Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

Colleen: I am a 79 year old male and relative new with my ileostomy appliance. I may have to have for the rest of my life, just don't know at this time. I am 6' 5" tall and was not able to reach the inside of a toilet while sitting, so I had to figure something else, I found flushable dog poop bags and a cup that will accomadate the bag, then I either hang the cup around my neck so it fits the bottom of my pouch or place the cup on something solid and discharge my pouch, then flush all. I can also sit on a toilet, depost into the pouch and flush the bag, have not plugged up a toilet yet, At home I use medical table that adjusts up and down, on the table I place a plastic container and adjust all to fit the bottom of pouch, then simple make my deposit, clean out the container and move on. Would all this information is there anything you have learned over the years that would help me? Thanks, Terry

Colleen: I am a 79 year old male and relative new with my ileostomy appliance. I may have to have for the rest of my life, just don't know at this time. I am 6' 5" tall and was not able to reach the inside of a toilet while sitting, so I had to figure something else, I found flushable dog poop bags and a cup that will accomadate the bag, then I either hang the cup around my neck so it fits the bottom of my pouch or place the cup on something solid and discharge my pouch, then flush all. I can also sit on a toilet, depost into the pouch and flush the bag, have not plugged up a toilet yet, At home I use medical table that adjusts up and down, on the table I place a plastic container and adjust all to fit the bottom of pouch, then simple make my deposit, clean out the container and move on. Would all this information is there anything you have learned over the years that would help me? Thanks, Terry

You might also wish to see these discussions and blog posts:

- Swimming with ostomy: Any recommendations?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/swimming-with-ostomy/
- Swimming Melted the Brava ostomy protective seal
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/melted-bravo-protective-seal/
- Exercising with an ostomy
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/ostomy/newsfeed-post/exercising-with-an-ostomy/
- Swimming with an Ostomy
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/ostomy/newsfeed-post/swimming-with-an-ostomy/
- Patient Story: Traveling the World
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/ostomy/newsfeed-post/patient-story-traveling-the-world/
When will you get your ostomy?

Thank you for your reply. Are you able to swim and maintain good seal? If so what supplier do you use? Online or in store purchase? Trying to prepare mentally and financially

I had my total colectomy 57 years ago. You should have no limitations
You will be able to swim as much as you desire. There are no restrictions.
Some foods you eat take longer to digest. For example, when I eat my bowl of oatmeal with blueberries, apples, almond butter and sesame seeds in it every day, which has a lot of fiber, it will take 3-4 hours to digest through my system. You just have to experiment what foods work their way through your system more than others. Additionally, one has a large amount of small intestines, so its not like what you consume goes through your system immediately.

Vitamin D is absorbed in the SMALL intestines, as are the majority of nutrients. In fact, the main function of the LARGE intestines is to absorb water and electrolytes. The only vitamin you may need to supplement via a monthly injection (and you can give this to yourself at home) is B-12, as B12 is absorbed in the ilium, which you may have removed with an ileostomy.

I cannot stress enough the importance of staying hydrated. I learned the hard way. When I was working, I was drinking too much coffee and not enough water and that caught up with me over 55 ;years when my kidneys failed due to chronic mild dehydration. I was lucky enough to get a kidney transplant 1.5 years ago. So, drink more than the amount required of a person who has not undergone this surgery. I drink 2.5 -3 liters per day with electrolytes in it. With an ileostomy you lose a lot of your body's electrolytes.

Wow- 3 liters of water you must drink non stop? Scary and sorry to hear you lost a kidney.
Does the bag stay on if in the pool an hour or more? I love to swim and that would be life changing to give up. I am sure suppliers tell you it works just want to know from someone who really swims with ostomy the truth. And I have super sensitive skin, could never tolerate any adhesives. Always need to wrap wounds with Ace & bandages. So not sure if I’d tolerate a bag adhesive. It’s giving me nightmares as I’ve had sling breakdown with any bandages