I never have an issue with the bag leaking due to not having air. Do you have the bags with the air vent on them or without? Is the wafer getting pushed off your belly from the stool? If it is the latter, I have found that consistency of the stool can matter. If it is too firm, try taking Fiber Gummies or Fiber and some other form to loosen your stool lab so it doesn't push the wafer off. I offer this because I know what a pain it is to constantly have a bag with air in it on your belly.
On Wed, Mar 11, 2020, 8:27 PM Michelle Kephart <[email protected]> wrote: > I got a colostomy almost one year ago, and I wish I would’ve done it > sooner. I am 37 years old and 11 years post injury, C4/5 complete. I spent > the better part of the year trying to figure out why the wafer would not > stay on and nothing was in the bag. I finally figured out that it was > because of a lack of air in the bag. I found this website to be extremely > helpful with troubleshooting: > https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-leaks-tips/ > > I decided to get a colostomy because I was having more accidents and the > constant anxiety that I was about to have another accident was wearing me > down. I was afraid to vary my diet at all. Now that I have the colostomy, I > rarely think about it. Even when my colostomy leaks, it is so much easier > to clean up. It doesn't get on my chair, I don't have to sit on the mess, > and I don't have to worry about poop getting on my skin sores when I have > them. If we catch the leak early enough and it doesn't get on my clothes, I > don't even have to get out of my chair to clean up. And since we solved the > mystery of why my bag was leaking, I have not had a single accident. I also > love that my life is not dictated by the schedule of my bowel program. My > skin sores healed up pretty well after I stopped sitting in my shower chair > for so long. > > Like Aaron said, sex is pretty doable with the colostomy. Go into it with > a fresh empty bag. In fact, I think it's better because I'm no longer > worried about pooping on my husband (that's never happened, but it would be > mortifying)! And yes, the farts are audible. I also like to keep a blanket > or something else on my stomach that will muffle it. Or I blame the dog :) > > > > > > On Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 5:51 PM Aaron Mann <[email protected]> wrote: > >> C4/5 | 32 years post| 47yr old >> >> I got my colostomy ~ 20 years post. At the time I got it done I was going >> in for my 2nd flap surgery. I developed a small wound on my bottom that >> progressed to a stage 3 quickly. The problem I was having is that I would >> have an accident, not be thoroughly cleaned on/in the wound, and just >> spending 1-2 hours every other day on a hard shower chair. These factors >> make it near impossible to prevent fecal infections in any type of wound. >> Once that happens the healing process is greatly hampered. The plastic >> surgeon said that I had to do everything I could to prevent future skin >> breakdown. He asked me about a colostomy and it took me two months to >> decide. >> >> Post colostomy: >> I really wish I'd done this sooner. Granted having a colostomy when >> younger would have presented very uncomfortable life situations. I tell you >> though, not having to do bowel programs is a HUGE plus. No more training >> caregivers how to put suppositories in me, stick their finger up my bum >> checking to see if I'm done. Not to mention the embarrassing times of >> having an accident. Some so bad that crap is EVERYWHERE. Being cleaned up >> like a 1 year old. Completely and totally ashamed that someone has to clean >> you up. It is so much easier to have a bag and/or wafer change. Travel is >> more convenient. No need for dragging around a shower chair. >> >> Now, few downsides, some more important than others depending on how well >> you handle things. If you don't keep regular with the right diet, your >> stool can be too firm and push the right off your belly. Too loose and >> you'll be changing more often. It has taken me years to figure out on my >> own the right combination of fiber gummies to take daily to keep it just >> right. Let's talk gas. Now farts are funny at any age. You must have a >> sense of humor if you have a colostomy. There is no longer the built in >> muffler of sitting on a cushioned seat. Make a fart sound with your lips >> right now. That is what colostomy farts sound like. I carry a hoodie on my >> lap for two purposes; I can bundle it as a makeshift muffler over my bag on >> gassy days or wear it when cold. Sex. Have your attention now? Spontaneity >> will present some new barriers to overcome. Best answer is be open to >> adaptation regarding your colostomy. If I plan on having fun with my wife >> or whoever (just kidding hon), then I have a wide ace wrap to put around my >> belly to cover the belly bag. It has worked so far for those intimate bumps >> n rubs. >> >> Please ask questions, best thing us old quads can do is impart our >> ?wisdom? >> >> Aaron Mann >> >> >> On Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 3:29 PM Danny Espinoza <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> I've got one but as a result of my seat belt cutting in to me and >>> haven't known anything else. >>> >>> -Danny >>> >>> -------- Original Message -------- >>> Subject: [QUAD-L] Colostomy - Yea or Nay? >>> From: "Nancy Gillen" <[email protected]> >>> Date: Wed, March 04, 2020 7:17 am >>> To: <[email protected]> >>> >>> >>> Nancy Gillen <[email protected]> >>> 9:58 AM (18 minutes ago) >>> I am seriously thinking of getting a colostomy. If you have a >>> colostomy, will you share your experiences/opinions. Need input. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> Nan >>> >>> >>> >>>
