Introductions - Welcome to the VeganOstomy Community Forums!

Introduction

Seharbinson — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 02:15:44 +0000

Hi all, I'm not a new ostomate, I've had my ileostomy since 2018 thanks to ulcerative colitis (I perforated). I was doing great with it until recently. I developed a large parastomal hernia a couple of years ago and, as time went on, it began causing quite a bit of discomfort. I saw a surgeon that specializes in parastomal hernias and we decided to go ahead and repair the hernia. Hindsight is 20/20; I wish I never agreed. That surgery resulted in a small bowel obstruction necessitating a second surgery. The surgeon ended up having to take down my existing stoma, resect 8 inches of bowel, and create a new stoma. For some reason, the doctor gave me a loop ileostomy (I had an end ileostomy before). I ended up getting a surgical site infection, an intra-abdominal abscess, and an intra-abdominal hematoma. I spent pretty much the entirety of October in the hospital.

I am currently trying to heal from mucocutaneous separation of my stoma. This separation has made it extremely difficult to get my bags to stay on for any length of time. I have tried convex wafers, hydrocolloid sheets under my wafer, stoma paste, barrier rings, etc. I've had some success with trusting, stoma paste, barrier ring, then applying my wafer, but that usually only lasts a.couple of days. Needless to say, my skin is tore up. Unfortunately, I don't have an ostomy nurse where I'm located.

Sorry this is so long. I am hoping to be able to connect with other people who have been through something similar.

New member

MrRyan — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:19:42 +0000

New member here. Not so new to stoma life however, having had a colostomy for 25 years, since age 19.

Nice to meet you all.

Very odd thing going on with partial sigmoid resection

Archive — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 23:50:22 +0000

Last Monday, I started having some loose stool...going on 5 days now. The output is just a little at a time, but oddly my antidiahrreal meds weren't working properly. It would slow down output then eventually start up again. No output after going to bed though. I will wake up in the morning and there would be normal stool appearing. Then, throughout the day loose stool in small amounts till late evening. I carefully continued the Meds. Yesterday, loose stool appeared light brown to yellow. It has been a bit stressful not understanding why the stool is normal early morning then reverting back to loose stool throughout the day. As of today, stool is slowly regaining it's normal color and sporadically on and off normal output seems to be coming back...with some small amount of loose stool in between. Throughout all this...I have been feeling fine otherwise. Just had complete bloodwork done as ordered by my Heart Nurse. I am okay in that department. Any ideas what has been.going? I must admit this episode did stress me out, so I am sure that didn't help!

Benefiber

Archive — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:42:02 +0000

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't been on the site for a while. Been so busy and trying to also manage my Colostomy. I am prone to normal stool, constipation and diarrhea occasionally. A while back I started Benefiber to keep things running smoothly. I took just 1 dose for 2 days...stool was good, then turned green for a few days...then back to normal. I know that Benefiber can be taken sporadically to keep things running smoothly. 3 days ago, I decided to take Benefiber ( always okay with doctor) again. Just 1 dose. Output was normal and healthy. But, a few hours later, dark green stool and has remained this color since then. No diarrhea...normal, but green. I have regular appointment with stoma nurse next Wednesday. Does this have something to do with bile not functioning properly. Green foods don't do this to me. Otherwise I feel fine.

Hi - I'm Amy!

Amy — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:53:33 +0000

Hi all,

I'm a newer ileostomate, hoping to get back to activities and healthful eating one day, but for now just grateful for a second chance at life. Looking to meet others near me or in my age range. Looking for all tips when early in recovery and scared by just about everything that seems it can go wrong in my *hopefully* many years to come. Historically was very athletic and outdoorsy. Important to me: family, faith, and reliability. I enjoy baking, crafting, reading, and long/deep conversations about life.

I'm trying really hard to find other young adult ostomates; I'm 27 for context! Looking forward to hearing from some of you and connecting.

P.S. Thanks Vegan Ostomy for all you do. Been watching your videos since before surgery and still regularly turning to them for guidance. I'm sure at times it feels like thankless, tiresome, isolating work even as a passion, but know there are so many of us out here forever helped by it. ❤️

Hello Again

glenn.giroir — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:02:48 +0000

Hello. I was here a few years ago. I'm just checking in again. I had a proctocollectomy with a permanent ileostomy almost 5 1/2 years ago. I've learned so much since then. Life with an ostomy has been very good for me. I'm fortunate that my ostomy performs almost perfectly. The only food that gives me trouble are peanuts. I can eat a few, but after that, it get a blockage right at the stoma. No biggie. Fortunately, cashews don't do this, and I love cashews.

I've had my share of leaks and broken bags in inopportune times. I've exploded bags at nighttime more than a few times, and I've even forgotten to close the outlet of my bags after emptying a few times. I worry about smells in the bathroom like most of us, but have found that M9 drops are my savior. I use very few products. I'm a Hollister guy, and I use nonfiltered two-piece bags with only a flange. I can get a week out of most bags if I take care of them. I wear a hernia belt almost always (not at night) (5" belt from nu-hope), and a wrap from OstoMYsecrets. This works great for me. It holds everything in place and hides things perfectly. All-in-all, my surgery has been a great success, and as with many of us, has saved my life (I was developing cancer in my colon) and has made my quality of life so much better than when ulcerative colitis was raging inside of me. I still have peripheral symptoms like joint pains and skin issues, but way better than before surgery. It's nice to be back at this forum. I wish the very best for all of you.

Glenn

Sigmoid colectomy and going on trips

Archive — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:56:04 +0000

I was invited to go to Monterey Bay, California last week for 5 days to celebrate my daughter in law's 40 th birthday. A lot of activities were involved that didn't really have bathrooms near by. I didn't go because of my fear of a possible bad output. Sure enough, the next day, I had one and was grateful to be home. I take Imodium when this happens. Another trip is planned in August to Donner Lake in Nevada, where I live. Should I take a small amount of imodium daily if on trip to ensure I can make it through the day without possible high output?? I know if something happens it would put a damper on everyone on the trip. Any suggestions??

Ileostomy 2020

Ryan — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 23:12:36 +0000

Good afternoon my name is Ryan and I'm from Washington State

. I had an ileostomy in January 2021. The pain and misery was tremendous

Partial Colectomy....bad reactions to antibiotics since surgery 2 years ago.

Archive — Wed, 01 May 2024 21:00:45 +0000

About 6 weeks ago, was really sick with flu and bronchitis for a month.. Started a regimen of Amoxicillin. Got diarrhea and felt awful. So stopped the Med. Everything cleared up eventually. A few days ago, developed a UTI, was on a 3 day regimen of Bactrim. It cleared up the Uti, but 2 days after, diarrhea non stop. Took imodium, but didn't help. It is still ongoing, but slowing down a bit. I see my Primary tomorrow. I am concerned about any future antibiotics I may need to take in the future though. Does my partial colectomy play a role to being resistant to Antibiotics??

New member

T J — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 20:11:31 +0000

Hello to all. I ended up with my ileostomy in 2017.

I found Vegan Ostomy the same year as I recall.

Eric your site has been very helpful.

For the most part I have had only minor trouble keeping my devices on ect. I wear a two piece device with a belt at all times. I'm semi retired mechanic and north of 65.

I came here to continue to learn. That said I'm looking to try a Stealth belt in the vertical position and maybe hear from anyone using one.

Thanks T J