sent it thru my brother in Florida. He will send it to me most probably nxt month. I plan not to use it for myself only because I have learned from some my suppliers here in the Philippines that those really poor and can't afford the colostomy bags use the caps of empty instant coffee as flanges and staple the trash bag directly to these cap and presto they have their self made colostomy bag. I was really shocked because they cut off these caps open so that's why they really smell when they poo. These people need these supplies more than I do. You can send it thru my brother I'll just PM you his address, I'll figure out first how to do it. Thanks so much! God Bless you! From Dina0 -
DJM,djm_2010 said:Hello buckwirth! Here in the
Hello buckwirth! Here in the Philippines we don't have medical insurance to cover for our ostomy supplies. Come to think of it no medical insurance for everything. I had my OR similar like yours last nov 2010 and it is only this week was I able to sit for long periods of time, but still not fully healed. For my bag, the convatek is the only one available here in our country. It's a sturdy and cost efficient bag. I use the 2 piece drainable type and clean it every time I have a poo usually 3-5 times a day. I had a plumber attached a small hose like shower in our toilet and it makes it very easy for me to clean my bag even my stoma daily since the water could reach and spray my stoma daily. I still haven't used a one piece type because it's very costly. The convatek bag usually lasts me 6-7 days. I was also able to use the hollister 2 piece bag since I have a brother living at Florida and sends me also supplies but only last 2-3 days because the flange is much thinner. The nice thing with hollister is it has filter so your bag won't ballon every time you fart. It would also be nice if you would try looking at the site of osteomysecrets because they have special underwear for colostomates and honestly it made life easier for me using it. Just keep on hanging there and it would take a while to adjust to the bag, even up to now there are times I feel so depressed just looking at my bag and had more serious issues with it than my cancer. I'm only45 years old and have 3 kids and must be one of the vainest woman in our town but cancer has robbed me of my vanity. I'm just happy I'm alive, being able to work and just bear with my chemo sessions. Take care and God bless you!
I too was the same in
DJM,
I too was the same in the way I felt about the ostomy, I could not let my husband touch me while I had the bag. So it is not being vain, it is being human. Ok, well I did allow himto get close to me a few times, but that is after I modified a pair of underwear so that the bag would be covered at all times.0 -
Khl8,khl8 said:DJM,
I too was the same in
DJM,
I too was the same in the way I felt about the ostomy, I could not let my husband touch me while I had the bag. So it is not being vain, it is being human. Ok, well I did allow himto get close to me a few times, but that is after I modified a pair of underwear so that the bag would be covered at all times.
Try buying the
Khl8,
Try buying the classic wrap or vixen wrap from and is designed for our special moments with our husbands at the ostomysecrets website. I've ordered mine there from my brother in Florida. It's good and will help you with your sex life. It covers the awful bag and flattens our tummy and definitely we would look sexier. You can use it when you have "you know what" with our hubby. I even use it with my daily clothes and makes me feel normal again. I still haven't had sex with my husband since my operation last nov 11. I'm also having my chemo up to June. Is it normal not to feel the urge, I'm afraid that I won't have that feeling again, I also feel sorry for my husband. I hope you can give me advice re this matter. Thank you so much and Godbless you!
From, dina0
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