MISTAKES I MADE AFTER I GOT AN OSTOMY BAG

Hey Ya'll! I wanted to share 5 mistakes I made shortly after getting my ostomy bag. I hope these tips help you all not have the ostomy fails I did! What tips do you all have? Leave them in the comments below!
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*The owner of Ostomy Diaries does not claim to be a physician or healthcare provider. All opinions expressed on this channel, or web page are solely the opinion of an ostomy patient. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or have other health concerns please contact a medical doctor.

[@TwoTry]

I just got shot threw my legs and rectum recently on Memorial Day this year and just left the hospital about about a week and a half ago although they thought me everything at the hospital I came home with a lot of anxiety and worried especially when my fist pack of bags came to the house because I knew I was on my own now BUT I’ve been watching your videos since 4am this morning all day and they been very helpful and you kinda calmed my anxiety down seeing you change it step by step and handing out A-LOT of info threw your videos I gotten to be more comfortable with everything and feel informed enough to go threw this on my own THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THESE VIDEOS, YOUR SO HELPFUL And made this process easier Have a great rest of your day and I’m pretty sure you’ve helped me out and million more keep up the GREAT work !

[@iggie1439]

Amber you should come back and start doing your vids again. I find you the best at explaining things but its now 4 years on and things change. I would love to see some 2023 vids with your thoughts of today. You have a warmth in your voice and it makes me want to listen to you. Come back, we need you.

[@psn1758]

This reminds me of my first office visit after my surgery, and my Surgeon needed to remove some nacrotic tissue around my stoma. I was smart and remembered to bring extra ostomy supplies, but not clothes. Things were going good until my now naked stoma erupted like Old Faithful while laying on the exam table. I never knew something that little could shoot 💩 high enough to hit the ceiling, and then fall back down to earth landing on me, the table and the floor. Poor Doc turned around to put the new bag on, saw everything and said "Oh Crap" and I calmly responded " Yep, and it's mine!" After that I went home and faced the second shower of the day.

[@anakelly76512]

I sometimes have to change my bag in the shower. My stomach is 5/8" or 16 mm. It's tiny but it can shoot out stuff 5' across the room. I'm going to get a shower anyway so if it squirts in the tub, the water cleans it. Better in the tub that on the counters and walls. But, it's best to shower 1st in the morning when Lil' Stoma is resting since it hadn't eaten in around 8 hours.

[@didi012578]

​@anakelly8956 I'm a newbie, so this was helpful. Thank you.

[@Anne-fv6nc]

Omg, I’m 4 weeks post op and it still hurts to laugh 😂

[@anakelly76512]

If you need to empty, place a few layers of TP in the toilet. And, drop your output onto the TP. No splatter. Even if you're standing up to empty. If you use a little water to pour into your now empty bag, it will keep the inside cleaner. Unless you use lubricating drops. Cheese crackers and peanut butter crackers barely make output. They're great if you want a late night snack. White rice, white bread, white pasta and white potatoes barely make output as well. Eat some pumpkin. The pumpkin water and flesh help if you have either constipation or diarrhea. It encases your food in this pocket of gel. When output comes out of your bag, you won't have to clean it. With people who poop out of their butts, it will be a clean poop. Meaning you might not have to wipe at all. The bonus: no smell. Actually, my farts don't stink at all. I have no colon so I have to drink Gatorades. My body even wakes me up in the middle of night to drink. I have a cooler with ice packs beside me with a few bottles of Gatorades. But, if you drink a lot of fruit punch, don't be alarmed when see your output is red. Grape Gatorade: your poo will be a teal green color. Red Velvet cake and beets: your poo will be blood red. If you see that in the toilet, just remember that you ate something with food coloring. Eating Fruity Pebbles is a guessing game. 🤣

[@870annie]

Should drink powerade there is sodium and potassium in it gatoraade is just sugar

[@henryheatly1460]

Thank you for this. You will likely never completely know the gift you’ve given here. I am grateful.

[@FrancisDamaris]

My mom has an abdominal Non Hodgkins lymphoma, and she has a colostomy bag now. I found your channel and it's so useful to get used to her bag as I'm her primary care giver ... thank you so much

[@OstomyDiaries]

Thank you for letting me know it has helped you all. Blessing to you!

[@colinrees5967]

I had an ostomy bag fitted in March after suffering diverticulitus. I too had a few accidents !!! My top tip for sleeping', always fit a new bag before going to bed, I also use extra surgical type tape to secure around the flange and always wear a tightish tee shirt to bed.

[@OstomyDiaries]

Extra tape can be a big help!

[@barbaramalinowsky8687]

Hi Amber! I am so glad I found you, as I am going to have surgery, and thanks to you, I am not freaking out! You have given so much information, and have made it so much easier to face the changes that I am about to go through. Thank you so much, and God Bless you for sharing all that you have experienced……..

[@ildikoholicza2661]

Thank you for sharing! My mother in law just came home from the hospital and you are really helping me to understand and prevent unpleasant situation. ❤

[@karenhinkle7992]

I have been watching several of our videos and have learned a lot. My husband is 3 weeks out of surgery and has had a few problems and you have addressed them. I’m so thankful for your info. I know he has a long way to go but now we can eliminate some of the problems by listening to your suggestions. I will be watching more of your videos.....Thanks so much 💜💜

[@MiltonTheTortoise]

Hey Amber! Yup, you're so right. Definitely a good idea to go slow, over-prepare and be very conscious of what's going on in terms of food, fluids and exercise, certainly during the first six weeks post-surgery. The vitamin water tip (or water with electrolytes) is so important, especially in summer when it's hot out and easy to dehydrate. The one thing I found in the first six weeks (7 weeks on Monday) is don't over do the physical activities just because recovery is going better than expected. You know, pushing the effort too far just to prove it can be done. Oh boy, big mistake - huge mistake in my case! Long walk - round trip 3.5 miles to the outdoor mall and back home with no real break, in hot weather (plenty of fluids on hand) and ended up wiped out, exhausted, done for the day etc. Better in the first weeks to do 2-3 smaller challenges and increase moderately than go for one huge (and possibly risky) one, right! Keep those videos coming Ostomatey!

[@OstomyDiaries]

Exactly! I almost over did it and became dehydrated. Sometimes you just don't think. That's why I made this video. Thanks for watching!

[@Piltdownpaul]

Hi, that's all great advice, i'm totally with you with the roughage, i wanted to get back to eating more healthier once home, but my stoma nurses were dead against it. No salads or brown bread etc......thats not fair!!! I have recently tried brown bread and this seems okay so i'm taking it one step at a time. And the other thing i picked up on was eating late at night which i was a devil for doing before, the "midnight snack" you might say. Now i eat around 6 ish and no more until breakfast! Keep well. Paul.

[@OstomyDiaries]

😃

[@brendahighsmith1901]

Thank you for your videos the information really helps it makes me feel like I'm not the only one that's went through surgery my bladder was removed and also hysterectomy because of bladder cancer I still have some more treatment two removed to remove some cancer from my pelvis I like listening to your videos it's like talking face-to-face with a real person

[@LessStein]

Thanks for sharing. I'm on the 3rd day with the same supplies after emptying. This morning, the bog was NOT full. All of a sudden, while sitting at my computer, the contents in the bag just spilled out. For some unknown reason, the wheel disconnected it self. The supplies I get, every 3 months are not enough so I can change daily. I am NOT a happy camper.

[@anakelly76512]

I am severely allergic to adhesives and tapes so it really doesn't matter what I do to prevent leakage. The adhesive breaks my skin down making it harder for the adhesive on the wafer to stick properly making it easier for output to get on my skin. That breaks down my skin even worse. I became septic from my skin being so infected. I was put into a coma for a few days while they pumped me full of antibiotics. I have to wear Perma-Type. The face plate is made of semi hard rubber. So, it won't break down from the heat of your skin or if output touches it. And, I use the semi permanent vinyl bags. The face plate takes around 15 days to make. It is made specially for that person. You tell them the size of your stoma and if there are any dips or bulges so they can make the proper face plate. Now, my skin is almost healed. It's been a while since I was able to see the top layer of skin in that area. Sometime, my skin had been so irritated, it was a dark purple. And, the irritation can spread. It spread near my crotch, it was about 2" larger than my wafer. And, it spread under my right breast. Having a permanent non adhesive wafer made a huge difference. You could use their adhesives. Since I can't, I use their belts and bits of a Karaya washer. They're like Eakin Seals only these are softer, a dark brown and they heal irritated skin. A plus for wearing a perma-type: you can use lotions, scented baby wipes and body wash. Another bonus: you can shower any time of the day. All you have to do is dry off and put it back on. No prep necessary. You can shower with it on, too. The sun can't melt it either. Swim whenever you want.

[@FlyingTigress]

Peanuts. I made that mistake once... ONCE. I can attest to keeping spare ostomy supplies and a change of blue jeans in my office - as well as a pair of [adult] diapers if I get leakage around the flange - or, as happened the other day, the bags velcro seal came loose while I was sitting on the commode. I'm trying using paste AND a ring under a convex flange/wafer to minimize leakage around the surgery scar from removal of the sigmoid colon. Six more weeks and I get my ileostomy reversed. Yay! Not looking forward to the 3.5 hour flight to my care team's hospital (Anchorage, AK to Seattle, WA)

[@janethmanalo9293]

Hi...im one of your followers...i watched your vlogs...& Its what keeping me to go & always be positive about colostomy... i had it a year ago...the doctor had to cut it during operation and after knowing my situation..i feel down...sad..i feel awe to myself..like how can i work.... what's gonna happen to me.. what will i do with this...things like that....& watching your vlog gives me ideas on how i can cope up my situation & accept it....im still on the process of getting used to it ...but i know i had to really get used to it .so thank you for your vlogs...it helps so much...

[@OstomyDiaries]

You are so welcome. I’m so glad my videos help. Keep going. It gets better! 💜

[@TheLendyTexasGirl]

I had mine Sept 6th 21 and I'm still trying to cope.

[@shawnt7289]

You’re very upbeat and have great attitude

[@aubreyburleson5116]

I don't drink soda 4 to 5 hours before I sleep or anytime if having it filled with air will be a problem. I kept waking up in an explosion and missing a few school days and other events in the mornings because of this. Once I realized it was soda I cut it completely from my diet to see a difference and it worked now I can sip a soda a day and it won't be a problem.

[@sineadcunningham4302]

can you not try the two piece bags or the one that opens on the side to let the air out am still finding my way trying diff bags takes time thou good luck

[@aubreyburleson5116]

@@sineadcunningham4302 it won't matter which bags you use. Mine opens at the bottom but when I'm asleep I won't notice it get full of air until it's too late so I just avoid carbonated drinks

[@sineadcunningham4302]

@@aubreyburleson5116 yes it's happened to me to I try not to drink fizzy drinks but is so un fair but peppermint tea is meant to help with ballooning they call it

[@brandonguynn-mh6fc]

Thanks for the information

[@thewisepowerchair2369]

I was thinking, and please correct me if I am wrong, that when you have an ileostomy you have to eat for your small intestine; for example fibre would be for the Colon, so you would not eat fibre with an ileostomy.

[@janwerner2248]

Have you ever had seeping from the tape of the flange?

[@jillbecker8651]

I was never advised regarding diet when I had my surgery. I had problems for years until I figured out what I could eat..

[@TheLendyTexasGirl]

Yep, the hospital never told me anything either. Except how to change it.

[@wesselvanwyk1335]

@ Jill Becker - I don't know from which country you are but it seems to me that this is a global phenomenon. I am South African and they also told me nothing 2 years ago when I had my surgery. I was in the dark for weeks till I decided to do my own trials. I had an ostomy from removal of a part of my colon due to rectal cancer. So other than an ileostomy where the colon is removed totally and you have big problems with digestion of certain foods, you can play with trial and error where just a part of your colon was removed.. My biggest problem I had was to know which foods are high in fibre for example. I love my prickly pears and was warned by some people not to try it. The craving was too big and I bought me 12. The first day I ate 3 and skip one day without any negative effects. So on the third day I ate 4 and 5 on the fourth day - I was in heaven. The same with food like maize(corn) on the cob. Started with one and ended up with 3 or 4 - no problems! Touch wood!! I think in my case it all depends on how good I chew my food - I drink a lot of soft drinks, water coffee and even milk and I think this is the silver bullet!! I am using the products of Coloplast and must say that I am very lucky to be without blow-outs, leaks and even ballooning when the filter on the pouch is in good condition!! I only change the base plate once every 7 days with changes of only the pouches in between. Greetings to all stomats around the world and may God help you in accepting your "new" life style!! Always remember the stoma saved your life and for that you must be grateful.

[@clairedelune2011]

@@wesselvanwyk1335 i live in Argentina and also use Coloplast products. Never had a problem or leak. Diet however is important.

[@gigilala4440]

I’ve had a blow out. Horrible. Thank you for the info.

[@OstomyDiaries]

It can happen sometimes I hope this video helps you! 🤗

[@joseduranjr3152]

Girl, you said it!! I’m nursing my father because he will not touch poop!! At all!! You’d think after 3 months he would nurse his stoma by now. Nope! All great suggestions! Great job girlfriend

[@OstomyDiaries]

You are so sweet for helping him! He will come around. 😊😊 Thanks for watching friend!! 💜

[@jensutton7476]

Wow I would try to dig it out if I had two I get boo on my finger every time I try and go to washroom as most times I will have to dig it out with a finger to get it out of the small hole up my butt it's about a finger long up there but it dose get some of it out .....but now for the last few days I,ve been drinking and eating just the drink ensure and it comes out like water and I would rather go like water then not go at all as l,ve been through a lot if life and I can tell you there is not a thing to do to get the pain from being blocked up I went boo last night and I would say about 3to 4pounds of boo came out but I still don't understand or feel right it's not like I eat a lot one time of day maybe aa peanut butter sandwich so what you think am I still full of shit in me I even will try and not eat for days as I'm concerned about it and I'm scared to go this has my life way out of wack where I just want to give on life I see everyone around me doing fine but really you can,t just tell if someone else going threw this as not just anyone will say anything that's me I hide it from others so they really don't know what I'm going through and just by looking at them you can,t tell what they have and from just going on KZbin there is a hell of a lot more people than I thought thank you for hearing me out God bless

[@TUYETVU-bf7co]

Thanks for sharing

[@robertcolon4272]

I'm 6 years post OP Colostomy.... I made darn near all of those mistakes, too..... lol

[@josie5948]

Thank you for a great video

[@870annie]

Salut i live in quebec so winter can go to minus 40 and summer plus 40.. if i buy a isothermique bag to leave my supply in car will it work? U carry it in big bag? I dont even bring my purse inside store i leave it in the car so dont know what to do...

[@margueritelewis4198]

I did the same thing but my dinner was a big bowl of chili went to bed and woke up to chili explosion beans , and hamburger everywhere, I was up Cha ching my bed, myself,. I over ate watermelons, cantaloupe on a hot summer day my bag went into spraying output .

[@OstomyDiaries]

Oh no!! 😭😭

[@dejawalker117]

so i just had a reconstruction surgery which now leaves me with a colostomy bag i have not had since i was 5 so this is all new to me. my surgery was not too long ago (february 12). i got to work on rebuilding my weight from being in the hospital they have me on ensure drinks & i am on a regular diet. question tho, by roughage do you think i will be able to have a salad or is that not something easy to pass through the stoma?

[@63LindaLou]

I've had my ostomy bag for 3 months now and I was advised in the hospital not to eat salad or raw vegetables for at least 6 weeks. I'm eating salad now with no problems at all.

[@DavidPennable]

I had a temporary ostomy and a reversal, but even after so many years I still have body temperature regulating issues. Is it just me or is that common?

[@flowerpetals1396]

David, I recommend seeing a doctor about this. Better safe than sorry.

[@jacobawbrey4280]

are you glad you got the reversal?

[@JRvonP]

Love you.. i have diverticulits en the wanna operate on me... bun until nou i refused... but a nice girl like you kinda made it more norman to me tnx

[@fromthepenof...business1105]

Why does my bag keep busting?

[@timofai1]

Hi Amber, I'm going for surgery next week to get a colonoscopy bag. I have multiple sclerosis and only one arm Works efficiently so what do you suggest that would be the easiest equipment to use with one arm thank you, papa Bobby

[@dna2405]

Thank you! Had a small leak today at work. Nightmare! Wasn’t much at all. But thank god I had my backpack, taped it up. But I had to go home. I’ve also had that splash! With old man ankle high socks. Omg. I appreciate everyone that post so much!!🤍

[@carolynmannon6994]

How is it when you had to do a PREP for a colonoscopy? Any tips?

[@wesselvanwyk1335]

@Carolyn - this is the least of your worries. The hospital personnel will guide you perfectly and just do as they say. Strongs with the procedure.

[@blueandbanana]

Hi Amber. I am trying to help a loved one with getting a stoma bag. He needs the colostomy bag. Is the one piece or two piece better? What are the top 3 things an osty needs, please?

[@sineadcunningham4302]

hi am new to this had my op in January it was emergemy surgery my bag is on my right side am using hospital one at the min but I would really love to try new bags how do I go about finding out what suits and what size also are the dear to buy many thinks sinead

[@OstomyDiaries]

Most of the major ostomy brands will let you order free samples. You need to know the size of your stoma. They typically have a size chart on the website that lets you know which sample to order. 😊

[@sineadcunningham4302]

@@OstomyDiaries thk you very much xx

[@dimplechops88]

Your stoma nurse should recommend the best ones for you

[@TheLendyTexasGirl]

@@dimplechops88 I was never given or told about a stoma nurse. Almost 6 months now I've had a ileostomy

[@dimplechops88]

@@TheLendyTexasGirl that’s terrible! You should have contact for the stoma nurse team at your local hospital who you can call if you have any concerns

[@annelierieem1127]

Thank you so match!!! ❤

[@lucindacantu3835]

Amber my husband has a coloncomy bag and a urastomy bag he has a very hard time with the urastomy bag to stick what can we do

[@OstomyDiaries]

I have a video on how to get your ostomy wafer to stick better :) or you can email me at [e-mail] if you need more help. 😊😊😊

[@noneyabusiness5443]

Lucinda Cantu you can shave the area really good and try using a sticky spray adhesive before you put on the wafer

[@lauraallen4312]

I had ostomy place July 2022

[@Subfightr]

Vitamin water does not contain vitamins at least it didn't when it was sued years ago.

[@soopahjj11]

Do they make bags with a release valve for gas? If not, why?

[@AngelaHynes]

they do!

[@ritugopalan7353]

Thankyou very much

[@sharleenhendrickson9434]

Does it help to put a gasX pill in the bag?

[@eyes2see438]

You can take the gasX pill before you eat. Get yourself some deodorant drops. Have your doctor prescribe them.

[@harryduck1962]

Explosions I call them poonamees. Its unreal when it happens.

[@FlyingTigress]

"Pooching" or "Pooches"

[@rebeccabrooks6155]

Been there ...done that. All of the above. Laughing out loud...NOT

[@OstomyDiaries]

Right??

[@kraebat7]

I thought I was the only one obsessed with looking at my poop...feeling for abnormalities lol.... how do feel about salads? I miss them.

[@1sweetandee]

Thank You!

[@OstomyDiaries]

😊😊

[@lesleymcleod3447]

I’m new to this stoma world . I’m really interested to find a diet that suits … from the amount of gas I have to let out during a 24 hr period I must be eating the wrong foods HELP !!

[@Sherry-jx9hs]

She has a couple videos on what she did in the beginning. Should be able to find them on her channel

[@dianelyvelazquez4287]

I was hoping to see images depicting those mistakes. That’s the primary idea of any video.

[@OstomyDiaries]

I guess that is the sixth mistake, not taking pics. My bad. 😃😃😃

[@debramccormack3802]

The accident at work does not require pictures. Not hardly.

[@mohammedhosein5210]

Some dumb people should not make videos .

[@OstomyDiaries]

Some negative people shouldn’t comment. 😊💁🏼‍♀️

[@cheaty01011]

Some dumb people should keep their negative comments to themselves. She didn't ask you to watch her video, you chose to. New Ostomate who watches her very insightful videos and enjoy the knowledge that she spreads.

[@jerryc2709]

Some dumb people shouldn't follow the teachings of a child molester.

[@rebeccabrooks6155]

People who are experts at Ostomy care, or anything else, can not always multitask. Not possible.

[@gigilala4440]

I thought her little stories were helpful. Thank you Ostomy Diaries for the tips. Some people complain about everything.

[@lauraallen4312]

Thanks for sharing