Let's discuss some challenges and solution to nutritional problems when you've got an ostomy! My full article for this topic can be found by clicking on the link below. Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate. Good article! Thanks for u share. Hi Eric, Hi Diane, That sounds like a frustrating problem. There are certain foods that I eat which tend to cause my stoma to work harder, and retract. This can often lead to leaks. It's good that you're able to identify some of the foods which are causing you trouble, but I do believe that finding a better/more appropriate appliance should be able to help. Because you say that this issue has been worse recently, do you know whether ConvaTec has reformulated their products in the last little while? I know that Hollister has, and I've experienced issues that have never happened before. I believe a few of the forum members have also noticed this. While you are troubleshooting, try to keep a more formal diet log and once you've identified more foods which seem to trigger this, avoid them for a few weeks and see if that actually solves the problem for you. If not, then you might want to explore more appliance options (including various other convex products... there are quite a few). When you put your wafer on, try to heat it up first (some people use a hair drier) and then hold the wafer with gentle pressure for about a minute with your hand after you've applied it to help get that adhesive to stick better. Best of luck! Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate. Hi, Hi Ki, That's a great question. I think it's always helpful to be the "ideal weight" for your height/age/gender, so that's always the goal. Provided that you're in reasonable health, weight gain shouldn't be too difficult, provided that you are consuming enough calories. And that's the tricky part: most people have no idea how many calories they consume, and some are eating too few, and others are eating too many. I'd suggest using a food tracker (apps are easy) and keep a log of your calories, so you know if you've met your target. You will need to factor in any exercise or other activities that burn calories. To answer your question, "I’m curious about what changes you noticed in your stoma as your weight changed.", I'd have to say very little. My stoma's diameter has gotten larger (a few mm), which isn't a problem since I measure it with every appliance change. It still protrudes the same amount as before without any issues with retraction. The biggest change I've noticed comes from the fit of my wafer, which I find to be easier when I'm at an ideal weight. When I was underweight, the wafer would "fold" when I bend, more than it would not. I had far more leaks back then, but I can't say that my weight was the biggest factor. Provided that you aren't gaining so much weight to be considered overweight (which comes with its own set of challenges), I don't think you have anything to fear :) Good luck! Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate. I have gained a little weight since my colostomy, so am not in your situation - but I know someone with an ostomy who has had challenges keeping her weight up. She mentioned that she has been supplementing her food intake with Ensure, or similar drinks, and has been able to gain 6 pounds, which she feels good about. Colostomy 4/30/18. That’s certainly a great question about the stoma sinking. I was 98lbs after my surgery. I currently am 168lbs and am 6ft in height. It’s a weight I feel comfortable with. I find the wafer fits better when not over weight. I came back to a healthy weight over about 4 months. I had to cut back as I was really gaining too much. I haven’t done anything major just cut out unhealthy snacks and make better choices. As for my stoma size it’s been the same for years. After surgery it was swollen but has soon settled down. You have some great tips in the previous posts. Best wishes going forward 👍 ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns Question? I can have 2 to 3 days without output in my colostomy bag, Is this normal? I can have 2 to 3 days without output in my colostomy bag, Is this normal? Hi Carol, What would be normal for you? Is it once a day, more than once a day? Has your diet changed in the last week, that might explain the delayed output? Colostomy transit time tends to be much longer than ileostomy transit time, but for some people that could be once a day or once a week. Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~
Your videos and website are incredibly helpful. I've had an ileostomy for over 35 years with little trouble until very recently. I've been using Convatec Stomahesive 2-piece plus Hollister premium paste, and that would last 3-6 days. Easy on. Lasts long!
But recently I've had terrible leaking problems that none of the manufacturers seem to have a solution for. I'm starting to think it's diet related because the "leaking" is more like "seeping" -- it's a clear liquid that seems to undermine the adhesive, whether it's the flange or the ring or the paste or even skin cement or whatever! (I've been trying as many solutions as I can!) I'm also experimenting with convexity, which might help, but doesn't solve. I start to feel some seepage within a few hours no matter what I try.
Over the past decade, I learned the hard way that I get full-blown leaks within 12 hours of drinking coffee. So I don't drink coffee. I also notice that if I eat a meal heavy with some oils or even nut butters, it would hasten leaking. (Again, it's that clear, liquidy discharge that undermines the "stick" and causes "seepage" which only later is later followed by "leakage.")
Do you have any experience or info about diet-related leakages/seepages? It's incredibly upsetting to have to feel and deal with my ostomy numerous times over the course of a day. No ostomy products seem to solve the issue.
Thanks again for your openness and insights!
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~
I have a question about finding the ideal weight when you have an ostomy. I had my first ileostomy surgery about 6 months ago, but then because of severe retraction and stenosis it was revised from a loop ileostomy to an end ileostomy about a month ago. Unfortunately I also developed stomach ulcers after this revision surgery which are now in the process of healing. During all of this I lost a lot of weight and I'm currently very underweight. A lot of information I find online only talks about how to prevent gaining unwanted weight after surgery (not helpful in my case) and that weight gain can cause stomas to retract, which is something I'm terrified of happening again because of my experience with the first operation. In some of your articles you talked about how you were underweight before your surgery, but have since been able to restore to a healthy weight. I'm curious about what changes you noticed in your stoma as your weight changed.
Thank you for all the helpful information you have on this website.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. It smells like .... victory.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~
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