Help I have a ileostomy... please help

[EdM10]

Hey everyone,
Im 18 years old and i do not have crohns, however i do have an ostomy bag. I'll give you the background on it:
On febuary 28th 2011 I had my appendix removed, do to a mistake in the O.R. I was left with some major complactions. My insides were a mess with infections. 3 days later on March 3rd the Doctors told me i would be having an eassy surgery to correct the problem and i would be left with a small scar below my waist. Well do to the doctors waiting so long to correct the problem and yet again another mistake I woke up with a 10 inch long 5.5 inch wide and 3 inch deep wound in my stomach and the most dredful ostomy bag. Well i'm now awaiting the reversal surgery which is going to be between May 20th and June 20th I want to know what to expect from all this. Also im very bad with bag as far as wearing clothes go. Currently I have then one piece bag with always fills with air on me. I have my senior prom May 19th and i need to wear a tux... please help
Thank you so much

 

[Jer's Girl]

Oh Ed, I'm so sorry for all you have been through. Please talk to a stoma nurse to help you figure out your bag a little bit more, and how to care for it.

As for clothes, it might help if you got a wrap to wear under your tux. You can find wraps at http://www.ostomysecrets.com. I had a few and they work quite well to help hold and hide your bag. Also, wear loose clothing, anything tight is a bad idea.

I hope this helps! Keep looking around at the posts on here to get other ideas. Good luck with your reversal and have a great time at prom. I had a bag under my wedding dress, and had no problems at all.

 

[Nyx]

Get a bag with a filter on it, that should help with the air problem. Luckily, with a tux, the jacket should cover things up very nicely. I know that Joe on here wears his bag outside his pants (because of the placement of his stoma) with his shirt untucked to cover it. I'm sure that won't be an option for your tux, but for everyday, that might work for you. Good luck and I hope you have a great time at your prom

 

[CDDad]

Hi Ed,
Wow, that is some unfortunate story. At least it will be gone in a month or so.
The first thing I would do is get a two piece appliance. I like the Hollister New Image. It is very easy to burp the bag (in private) to let out gas.

Another thing that will help is a filtered bag. The filters get clogged after a day or two, so again the two piece will let you change the bag and not the base unit (wafer).

Since you don't have Crohn's, hopefully after the upcoming surgery, you'll be back to normal function with no lasting effects. I would also get a lawyer on speed dial!

Good luck to you!

 

[sparkles]

Omg! It's bad enough having an ileostomy at our age, but you weren't even supposed to have one! Poor you!
Like other posts mentioned, loose fitting clothes are best.
Hope everythings ok soon

 

[Kris]

I'm so sorry this is happening to you! Most of us knew an ileostomy was possible, I couldn't imagine being in your shoes. The good news is that you have better bag choices and you don't have to worry about your bag showing under your tux Joe had great bag advice. Two piece appliances are much better. The filters help out too. In order for your bag not to show on prom night (or anytime), just keep emptying it. I empty mine at a 1/4 full. It sounds scary at the thought of emptying it in a public bathroom, but you will get good at it. Just take your time and don't get careless. It might help to carry a little travel size pack of sanitizer wipes in your pocket for emergency clean up. Experiment with different clothes and you will find that you can wear pretty much what you wore before surgery. Good luck, and have a great night at the prom!

 

[EdM10]

Hey everyone,
Thank you so much you have all been a such a great help. Its deff been a tough thing to go through, i have so much respect for all of you who have to deal with this for life... its not eassy. I have gooten pretty good at using public restrooms and preapring for for them bringing everything i need. CCDad I am talking with a lawyer about the whole thing and he is helping me to get ready for the lawsuite. The other thing I was wondering is if any of you have had the reversal surgery and if so how did it go? I know im blabbering on but i cant stress to you all how thankful i am that there is a group like this to help thank you so much God Bless

 

[Sungirll]

Ed - lots of people have had reversal surgery. I am also a member on the UOAA discussion board. I have Crohn's and an ileostomy. Lots of folks on the UOAA board with LOADS of experience with reversals. Many members with ostomies for reasons like yours. Give some of those folks a try. You will find lots of super supportive people that have already gone through both surgeries to help you through it - and with more info than anyt doc or wocn nurse! Good luck.

 

[Brindle]

Hi Ed,

I use these vents on my pouches as I do not have very good luck with the built in filters.

https://www.edgepark.com/shopcatalo...&OrigPSku=&cat1=&cat2=&cat3=&catid=&subcatid=

Good luck with your upcoming surgery and your lawsuit. Have a great time at Prom.