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Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy
Ostomy | Last Active: Mar 24 1:09pm | Replies (419)Comment receiving replies
Glad I got some ostomy training before surgery and before I left hospital.
Home health came yesterday for the first time. She wanted to see stoma. Came unprepared without any supplies. She was not up to date on any techniques like crusting, using that ring and didn’t measure to cut the wafer. I called the head of the home health and told them I want a more experienced Home health nurse. Are medicaire supplies the same for every state? She also told me I was allowed only 4 bags and wafers a month. I live in rural Mississippi and had been told different number by the ostomy Clinic . Really I just want their supplies and as an old nurse I can do better than them. IMO
Replies to "Glad I got some ostomy training before surgery and before I left hospital. Home health came..."
Ditto! Medicare and Health Net allow me to receive
a 3 month supply of bags, pouches, rings, lubricants, cleaning supplies, and anything else I want to try as long as my wound care/ostomy nurse and PCP Doctor approve.
I see ostomy nurse for appt on Wednesday. And I will get this straight. How much does the average person lose with a new colostomy? Madge
I lost quite a bit of weight after my surgery, but I was in rehab and had other issues. The food was not the best and then I was sent to another rehab. This new place worked with me to see what I was able to eat and even went to the grocery store to get food for me, so I could gain weight. When I left there I had gained back most of the weight I had lost at the other place. I still do not weigh what I once did, but my clothes fit and no one says I look thin, just I look healthy, so I must be doing something right. The average person, if there is such thing, depending on the surgery, how sick you were before the surgery, or how long it takes to find out what foods the body can tolerate, it may be months or years to gain your weight back, if you ever do or want to. I feel that if I am healthy and the doctor is happy, then I am happy.Good luck, mlmcg
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4 bags! That means you get to clean your stoma only once a week, and never leave your house or have visitors 4 days a week. Hopefully, you don't have diarrhea. There is nothing worst than having a doctor or nurse who have no idea what to do. I receive a three month supply of bags, rings, lubricants, cleaning supplies, and just about anything else I, or my wound/ostomy nurse, want to try. It does not matter where you live or the insurance you have, you should have the supplies you need and/or want to try. I was assigned a "new" wound/ostomy nurse and I feel I knew more than he did, so I asked my PCP to refer me to another hospital. I now have an experienced wound/ostomy nurse and if she has to put in a request to get me more supplies she does. Keep detailed notes on what you ate, how many times you emptied your bag, etc. You will have enough information so you should get more supplies. Unfortunately you may have to fight for every single bag you can get. The bags I use come 10 to a box.Good luck, mlmcg