Hey Top of the morning to ye John ! So if somebody is going in for surgery they should ask for the old style stoma eh ? Haha

Wot bout ye big lad, We all like the new model of any thing but may be the classic is the way to go. most people wont even know what a stoma looks like. would it be hard for patients to be shown pictures.

Right ye are a picture good idea . I wasn't aware  of what to expect with mine . But yes nothing wrong with classics !

I think i got the old classic as well 

it was really perfect nice and round and perfectly positioned thanks to a great hospital stoma nurse

but Igor blew a stitch before he healed and went lopsided but touch wood I have had very few problems apart from my little hernia (maybe self inflicted but don’t tell the wife ) 

I as  said before, was lucky-I believe I have the "old" stoma.. R they trying to an experiment on some of and the newbies now?  Lets hope we can help them out before surgery!! 

So, John?  Missed you!  How have been things over there? How is your wife, you said something about her maybe having surgery..??  Robert and I really missed yo buddy!! reply a the lounge.. We will see you there! 

Posted by: john68

Hwe have discussed on here before the proper siting being important but this may also be a point worth mentioning for any one going for surgery

Hey, John!

Yes, the position of the stoma is quite important, but it helps to have a nice size/shape. I'll be quite honest, but I think a lot of it has to do with the surgeon's experience.

Not every surgeon specializes in GI surgery, which is why I DO NOT recommend a general surgeon perform ostomy surgery unless absolutely necessary. 

I agree Eric my GI insisted that I was operated on by a top colorectal surgeon and I was even though I had to travel a distance for the surgery .

I had a colorectal surgeon-did REAL well, this is what she specialized in. I had a huge team of Doctors getting me through All I was going through.. Then her turn..  but couldn't find my busted gall bladder SHE could have operated on and make big bucks.. - 72 hours later? 3 surgeries..  Different hospital.. But did a great job molding Nellie--Which I have told her many times she could have it and I wanted my colon back.. 

I think this is a serious issue--If anyone cannot speak for themselves,, PLEASE have a loved one to talk FOR you!! THEY ask ALL questions, THEY learn.. On anything that ales you-- I have been put in places that I should have NOT been put in..  Made me sicker. Killed me even!! 

How many times have I tried to think nice thoughts about my surgeon. He didn't give me a normal stoma. It is flat and needs deep convex wafer to be viable. 

Before the operation , I had no idea that the size of the stoma was optional to the surgeon . All the photos showed it coming out an inch and being nice and round. Who would have thought? 

I guess that I have to wait for a hernia to get it repaired. 

"My Z" talk to your Dr.  Maybe there is something they can do-- sure cant be as horrible as what u went through before!!  Common sense tells me it would be just another little pull out and stiches.. I am not a surgeon - and don't understand why there are so any different types and sizes.. It could be how swollen we were during this surgery and the medications and our illness's made a difference.. But heck if we have to make deposits as we have to now, at least make us more comfortable. Speaking of deposits??? I would be real rich now.. :-) Missed that lottery!! As always.............. 

Z , Nellie is a decent size, but she talks on the right side of her funny face.. So I have to make a little more room for her lectures.. I do know with people with flat stomas, they have to use 2 or more seals every time.. At a meeting a ostomate nurse (that I had in the hospital) comes in and (as I got further into understanding all of this and more to come as always..) She told me this.. I was in the hospital again for kidney failure and she came by to give me a hand.. Said that this patients stoma (she just lfet) was so far in it took 4 seal rings. Also, said they have to do something for  him. But they just do their job and you go home with a mess and a fight.. Now after my Gattex term paper here.. I am going into this area more and get deep.. ???

I am speechless. 

(For once )

My stoma is very small.  I cut my bag between the 15 and 20 line and it is about an inch above my skin in height.She also has a "spout" on the right side that has to be accounted for when I cut the opening and ring placed. I am convinced that this is the reason I have so much trouble with leaks...even with a deep convex bag. I am up for reversal surgery in June after my repair surgery in April. If it was permanent i would be asking about revision. 

"Gertie" has always been this size...maybe a little bigger around but not much and not any longer than it is now.....I just deal with it...some days I am successful some days I am not.

My colorectal surgeon who placed my ostomy is very experienced so not sure if this is a new technique or what. The surgeon who will be doing my repair did make the comment that my stoma is"tiny"

????

Posted by: Malsgal8

"Gertie" has always been this size...maybe a little bigger around but not much and not any longer than it is now.....I just deal with it...some days I am successful some days I am not.

 

 

When most of us have went for surgery we had no idea what was going to be created, a stoma yes but very little more. I was lucky to have a surgeon who took the time to place it well and made a stoma of a good size. A small stoma is a challenge and can be worked with but its a real pity the ostomate has to put up with this. If any one knows of a patient that is going for surgery please make them aware of the issues we all know!! and point them to wards Vegan Ostomy. Eric has covered these problems and boy could taking 5 mins to watch a video make a heck of a difference. Here Malsgal hang in their and work with the advice on the site until you get sorted

My stoma shrank and shrank and SHRANK post-op.  It's sitting at about 19mm now.  From what I've seen on the stoma measuring guide it doesn't get much smaller than that.  I hope it has stopped shrinking.  I have a colostomy so much of the stool that comes out is solid.  If it's too solid (as it often is post chemo) I'm doubled over in pain. Oats have become my best friend. Well I was a big fan of oats the whole time I had cancer too (took my ex doctor 18 months to diagnose me)

Posted by: AMS

It's sitting at about 19mm now...  I have a colostomy so much of the stool that comes out is solid. 

Wow, that is small, especially or a colostomy. 

What does your surgeon say about it? My ileostomy has never been smaller than 28mm and colostomies should be larger than that. I'm not surprised that passing stool hurts you, but I'd hate for you to have to go through that for a long time. 

I'm not sure what they can actually do about that.  It started out much larger and then just shrank.  I've been a little concerned that it's going to retreat back into my body.  I don't know if that is a thing.  The upside is that it's nice a round.