2 weeks post op and doing great!

[Crohnzie Girl]

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to follow up with you all. It's been two weeks since my surgery and made a newfriend. My stoma Ginny. Since Ginny was born (so to speak..lol) I haven't felt this great! I haven't had any pains or urgencies at all. It's as if I'm living my life before I was diagnosed with Crohns back when I was 15 yrs old. Boy, does it feel great to eat and not worry anymore bout the cramps and bloat and horrible pains afterwards.
Now, as far as getting used to my new lifestyle, its a learning experience. I guess its like learning how to tie your shoes. It's not the hard but with practice its like no big deal at all, right? I haven't had any issues with my stoma. It's still alittle swollen and so is my belly but all of the gas pains is gone. Thank goodness, the first week was by far the worse with the gasses. I haven't had a leak yet, but that's probably bc I haven't changed my bag completely on my own yet. My stoma nurse has helped me both times. I'm trying a new bag its from coloplast 15896 from what I've been using Hollister 8631. I must say I like the Hollister brand much better. Lol. But I'll keep trying different ones.
As far as my activities goes. I'm pretty much doing my daily routine. I just can't bend down all the way so if I'm sweeping the floor my kids would hold the dust pan for me to sweep up the dirt pile. All 3 of my kids have been wonderful helping me and supporting me especially when they see me start to feel sad when I look down at it. They kno jus the right thing to say to cheer me right up. I love them to pieces! <3

So there it is. Feel free to ask me any questions and if ya'll have any tips for me I'd love to hear them. One tip my nurse gave me is: when in a restroom and I don't want others to hear me. Put tp in the bowl so when emptying my bag u don't hear the plop plop sound.
Any other tips would be great!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I'm so happy to hear you are adjusting well. I'm only a few weeks into it myself and its learning a new vocabulary and adjusting to a new lifestyle for sure.

The toilet paper is also good to avoid splash back if standing while emptying.

As for other tips, I find when applying the flange that standing is best to avoid wrinkles that may lead to a leak later. Marshmallows, peanut butter and pasta slow output if you have diarrhea. Only use ivory soap or dial to wash because they don't leave residue which interferes with adhesiveness.

I'm sure the veterans will think of many more

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

Yes! Oh my the splash back! Eeeew, it was gross when the water hit me in the face!! Lol
Thanks for the soap advise. I haven't showered with the bag off yet. But was wondering which soaps would be good.

 

[Chad K]

Congrats on feeling better! The Hollister bags worked great for me... definitely took some getting used to at first though thats for sure! The thing I hated was the splashback, especially with being tall, but I learned to lean down and use toilet paper to help like nogutsnoglory suggested.

All the best!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Ugh splash back is nasty. At home I sit to empty but in public restrooms I just load up on toilet paper and aim for the rim to avoid too much water.

I wonder what guys would think if I emptied in a urinal. It's all liquid. I think I'd freak everyone out because they would see me whip out a bag.

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

Thank you, Chad K!

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

Hahahahaha.....maybe they would if u did. I'd do it jus to see their reaction. But I'm one to do crazy things jus to get a kick to see how ppl react. Lmbo!