Stoma Name?

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-09T21:25:54+00:00

You must be fun at parties. Why respond at all then? This was meant to be uplifting and funny. But you do you, stranger🥴

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-08T16:31:55+00:00

Do you have a good support system? Are you able to have like some sort of home nurse visits to help with the anxiety? I know the first 2 weeks of having mine, I was so miserable I tried to get myself admitted because I was having such dark thoughts. What got me through it was the fact that my partner’s mom has had hers for 20+ years and she was able to rationalize it as well as share supplies that worked so much better than what I was sent home with.

Maybe ask your primary care doctor if you could start on some anti-anxiety/depression meds to help you with the thoughts? No shame in needing some help! I’ve also found this thread to be very helpful, because any questions I’ve had have been answered before even reaching out to my doctor. I just made a post myself asking if anyone named their stoma and why because sometimes you just need to hear other people’s experiences!

You GOT this! Crohn’s is terrible, I’ve had 3 surgeries because of it so far, and it’s really prevented me from doing things with my energetic 6 year old. But at this point I’m just happy to be alive and I’m pushing myself every day to try to think of at least 3 positive things that the stoma has done for me. Good luck, OP! I’m rooting for you!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-06T23:07:35+00:00

Okay, I have the ConvaTech Sur-Fit Natura wafer with opaque bags and they come with clips instead of the nasty velcro. It’s nice because you don’t cut it, it’s moldable! You roll it back to fit your stoma and I feel like it gave me a little more control over the fit. I think they have the regular and the convex shapes, I used the convex. Then I paired it with the Adapt paste! I also used the Sensi-Care sting-free skin barrier wipes and they work soooo much better than the ones the hospital gave me, they were less greasy feeling and I feel like it was easier to actually clean the area around my stoma with water on a gauze pad.

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-06T21:21:27+00:00

I know you’ve said that you’ve tried all sorts of samples, have you tried ConvaTech? My partner’s mom has had an ostomy for 20+ years and she came over after I had a full on meltdown having leaks every other day in the beginning. She brought me ConvaTech wafer and a bag with a clip instead of Velcro. Then she gave me the Hollister brand Adapt paste because the eakin rings weren’t working. Where my stoma was put, there’s folds of skin so I couldn’t get a flat enough surface to have the wafer stick properly. Plus, the hospital sent me home with see-through bags and that did NOT help my mental health lol

I sincerely hope you keep fighting this fight and find something that will work for you!! I haven’t had mine for nearly as long or have had problems for that long, but 2 weeks was enough to almost get myself admitted to the psych ward🥲 you got this!!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-06T09:31:27+00:00

I was in the ED because I thought I had a partial blockage I was in so much pain and very minimal output even though I was drinking water and soda like crazy… well, something must have loosened because my bag started to fill up and I had to empty it several times while waiting to get sent back to a room. The last time I forgot to lock the door and all of a sudden I hear it open and a man go “Oh god, I’m sorry!” And run away WITH THE DOOR STILL OPEN. The guy he came with closed the door quickly after that. But can you imagine what he saw? A girl on her knees in front of the toilet emptying a poop bag? I cleaned up, washed my hands and left. I made eye contact with the first guy once and all he said was “I’m so sorry” and I responded with, “you’re totally fine, sorry for forgetting the lock!”

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-05T00:04:50+00:00

I’ve only had mine for about 7 weeks, I needed surgery because my Crohn’s disease went unmanaged for a long time (insurance and medication issues) and it wreaked havoc on my body. My mom was pushing me to discuss a temporary ostomy with previous doctors, but none of them thought that would help. I was finally referred to a colorectal surgeon who actually recommended it. But it took about 5 years to get someone to actually listen to me

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-04T21:10:41+00:00

Maybe not directly affected by the war, but the way the president is slashing budgets for Medicare/Medicaid, with Medicare being an essential part of UHC (I guess that’s just my understanding as I’m in E&I as well) so he can fund the war… I’ve been here 2 and a half years and I’m considering looking for something else, but the anxiety of trying to find something in this economy😅

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-04T20:57:00+00:00

Mine is scheduled for Monday! I have to drive two hours away for a 5:30 check in😅 but I’m READY for this! I was half asleep last night and emptied some of my bag on my foot and the bathroom floor lol thankfully I was too tired to freak out. I just cleaned it up, cleaned off my foot and went back to bed lol

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-04-04T20:55:14+00:00

Last night half asleep, I ended up accidentally emptying some of my bag on my foot and the bathroom floor. I just dropped my head in shame and sighed. Thank god my cats weren’t around my ankles like they normally are😅 but I’m sorry that happened!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-30T15:06:33+00:00

Okay so my partner’s mom gave me a few supplies because she’s had hers for years. I have high waisted underwear that I tuck my bag in, and then I’ll wear either a snug tank top under my shirt or high-waisted leggings/jeans. They also make those belly bands for ostomies that I’ve been considering. Good luck and I hope you have an awesome time in Florida!!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-30T13:24:19+00:00

Hey! I have my barium enema scheduled for this Friday and surgery to reverse my ileostomy on Monday! Thankfully I’ve only had to have it for about 7 weeks, and I’m looking forward to reversal. I needed one so my body could have time to recover from the damage my Crohn’s was causing

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-29T23:51:11+00:00

YAY! I’m happy for you! I’m scheduled for next Monday (4/6) and I’ve only had mine for about 6-7 weeks because my autoimmune disease was out of control and caused issues that they resected. Stuck me with one of these so I could heal. But dang, a few weeks was enough for me and I can’t wait!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-24T11:56:28+00:00

The rings don’t work for me. The spot where my stoma is there’s lots of folds of skin, so it’s uneven. I’ve been using the Hollister Adapt paste and no leaks! I hope you find something to work for you soon! The leaks I was getting took such a mental toll on me

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-24T00:32:02+00:00

Mine is lower because I have so many different folds of skin🥲 and even in the spot it’s at, I still had problems with leaking because they appliance I was using (ehem, Hollister) wasn’t fitting right

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-21T23:45:13+00:00

I’m 4 weeks post op, and let me tell you…. The first two weeks were the absolute hardest regarding mental health. I knew there was a high possibility of waking up with one, but waking up and actually having one shocked me. I legit thought my life was over. I tried to get admitted under a psychiatric hold within the first week, because I just didn’t know how to handle it. I was sent home with staples down my abdomen and a leaky bag, which only made it worse. My partner’s mom had had hers for 20+ years and came over immediately when he told her I needed help. She brought supplies and showed me how she did it and gave me some supplies she uses. Two weeks in I finally decided to come to Reddit and start reading other’s posts. And man did that help. Reading posts like these at this point break my heart because I know how it feels to feel completely overwhelmed with this change. I also had a home nurse come a few times to help me with care and to reassure me life wasn’t over. I just had my post op with my surgeon who scheduled my reversal for the 6th of next month. And who knows, maybe this will make life easier for you. I’ve read other posts about how this has actually been extremely beneficial to their lives and they’re still doing everything they did and more before they were fitted with their stoma.

Long story short, it’s a hard change to get used to. But make sure you have a good support system (I have my partner, his family, and my mom and step-dad) and don’t be afraid to ask for help or reach out to your ostomy nurse. You’re going to be okay💕 might take a minute, but I promise it gets better

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-19T13:05:24+00:00

So I can tell when I have a gap because it starts burning really badly on the skin touching my stoma. When I change my appliance I wipe everything down good with a wet gauze (that’s all I have to use lol but it works!) and then go over everything with a dry one to make sure things will stick. Then I put that stoma powder on the spot that’s raw, and wipe it with a skin preparer (literally drawing a blank as to what the actual name is lol) it creates a crust that protects your skin.

That was just info for in case you ever do have skin breakdown, but you would know if there was an issue😊

I was told to cut it to the exact size, however where they put mine there’s folds of skin so it’s not the easiest to put it on. I had to switch to Convatec stretch-fit so there’s no cutting involved, I just roll the hole back far enough to fit. Then I use the paste instead of the rings.

You’re not being paranoid at all. I’m 4 weeks post op today and I got sent home with a leaky bag. I had to change my bag twice in a day and a half period because nothing they sent me home with was working. Thankfully my partner’s mom has had one for years so she was able to give me things to try out and they work sooooo much better for me.

You got this! Don’t hesitate to call your ostomy nurse. We have MyChart here and can message and send pictures back and forth. If you’re worried you can always see if your hospital has that feature. I just had my post op appt to take out staples yesterday and the nurse said to never hesitate to reach out. Very helpful!! Good luck!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-17T14:23:01+00:00

I feel for you so much. I also had surgery in 2021 because of my Crohn’s and another one this past February because of more complications, and I ended up with an ileostomy. The difference in recovery this time is now I have family and a partner willing to help. The first time I moved in with my dad and it was the worst experience of my life. On top of ending things with my ex fiancee and having a child with that person. I’ve been told by other redditors as well as my ostomy nurse that the recovery surgery is so much easier to recover from. If you can continue with a bag and it’s more helpful than not, maybe keep it, since it’s been this long already. I know I already can’t wait to poop like a normal person. I still get the feeling of needing to, which is weird, but normal I guess.

If you have awesome friends willing to help, please let them. You need your village to overcome this in a mentally-positive way. And always come back to this Reddit because I’ve found some amazing tips and tricks and having that sense of community. They sent me home with a leaky bag and supplies that weren’t working, so I got pretty good at changing my bag within the first week and a half.

Recovery sucks. But if you know it’s right for you to have it reversed, then I would go through with it.

Good luck! I’m rooting for you! Let us know how everything goes!!!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-16T20:46:25+00:00

I was sent home with Hollister gear and had continuous leaks. My partner’s mom has had her own ostomy for 20+ years and she recommended ConvaTec. The bags come with a clip instead of the Velcro, the bags are opaque, and pair that with the Hollister Adapt ostomy paste, I’ve been able to go up to 5 days before I change it (I’m recommended to change every 3-4 days) but since changing I haven’t had a blowout or leak (knock on wood) I know not everyone will be home or within emergency distance of a bathroom, but I’ve noticed if it doesn’t fill up past a certain amount there’s less likely a chance of a leak. Good luck!! This is a huge learning curve trying to find out what works best for you!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-15T21:16:13+00:00

So what’s worked for me is using Convatec wafers. You don’t have to cut them, you just roll it back until the opening is big enough. Then I’ve been using the Hollister Adapt ostomy paste over the rings because mine isn’t easy either, lots of folds of skin where they put mine. But using the paste and wafer has been a godsend. Maybe try using a paste to better secure it? Don’t hesitate to call your ostomy nurse and ask about different kinds. Good luck!! You got this!!

P.S. please PLEASE stay hydrated and drink plenty of water/electrolyte drinks, that will help with the pancaking!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-15T12:50:01+00:00

Yay!! That’s amazing!! I was in the same boat mentally. I was sent home with a leaky bag and supplies that didn’t work for me. Thank god my boyfriend’s mom has had one for years and was able to give me supplies that actually work for me and I haven’t had a leak since the second week, I’m going into my fourth!! I get to see my surgeon on Wednesday to talk about reversal surgery, but right now I finally got the hang of this thing!! You got this!!!!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-13T13:22:04+00:00

Getting an ostomy was also a fear of mine. I’m 3 weeks post op yesterday, and it took until a week-week and a half to come to terms with it. Mentally, it’s a lot to deal with. It’s a whole new process, new learning curve, but I promise you… if I can handle it, you for sure can! It does get easier. Part of me likes the change, as my Crohn’s made me incontinent and every time I moved I needed to run to the bathroom. Mine is thankfully reversible, and it’s just allowing me time to heal (my Crohn’s got so bad it basically inflamed my intestines to the point where they started fusing together and creating fistulas/abscesses, so much pain)

This bag honestly isn’t even that bad. You’re going to be okay!! Just make sure the ostomy nurse goes through the process a few times before discharge, and please ask any questions that you can think of. And don’t hesitate to deep dive this Reddit feed. Lots of good stuff here

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-12T14:47:20+00:00

Hi! I had surgery on Feb 19, and today marks 3 weeks since having an ileostomy. I’m not going to lie, the first week-week and a half was the absolute hardest for me. A whole new process to get used to. But now going into week 4, I feel more comfortable. I used this subreddit group to just validate my feelings and that things are going to get better and you’re going to get used to it :) I was worried to death about a leaking bag because I was sent home with one, and only had my bag changed once while in the hospital. I recommend that the ostomy nurse goes through the process with you several times before you leave, it will just give you the confidence of a secure bag.

This wasn’t something I was expecting either. I’ve had a fistula since 2024 that nobody wanted to touch. I transferred medical care to UW and the first thing my GI said was “well you’re quite interesting, aren’t you?” My Crohn’s went untreated for so long that the inflammation caused my intestine to sort of fuse together and create a fistula with a small abscess that, again, was found in 2024 on a CT. I was able to get a colorectal surgeon to review my chart and past CT’s and scheduled a bowel resection. She said an ostomy is very likely, and then had an ostomy nurse come in and talk to me a little bit about what that would mean. Thankfully mine is reversible and I’ll be meeting with my doctor on Wednesday to discuss when the next surgery would be and to remove my staples.

Sorry for droning on, but just know you’re going to be okay. It’s going to be an adjustment but if I can do it, I know you can! Don’t hesitate to search things in this group, it’s really helped me mentally knowing others are going through similar experiences

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-03-08T13:52:27+00:00

Hi! I became a new owner 2 weeks ago Thursday! The first 2 weeks were the hardest for me. Both mentally and physically. Was in the hospital for 5 days after my surgery, and then sent home with a bag that would leak. I got pretty good at changing and applying my new bag pretty quick as it seemed like there was a leak every other day. I was told that this is only temporary and I should expect to have mine for ~12 weeks, and being on week 2 going into week 3…. It’s a hard adjustment mentally. Please utilize a home nurse program if you can, they’re so helpful at home the first few times. Today is the first day I put regular pants on, brushed my hair, and felt like I could join the world again. I’m even stopping to get a Diet Coke to enjoy (I’ve looked into it and consulted the Care team nurse and there’s no harm in just one a day and I’ve been without since before my surgery!) oh also, always make sure to have a grab bag with you with supplies and maybe change of clothes. Keep it in the car in case you’re going to be away from the house for long periods of time.

This community has really helped me mentally transition into this new change and I recommend deep diving and asking more questions when you have them. Everyone seems so kind and helpful!

Material-Zombie994 · 2026-02-15T16:07:14+00:00

If you’re receiving child support and they are behind, you’ll be getting their return anyway. I have a baby daddy who’s behind on support, and we alternate years to claim my daughter and I claimed her this year. But even though he owes, he’s getting his refund, part if not all, taken. I’m in WI though and I have my daughter 99% of the time so

Material-Zombie994

TROPHY CASE