When I first found out that I would be having the surgery. I started by watching videos, mostly yours and Megan's. My husband did research right along with me. I stated before that my surgeon botched things and I was in the hospital for 31 days. My husband was there most of the time. He ordered every free sample out there. He learned how to care for me and what to watch for. Since I was heavily medicated during this time, I was learning nothing. The wound care nurse was very impressed saying there was nothing she could teach him because he was doing a fantastic job. We tried pastes and rings and this and that. In the end, we ended up using the two piece, wafer and bag and found that only using stoma powder was the best way for me. We ended up donating a ton of stuff to the nurse who said she had some patients without insurance who would appreciate it. I hope anyone facing the surgery will watch your videos and find them as helpful as we did. ✌️❤️✌️
I just had my first surgery a couple months ago. It was emergency and I was clueless. Your videos are what has taught me basically everything. Thank you for everything you do... you are very much appreciated.
Thank you Eric such good information for newbies. When I had mine I felt bombarded and bewildered. It’s good we have someone like you to advise new ostomys xx😊
Thank you so much! I actually had the opposite experience. It was a year or so after my surgery before I discovered videos on UA-cam. I esp. enjoy yours, you relay info in a calm, knowledgeable way. Was not aware of your website, I will be checking it out.
over loaded thankyou your a great source 👍 you're the men / you're teaching mè alot / I fell like crying sometimes but I'm not alone / do you go live / thank God for you/ thanks
Eric- thanks for all of the videos that you have produced. My surgery (urostomy) was completed about 4 months ago and now I only use a pre-cut Hollister 2 piece appliance along with a Stealth Belt. I've literally only had to contact my stoma nurse once and that was in the first week after surgery. I could only imagine what it was like 10 or 15 years ago before the advent of UA-cam. It must have been a much more trying experience for new stomates. But because of generous people like you who have taken the time to produce these videos, you have made life a lot easier for me. Thanks again!!
I find your videos very helpful. I’ve had an ostomy since September. I am very grateful that in three or four months I am able to have my first surgery on the road to getting reconnected. I think I’m more freaked out about those two upcoming surgeries than having my emergency one to get an ileostomy in the first place.
Lol. I went crazy and watched almost all of your videos after surgery. Your channel was one of the only channels with almost all the information I needed. I started out with a Hollister made belt and then graduated to wraps and the Stealth Belt.
OH HOW TRUE...it's so confusing! I get my colostomy next week and I am absolutely overwhelmed with info, this really helped calm that down a bit....one thing at a time, first things first.
You are so right that everything can be so overwhelming. I've learned so much from watching your videos and a few other's - more than from any of my nurses. You are so right about looking at a particular issue, and looking to resolve that issue - not getting all the things just because you think you may need them. I was recently looking at support belts and ostomy covers with belts such as Comfizz. However, because of my particular situation, I don't know if spending that kind of money would be appropriate because I MAY be able to have my ostomy reversed. If my doctor states that we will not be reversing, then I can think of spending the money on that kind of system. For now, I'll contact my nurse navigator and ask her if she may know of something similar and less expensive. Thanks for the great information in your videos. I hope you had a great holiday season if you celebrate, and if not, I hope you had a great day. Take care.
hi Eric great video and a very supportive one it brought a lot of memories back to when I was first having surgery. My thoughts where what do I need how and where will the products come from will i have to get them from the chemistor from my gp.I had no idea so it's great that there's this support is here for people to watch. Keep up your amazing work.
I have a problem with an odor when I'm out among others every once in awhile. My pouch can be new or only a day old. Can be very embarrassing. Is the odor coming through the bag? Should I spray the outside of the bag with something?
Hey Carol, you should not be noticing odors outside of the bag unless there's a leak somewhere (even through the filter). What appliance are you using? I have some tips on how to get rid of odors (www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-odor-tips/), but odor should only be noticed when you're emptying your appliance of changing it.
Thanks for your video's! I have a problem I can't seem to find info anywhere. After my emergency ileostomy, I developed a rather large hernia under it. Looks like an upside down bowl. I think that's the reason I have leaks as I can't seal it smoothly. I use a one piece and add barrier strips. I'm also scared it will fall off once I become more active. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!
Hi Elaine. For complications like hernias, I always suggests speaking with a stoma nurse who can assess it up close and come up with a plan. It may require a different appliance or a support belt/garment. Best of luck.
Hi Susan, something like a Stealthbelt would help. There are quite a few different support products available, and you may be able to find something even better suited to your needs. Here's a link that might help to give you some ideas on where to look: www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-clothing-manufacturers/
What to do about gaining weight after surgery, my husband had a total take down of his J-Pouch surgery. It was 2 years of torture, and pain. He has never gained back all the weight he lost with his first surgery. Now with a permanent ileostomy he has lost much of his desire to eat. He is 2 weeks out from surgery. Being a man I feel he is reluctant to seek help. Tired, weak, lack of energy, just doesn't feel good/well. I guess I just need help in convincing him to seek out a nutritionist.
At two weeks, he may just not be feeling well enough to eat. Does he have any particular foods that be enjoys more often? I do recommend speaking with a dietitian to at least come up with a meal plan that he'll enjoy but also offers nutritional completeness.
I am 11 days away from my surgery and I have contacted three different companies and I asked for samples. One woman who of course was very very nice told me to call her after I have the surgery so she can ask me questions and know what the stoma looks like before she sends me anything. And she said she would send a package out right away after she talks to me. Another woman I talked to said that she would send a package out to me after I contact her and she can talk to me about the stoma . But then she called me back and she said that she was getting a package ready and she would have it out to me in 3 days. So I don't really understand that. Another place I talk to does not sell one product they sell products from many different companies. And she said she would send out supplies to me right away without even knowing anything about my stoma. I don't understand about this company that sells products from all different companies. Is that a safe way to go? And I do think the woman that said to call her after surgery so she can ask questions about my stoma. She seems to be right according to the way I think about this. I still have so much to learn. But I've watched a lot of your videos and they are so helpful to me. So thank you very much for that.
Hi Dawn, you do have a few options for getting samples. I received a bunch while at the hospital following my surgery, then my stoma nurse arranged to have more samples sent to my home. But it sounds like you contacted supply stores, which is fine since they do carry a variety of products to try. Alternatively, you can get in touch with each manufacturer to request samples: www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-suppliers-free-samples/ It may be overwhelming to contact a bunch of companies without at least having some idea of your preference or stoma size/shape. If you are given enough supplies to last a week or two following your surgery, I'd wait until then to request samples so that your stoma has "settled" a bit. Good luck!
@@VeganOstomy thank you very much for the information. I have found that the people that are going to send me the supplies do want to know about my stoma before they send them. So after I get home and settled I will call the company's that I have written down. You're a tutorials on UA-cam are so interesting and educational I thank you very much for doing them they are helping me to have some information as I'm going in to this instead of going into it blind.
She's indifferent to the stoma - but glad that I'm a part of the family again! Being sick for so many years caused her to basically be a single parent as I couldn't help :(
When I first found out that I would be having the surgery. I started by watching videos, mostly yours and Megan's. My husband did research right along with me. I stated before that my surgeon botched things and I was in the hospital for 31 days. My husband was there most of the time. He ordered every free sample out there. He learned how to care for me and what to watch for. Since I was heavily medicated during this time, I was learning nothing. The wound care nurse was very impressed saying there was nothing she could teach him because he was doing a fantastic job. We tried pastes and rings and this and that. In the end, we ended up using the two piece, wafer and bag and found that only using stoma powder was the best way for me. We ended up donating a ton of stuff to the nurse who said she had some patients without insurance who would appreciate it. I hope anyone facing the surgery will watch your videos and find them as helpful as we did. ✌️❤️✌️
+Angel For Animals Thank you for sharing that! 😀😀
Vegan Ostomy ~ You're welcome ✌️❤️✌️
Thanks Eric. You’re right. Soo easy to get overwhelmed with all of the products out there!
I just had my first surgery a couple months ago. It was emergency and I was clueless. Your videos are what has taught me basically everything. Thank you for everything you do... you are very much appreciated.
Aww, thank you, Deanna. I hope you're doing well now!
Thank you Eric such good information for newbies. When I had mine I felt bombarded and bewildered. It’s good we have someone like you
to advise new ostomys xx😊
Thank you so much! I actually had the opposite experience. It was a year or so after my surgery before I discovered videos on UA-cam. I esp. enjoy yours, you relay info in a calm, knowledgeable way. Was not aware of your website, I will be checking it out.
+Nancy Moore Awesome! Take care!
over loaded thankyou your a great source 👍 you're the men / you're teaching mè alot / I fell like crying sometimes but I'm not alone / do you go live / thank God for you/ thanks
Eric- thanks for all of the videos that you have produced. My surgery (urostomy) was completed about 4 months ago and now I only use a pre-cut Hollister 2 piece appliance along with a Stealth Belt. I've literally only had to contact my stoma nurse once and that was in the first week after surgery. I could only imagine what it was like 10 or 15 years ago before the advent of UA-cam. It must have been a much more trying experience for new stomates. But because of generous people like you who have taken the time to produce these videos, you have made life a lot easier for me. Thanks again!!
+JBfromNS thanks a lot. I'm glad that you're doing well. All the best in 2018!
I find your videos very helpful. I’ve had an ostomy since September. I am very grateful that in three or four months I am able to have my first surgery on the road to getting reconnected. I think I’m more freaked out about those two upcoming surgeries than having my emergency one to get an ileostomy in the first place.
Best of luck with your reversal! You'll do great ;)
Thank you. You helped me get rid of overload.
Lol. I went crazy and watched almost all of your videos after surgery. Your channel was one of the only channels with almost all the information I needed. I started out with a Hollister made belt and then graduated to wraps and the Stealth Belt.
haha! Nice! I hope you love the StealthBelt as much as I do ;)
My surgery was 4 months ago. Right now I only use a two-piece precut Hollister Appliance along with the Stealth Belt. Couldn't be easier!
OH HOW TRUE...it's so confusing! I get my colostomy next week and I am absolutely overwhelmed with info, this really helped calm that down a bit....one thing at a time, first things first.
Good luck next week! 😉
You are so right that everything can be so overwhelming. I've learned so much from watching your videos and a few other's - more than from any of my nurses. You are so right about looking at a particular issue, and looking to resolve that issue - not getting all the things just because you think you may need them. I was recently looking at support belts and ostomy covers with belts such as Comfizz. However, because of my particular situation, I don't know if spending that kind of money would be appropriate because I MAY be able to have my ostomy reversed. If my doctor states that we will not be reversing, then I can think of spending the money on that kind of system. For now, I'll contact my nurse navigator and ask her if she may know of something similar and less expensive. Thanks for the great information in your videos. I hope you had a great holiday season if you celebrate, and if not, I hope you had a great day. Take care.
Wishing you all the best, Chris! 😀
Thanks Eric. Great info....
hi Eric great video and a very supportive one it brought a lot of memories back to when I was first having surgery. My thoughts where what do I need how and where will the products come from will i have to get them from the chemistor from my gp.I had no idea so it's great that there's this support is here for people to watch. Keep up your amazing work.
Thanks, Ann! You've become your own expert with all the products you've been able to try :)
Vegan Ostomy Thanks Eric I was thinking that myself. And also thinking of putting a u tube video up.
+Ann Thistleton That would be great! You have a lot of experience to share.
Vegan Ostomy I just need to figure out what to say and how to make the video interesting so people will want to watch it.
I have a problem with an odor when I'm out among others every once in awhile. My pouch can be new or only a day old. Can be very embarrassing. Is the odor coming through the bag? Should I spray the outside of the bag with something?
Hey Carol, you should not be noticing odors outside of the bag unless there's a leak somewhere (even through the filter). What appliance are you using? I have some tips on how to get rid of odors (www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-odor-tips/), but odor should only be noticed when you're emptying your appliance of changing it.
Should you use ring guards to prevent leakage from the beginning?
Only if needed. Sometimes rings can weaken the seal and cause leaks.
@@VeganOstomy ok. Good to know
Thanks for your video's! I have a problem I can't seem to find info anywhere. After my emergency ileostomy, I developed a rather large hernia under it. Looks like an upside down bowl. I think that's the reason I have leaks as I can't seal it smoothly. I use a one piece and add barrier strips. I'm also scared it will fall off once I become more active. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!
Hi Elaine. For complications like hernias, I always suggests speaking with a stoma nurse who can assess it up close and come up with a plan. It may require a different appliance or a support belt/garment. Best of luck.
My ostomy bag twists ?around at night. What is the best product to ease frustration with this happening? Would wearing a stealth belt help
Hi Susan, something like a Stealthbelt would help. There are quite a few different support products available, and you may be able to find something even better suited to your needs. Here's a link that might help to give you some ideas on where to look: www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-clothing-manufacturers/
What to do about gaining weight after surgery, my husband had a total take down of his J-Pouch surgery. It was 2 years of torture, and pain. He has never gained back all the weight he lost with his first surgery. Now with a permanent ileostomy he has lost much of his desire to eat. He is 2 weeks out from surgery. Being a man I feel he is reluctant to seek help. Tired, weak, lack of energy, just doesn't feel good/well. I guess I just need help in convincing him to seek out a nutritionist.
At two weeks, he may just not be feeling well enough to eat. Does he have any particular foods that be enjoys more often? I do recommend speaking with a dietitian to at least come up with a meal plan that he'll enjoy but also offers nutritional completeness.
I am 11 days away from my surgery and I have contacted three different companies and I asked for samples. One woman who of course was very very nice told me to call her after I have the surgery so she can ask me questions and know what the stoma looks like before she sends me anything. And she said she would send a package out right away after she talks to me. Another woman I talked to said that she would send a package out to me after I contact her and she can talk to me about the stoma . But then she called me back and she said that she was getting a package ready and she would have it out to me in 3 days. So I don't really understand that. Another place I talk to does not sell one product they sell products from many different companies. And she said she would send out supplies to me right away without even knowing anything about my stoma. I don't understand about this company that sells products from all different companies. Is that a safe way to go? And I do think the woman that said to call her after surgery so she can ask questions about my stoma. She seems to be right according to the way I think about this. I still have so much to learn. But I've watched a lot of your videos and they are so helpful to me. So thank you very much for that.
Hi Dawn, you do have a few options for getting samples.
I received a bunch while at the hospital following my surgery, then my stoma nurse arranged to have more samples sent to my home.
But it sounds like you contacted supply stores, which is fine since they do carry a variety of products to try.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with each manufacturer to request samples: www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-suppliers-free-samples/
It may be overwhelming to contact a bunch of companies without at least having some idea of your preference or stoma size/shape. If you are given enough supplies to last a week or two following your surgery, I'd wait until then to request samples so that your stoma has "settled" a bit.
Good luck!
@@VeganOstomy thank you very much for the information. I have found that the people that are going to send me the supplies do want to know about my stoma before they send them. So after I get home and settled I will call the company's that I have written down. You're a tutorials on UA-cam are so interesting and educational I thank you very much for doing them they are helping me to have some information as I'm going in to this instead of going into it blind.
Hi Eric. Just wondering about your wife’s opinion on your ostomy
She's indifferent to the stoma - but glad that I'm a part of the family again! Being sick for so many years caused her to basically be a single parent as I couldn't help :(
Vegan Ostomy that’s so true. We all have our way of dealing with that part.
👍👏🙏🤗