Living With An Ostomy Tips and News

Is it possible to have intimacy after trauma and what does that look like?

I was 47 and living life to the fullest until I wasn’t. I kissed my husband goodbye as I went off for a straightforward surgery which would have me home the next day to recover and continue with my life. 

Whether you just got your surgery recently or you’ve had it for a while, here are some great resources for you! Trying as many things as possible helps a great deal.

1. United Ostomy Associations of America: Like this Facebook page to receive updates on UOAA activities and learn more about this great organization. They offer education materials, support groups and conferences. They also have an intro magazine with a food list that many people find helpful. Within this group, you can learn a lot from other patients.
   
   
2. The Phoenix magazine has stories, ads for new products, and advice columns to answer your questions.
   
   
3. Ostomy 101: This app and website has support group resources and it’s great to help you learn more about ostomies. They offer classes

For individuals living with an ostomy, participating in activities like swimming can seem daunting at first. However, with the right ostomy belt, you can reclaim the joy of swimming and embrace the water with confidence. Choosing the best ostomy belt for swimming requires careful consideration of specific features, your unique needs, and swimming preferences. Let's explore the essential factors to keep in mind when selecting an ostomy belt for swimming and practical advice on wearing it comfortably in the water.

Features to Look for in Ostomy Belts for Swimming

Water-Resistant Materials: Opt for ostomy belts made from water-resistant materials to ensure they stay intact and provide the necessary support in the water. Look for belts that won't lose their shape or adhesiveness when exposed to water.

Secure Adhesive System: A strong and reliable adhesive

 Introduction to Ostomy Belts and Wraps for Children

For children living with an ostomy, maintaining an active and comfortable lifestyle is of utmost importance. An ostomy involves the surgical creation of an opening in the body to allow waste to exit and is often a necessary medical procedure. To support and empower these young warriors, ostomy belts and wraps play a crucial role. These specially designed products offer the much-needed security, confidence, and comfort to children with ostomies, helping them embrace life to the fullest.

Types of Ostomy Belts and Wraps Suitable for Children

Ostomy belts and wraps come in various styles to cater to the diverse needs of children. From slim and discreet options to more comprehensive wraps, manufacturers like Stealth Belt have developed an array of products. Stoma belts, hernia belts, and custom options are among the

Body image is a struggle that has come and gone for me throughout my life. Throughout elementary and middle school I experienced some bullying for being heavier than a lot of the other kids I went to school with. Once I got to high school, I really grew to be more confident with my body. This, of course, all changed once I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis my first year in college. Over the next few years of being on and off steroids, my weight really fluctuated and threw me for a loop. Finally, in 2018 I had my total colectomy surgery and chose my permanent ileostomy a year later.

Having the surgery and choosing to keep my ileostomy opened up a whole new world of body image struggles for me. Immediately after surgery and for a few months after, I was almost in a state of being unphased by anything as I just felt so happy to not be in constant pain anymore. My weight became pretty stable after my surgery since I was able to come off of the steroids and not be in a state of constant

Before I had my surgery, I wasn’t sure if travel would get any easier. With my full set of organs, I had issues with eating or staying hydrated because the symptoms of my Crohn’s disease were so severe. Now, while I still have to worry about my ostomy a little bit, things have gotten much better for me and I have been able to enjoy more time with my family and friends without my life revolving around the nearest restrooms.

I used to get compliments on my very low weight without recognition of the severity of my condition before my ostomy, and one of the things I really wanted to do was travel even though I always had to skip part of the fun to rest and live in hotel bathrooms. Now, I have freedom I used to only dream of. I used to fantasize about what I would do if I had a day where I didn't have to stay close to restrooms and where I would go if I had a magically healthy week.

Irritable, from constantly being in pain and dealing with the constant symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. Tired, from having to fight the unrelenting symptoms, side effects of medications, and never ending trips to the toilet. Depressed, because no matter what I did, what medicine I tried, what I ate, I always felt isolated and alone, because of this disease that defined me.

One of my lowest and most shameful points was having to hold my newborn baby on the toilet, because I couldn’t hold my bowels long enough to secure him into his swing or bouncer. After failing the ump-tenth medication in December 2021, my doctor and I decided that it was time for a colectomy. April 6th, 20 days before surgery, was the worst/ most embarrassing most unparalleled lonesome day of my UC life. On this day I didn’t even know I had to go, and let out a deluge of mucus and blood that soaked through my pants, through a slatted chair and onto the floor of where I was eating at in Walt Disney

Intimacy seems to be that taboo subject that no one wants to talk about. Sure, there are a lot of

questions out there, but most people may not want to ask. Intimacy with an ostomy? Yes, it’s possible,

and yes, it’s just like intimacy without an ostomy.

I was newly married when I had ostomy surgery, but was in a unique situation. Two weeks

before my husband was to deploy for nine months, I learned I would need surgery due to a

precancerous colon. I had surgery a month later, and thankfully he was able to come home while I was

recovering in the hospital, but promptly had to return overseas. I was 24 at the time and stayed with my

parents until his deployment ended.

There was a lot of learning during the months that my husband was gone. Learning to change

my bag, care for my stoma, and regaining my strength were my biggest to-dos. But of course, like

everyone else, I wondered what

Purchasing ostomy supplies out of pocket can be surprisingly complex. Given the enormous selection of products, sizes and brands, it can feel intimidating, especially for a newbie. Even if you know which specific product you need, there are seemingly endless places to buy them and prices can vary wildly. 

Any new or experienced ostomate can be excused for feeling overwhelmed. But fear not! The following tips will help you make sense of your options and simplify the buying process. Read on and you’ll be an ostomy pro in no time. 

1: Beware of third party sellers

It’s no secret that ostomy supplies can be costly. Whether you’re purchasing entirely out-of-pocket or supplementing what your insurance provides, good prices are probably at the front of your mind. 

The high out-pocket prices of most medical supply companies - especially the ones that bill Medicare and private insurance - often lead prospective shoppers to eBay or Amazon

Ostomy friendships have been an unexpected blessing in my life. I owe so much to my fellow ostomates, and they have saved my life in ways they may never know. I’m so isolated in person, and ostomy friends are my lifeline. I can trust them and share life no matter how far away they are. They are irreplaceable and fabulous.

I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to know the great people I’ve met because of our ostomies. They pull me out of my darkest times, help me serve other ostomates better, and they help me feel free and relaxed. I do not deserve such patient, kind, wonderful friends, so I am deeply grateful. I even met some of the Stealth Belt team as friends first before I ended up as part of the squad! I love working with all sorts of people to promote ostomy awareness and education. Some of my brilliant friends speak to members of the medical field and legislature, and I will be sure to join in on the fun

Swimming is excellent exercise, and it’s also an amazingly relaxing activity. One of the best things about summer is lazing around the pool and taking the occasional dip to cool down.

If you’re living with an ostomy bag, you may feel uncomfortable about the idea of wearing a swimsuit. You may feel exposed or worry about leaks, which can reduce the fun you have at the pool.

In good news, ostomy pouches have specialized mechanisms to resist water and prevent leaking under any circumstances, including swimming and other outdoor activities. By taking a couple of precautions before your swim, you’ll have the confidence to brave the water and make the most out of the summer season.

Choose the Right Swimsuit

Most people feel better swimming with an ostomy bag if they feel it’s hidden. Shop around for snug, one-piece swimsuits for women or high-waisted swimming trunks for men that will cover the stoma and ostomy bag.

Do you want to compare the differences between an ileostomy vs. colostomy bag? Discussing this subject requires you to consider when you may need either of these bags.

To handle specific medical conditions, your healthcare team may sometimes need to make an ostomy – or a small hole in your abdomen that allows urine or stool to leave the body. After the procedure, you may require an ostomy bag. Depending on the treatment, doctors may recommend an ileostomy or a colostomy bag.

The results of either a colostomy or an ileostomy vary. Consider these differences in more detail and learn more about stealth belts by contacting our team at Stealth Belt. You may reach us if you call (800) 237-4491.

Surgeries That Require an Ostomy Bag

Ileostomy and colostomy bags are both types of ostomy bags. Several surgeries may leave you in need of one of these bags,

My daughter, Isabella, is soon turning 6 years old and has conquered many mountains with her ileostomy, since January 2017.  Bella was born with Long Segment Hirschsprung Disease, that took her entire colon and has been linked to her other condition; Cartilage Hair Hypoplasia (a form of dwarfism).  Since discovering Stealth Belt her quality of life and the ability to live it to the fullest have improved! Now we have discovered even more ways that Stealth Belt has improved Bella’s quality of sleep and ability to handle medical procedures. 

A mother's tale about her brave daughter, Bella, and her unwavering warrior spirit through 17 surgeries, a bone marrow transplant, and over 600 days in the hospital. 

From graduating with a Master's degree, to her first post-surgery pull-up, Molly explores the good, the bad, and the ugly when trying to overcome setbacks with her ostomy. 

Generally, I never considered that I had to stop doing the things I did before my ostomy, so when I recovered from surgery I simply carried on. Oh sure, of course I worried about how to keep my ostomy snug and secure during activities. I was also nervous about causing a hernia, but I was way more nervous about having an accidental leak or blow out. This is the point when I discovered Stealth Belt. With proper support, I knew I could do just about anything.

A low residue diet is typically prescribed following bowel surgery as a means to “rest” the bowel and allow for recovery. Low residue foods are foods that contain next-to- no fiber, as the fiber can obstruct and/or irritate the intestinal tract. However, this diet is also lacking in nutrition, which is why it is meant to be only temporary. So, how do you transition off of the low residue diet safely?

2012, once I was home and well on my way to recovering from bowel surgery, I was struck by one
overwhelming question—what absorbs where? You see, after several years competing in endurance
sports, I knew that the primary role of my colon was the absorption of water and with that came key
minerals, particularly electrolytes. So, I obsessed. If I am missing my colon, will I always be deficient in electrolytes? And, if that was true, then what else should I be concerned about? 

Following bowel surgery, particularly in the case of an ostomy, your surgeon will prescribe a Low Residue Diet for six to twelve weeks (maybe longer depending on your unique situation). A Low Residue Diet is essential in order to “rest” the bowel and allow for unencumbered recovery of the GI tract. 

Hello! My name is Trish. In 2012, I was diagnosed with stage-4 colon cancer. I was 46 years old at the time and (I thought) in perfect health. That is, until I wasn’t. 

The Christmas tree has been taken down, the New Year’s Eve confetti has been vacuumed up, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to tackle those New Year’s Resolutions.

Here is what I’ve learned:

This journey has taught me ALOT about myself. That I am passionate about bringing awareness, educating, sharing my journey and helping others in the process.

"When I found out that I was getting an ostomy, I got kind of scared. What if this surgery wouldn’t let me work out any more?"

Molly Olly Ostomy is back to discuss the details of her gradual approach back to physical activity, the challenges she's faced so far, and how she is working smarter instead of harder to achieve her goals.

 My aim now is to answer why it is important to have good posture with an ostomy by looking the general benefits of standing tall, dissecting the particular causes and effects of bad posture among ostomates, and then offer some tips on how to improve posture and functional movement patterns.  

"As soon as I found out I was going to be living with an ostomy, I did what any control freak receiving life-changing news would do: started spending hours and hours researching."

Thanks to his stoma, my boyfriend has No Colon, but is Still Rollin’, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Learn about how surgery affects hydration, why hydration is so important, how to effectively hydrate throughout the day, and which hydration supplements work best in order for me to run 100 miles per week with an ostomy

Collin Jarvis

Aug 4th, 2016 

My good friend and former training partner, Michael Coe, pitched the idea to go visit our mutual friend in Iceland. How do you say no?