How to get rid of the smell

A capful of over-the-counter 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in the pouch will stop the odor. Hollister M9 deodorizing drops are great, too. You can order them at the same time you order your ostomy supplies. One 8 oz. bottle lasts about a month.

Are you having a problem with leaks or getting a good wafer seal? There shouldn't be any odor if there isn't a leak. You would only smell it when you're emptying, if you aren't putting any deodorizing drops in the pouch to stop the odor.

MacGirl, glad to hear everything went OK. Are you still wearing the clear, plastic pouches they give you in the hospital - those are the absolute worst. I felt so much better when my first supply shipment arrived and I was able to change to soft ones that you can't see through. The only time I was ever able to smell anything is if I had a small leak or if something had splattered on the back side of the bag. Might check out the back to make sure there's nothing on there. I've notice that with my first two surgeries the smell when I emptying gets a lot better after the first couple of weeks. But still, you're not suppose to be able to smell through them. Might try a different kind. Hang in there. It gets better.

All great ideas, I've tried them all. I use mouth wash if I don't have anything else handy. Just have to remember to use it all the time, or can really embarrasse myself.

Sometimes I wonder if it's just in my head. I have even told a few close friends that if they smell me to let me know. guess I would run out and hide. No...maybe just spray some perfume until I could get home for a shower or something.

I have a *very* sensitive nose. The only time I've ever noticed that I had an odor was when I was using a bag I had gotten as a "free sample". It had some sort of filter that was *not* working. I normally use filtered bags, but this company's product stunk! (literally). I called and complained and the representative told me that I never should have received that product, that is was not meant for ileostomates' liquidy output!

MACGIRL~I just realized you are very early in your recover...the smell is horrible in the beginning and does get better as you start eating more solid foods!

But, like summerstorm mentioned, if you do smell something it is usually because the appliance failed in some way.