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New colostomy: I'm a little lost and have questions

Posted by dgroves0430 @dgroves0430, Jul 18 9:24pm

So I just got my colostomy, I'm still trying to deal with my feelings about it, but a few of my concerns are i like hot baths and hot tubs, and I really like the idea of scented tablets or spray for my bag. Does anyone have any good suggestions on what to get and where to get these from? I'm a little lost on it. Also I was looking into caps (preferably snap on) for my stoma just to hide it/ be out of the way for intimate activities. So I was hoping someone had advice on that.

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Profile picture for Susan F, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Susan F, Volunteer Mentor | @susanf8 | Jul 20 8:55pm
In reply to @pez01 "@dgroves0430 I use a Coloplast closed end disposable bags and I love it. I have bad..." + (show)
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@dgroves0430 I use a Coloplast closed end disposable bags and I love it. I have bad arthritis in my hands and I never felt clean with drainable bag I also think my skin stays in better condition changing and caring for stoma everyday I use cottenelle wet wipes and then wash with warm water I try to keep my dauly routine as simple as possible

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@pez01 do you use the cottonelle wipes on your skin when you change your appliance, or some other time?

Are you using a one piece and changing the appliance when you dispose of the bag, or a two piece?

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pez01 | @pez01 | Jul 20 10:51pm
In reply to @susanf8 "@pez01 do you use the cottonelle wipes on your skin when you change your appliance, or..." + (show)
Profile picture for Susan F, Volunteer Mentor @susanf8

@pez01 do you use the cottonelle wipes on your skin when you change your appliance, or some other time?

Are you using a one piece and changing the appliance when you dispose of the bag, or a two piece?

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@susanf8 I use the wipes on my stoma and skin prior to washing with warm water I use a one piece closed end so I dispose of entire appliance each time I change it

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Mentor
Susan F, Volunteer Mentor | @susanf8 | Jul 21 10:26am
In reply to @pez01 "@susanf8 I use the wipes on my stoma and skin prior to washing with warm water..." + (show)
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@susanf8 I use the wipes on my stoma and skin prior to washing with warm water I use a one piece closed end so I dispose of entire appliance each time I change it

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@pez01 thank you. As an ileostomates, close end pouches aren't something that works for me, so I was curious.

The wipes have a little oil in them (I think), but you don't find that it impacts the adhesive?

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pez01 | @pez01 | Jul 21 12:35pm
In reply to @susanf8 "@pez01 thank you. As an ileostomates, close end pouches aren't something that works for me, so..." + (show)
Profile picture for Susan F, Volunteer Mentor @susanf8

@pez01 thank you. As an ileostomates, close end pouches aren't something that works for me, so I was curious.

The wipes have a little oil in them (I think), but you don't find that it impacts the adhesive?

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@susanf8 I havent seen anything about oil in wipes I use them every time I change but i do wash stoma and skin area with warm water I have never had a problem with my pouch not sticking

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dgroves0430 | @dgroves0430 | Jul 21 5:05pm
In reply to @calinski420 "Did you have a lot of swelling? So far I've only tried the drain type bag...." + (show)
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Did you have a lot of swelling? So far I've only tried the drain type bag. I don't think I'll ever get this!

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@calinski420 yeah I literally just got mine last week so a lot of swelling. I changed the whole system more often in the hospital to try and get three hang of it before I went home. I'm clumsy and it's hard at first but I'm getting better, I just know it's easier for me to use disposable instead of the draining ones lol. I have had a so many trials and errors with those

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dgroves0430 | @dgroves0430 | Jul 21 5:10pm
In reply to @pez01 "@dgroves0430 I do mix products as I found what works for me. I tried every ring..." + (show)
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@dgroves0430 I do mix products as I found what works for me. I tried every ring and found none really worked for me so I dont use them. I love the skin tac after someone recommended it, I found I did not need to use skin barriers or glue removers The skin tac washes off with warm water. I do take hot bths so I soak my stoma quite often I will use skin barriers only when I go out not at home After two years and trying a lot of products I find the less I do the better off I am Just ask for samples tiill you find what works I also do buy Ostomy disposal bags on Amazon They are black and zip lock closed

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@pez01 awesome. Yeah, I feel like at home the more simple the better. Right now I've just started on the products they gave me at the hospital, but i did order the little disposable bags to put my bags in so the trash isn't unpleasant, plus I have animals so I got a small bathroom trash with a lid. I'm glad the companies are willing to send samples. I feel like that will help with having options.

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calinski420 | @calinski420 | Jul 21 5:23pm
In reply to @pez01 "an afterthought I use precut ostomy bags since I have bad arthritis i hands and cannot..." + (show)
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an afterthought I use precut ostomy bags since I have bad arthritis i hands and cannot cut my own Yes my stoma did shink but it was just a matter maybe 4 months and its been stable since

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01 thank you so much!

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calinski420 | @calinski420 | Jul 21 5:24pm
In reply to @calinski420 "01 thank you so much!" + (show)
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01 thank you so much!

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@calinski420 whats the brand name of the precut bags?

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Mentor
Susan F, Volunteer Mentor | @susanf8 | Jul 21 7:33pm
In reply to @calinski420 "@calinski420 whats the brand name of the precut bags?" + (show)
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@calinski420 whats the brand name of the precut bags?

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@calinski420 All of the manufacturers make precut appliances. So if you have one that is working for you, you should be able to get it in precut. However, it sounds like you got your colostomy recently? If so, the swelling may still be going down, and the stoma getting smaller. It's important not to have an opening that's too big. It can also be helpful to have a WOCN measure you so you get the right size. How long ago was your surgery?

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dgroves0430 | @dgroves0430 | Jul 21 10:04pm
In reply to @susanf8 "@calinski420 All of the manufacturers make precut appliances. So if you have one that is working..." + (show)
Profile picture for Susan F, Volunteer Mentor @susanf8

@calinski420 All of the manufacturers make precut appliances. So if you have one that is working for you, you should be able to get it in precut. However, it sounds like you got your colostomy recently? If so, the swelling may still be going down, and the stoma getting smaller. It's important not to have an opening that's too big. It can also be helpful to have a WOCN measure you so you get the right size. How long ago was your surgery?

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@susanf8 I just got my surgery last week, so it's definitely still swollen, if their stuff is precut I'll just stick with what I have until it's at the measurements are going to be. I assume maybe a month or 2? My stoma nurse gave me the measuring kit and the stuff to cut it to fit it for now. I know it will change sizes for awhile I just want sure how long most people's take. And I want to put together a little kit to take with me places just in case. Right now I know my body isn't on a normal out put schedule, so I just want to be prepared for when I'm able to go out.

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