New colostomy

@dgroves0430 I also like hot baths. I don't do anything special with my ostomy - just fill the tub with water and get in. I like to use bubble bath, or bath salts, but be aware that bath oil may compromise the adhesive of you appliance, so you might want to stay away from that (unless you plan to do a change right after of course!). Once you see how your appliance does in a bathtub you'll have more confidence for a hot tub. You might notice some lifting on the edges of your appliance from a prolonged soak, if you do, you can always use tape to "picture frame" the appliance.

Of course wait until your medical team clears you for sitting in water (not usually the best thing to do with new incisions).

What are you after with scented tablets or spray? Do you want to deodorize the contents of your bag, or have something pleasant smelling on the outside? There are a variety of deodorizers on the market, and you can find them at medical supply companies (which is where you would probably be ordering your appliances). Things like Holister M9 drops, Brava Lubricating Deodorant, or Adapt Lubricating Deodorant are options. Another one is to put an Altoid peppermint into your bag (WOCN suggested). If you want something to smell pleasant on the outside I think that some scented spray might work? Or scented powder.

Depending on what brand you have, there should be a stoma cap that works with your appliance, and again, you can order these where you order your appliances. There are also wraps that cover the bag, if that is a preference. Ostomysecrets have intimacy wraps, and you can find these at a variety of places (including Etsy).

What other concerns do you have?

Thank you so much, that info was incredibly helpful! I've honestly just been looking through things that might help my bag smell pleasant. Maybe to others, but def for me, I use the M9 drops (they have me a take home kit in the hospital) I don't know how much they helped. I'm still really clumsy with changing, I think I've decided the disposable ones are more appropriate because I have a colostomy and the drainable ones are really hard for me to be okay with because I don't feel clean after and they don't feel like they handle a more formed load. I've gotten some of the extender tape, some viva paper towels to help clean and dry, scented trash liners, a separate metal trash can with a lid for the bathroom (Partially to not have that all out in the bathroom and partially because we have animals that get into things), and some disposable bags to put the ostomy bags in. I want to put together a supply travel or emergency kit. I'm just kind of planning ahead now because I think it helps me feel in more control. I also want to reach out to different companies to try different systems to see what I like best.

@dgroves0430 I'm not sure if they still do it but the ostomy appliance companies used to send you an nice little travel kit when you got samples and told them you had a new ostomy. But you can get any kind of pouch, to be honest.

It's very common to think your ostomy smells. I have my spouse do a "sniff check" and he can never smell me, so that is reassuring.

Bathroom spray deodorizer is a good option, and there are small sizes you can get for travel.

https://www.ostomy101.com/ is a vendor neutral resource that has been mentioned. I haven't explored it a lot but it looks like it has good information.

Convatec has a post ostomy surgery exercise program that I think has really good value.
You have to sign up, but there is a 3 stage post surgical fitness program that was developed by a physical therapist who wound up with a ostomy .
https://www.convatec.com/ostomy-care/meplus-patient-support/

@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

@pez01 thank you so much for the advice. I have cottonelle wipes, I just wasn't sure if it was something I could use but that's a great option. I'm definitely going to look into those bags, I've heard good things about the brand. Did you get the whole system or just the bags, I wasn't sure if anything is interchangeable or not? I know the hospital gave me hollister.

New to ostmy. Surgery 7-1. Mine 8s quite large. I'm being told that it's swollen and it takes a good bit before it goes down. Hav8ng trouble changing the bag because of it. Do you all change the bag yourself without any help?

@calinski420 I'm very new to it as well. I've had help with it while at the hospital. But I've had it for a week now, I'm a little bit better at changing the disposable bags than the draining/ re-usable ones. My stoma nurse walked me through changing the whole system before, and twice after surgery. The nurses have helped me daily but the last couple of times I've done it on my own. Definitely, if you haven't already, consult with a stoma nurse, they're huge helps. But I'm definitely still a little clumsy at it, I have to charge the whole system after a shower until I get better at it.

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!

@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

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