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Posted 12/24/2010 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have my surgery on January 3rd.  Do I wait until I get home to buy supplies so I know what kind to buy?  Will they give me enough supplies to get me through until I order some?  Thanks...this part kind of overwhelmes me because I have no clue about the supplies (what I'll need, where to buy, etc.).
Posted 12/25/2010 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
They gave me enough supplies to last about ten days when I left the hospital, I would check with a local supplier to make sure they take your insurance? Also keep in mind it takes about three to five days to receive after you order.
Posted 12/25/2010 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
your et nurse will help you, its hard to buy supplies before you get your ileo because you wont know what you need.
Posted 12/25/2010 10:50 AM (GMT 0)

I agree with Summerstorm, don't buy any supplies just yet.  Everyone's stoma is different and you won't know what yours is like until about a week or two after surgery when inflammation settles down.  The hospital will send you home with a week's supply of one-size fits all and then an ET nurse will visit you at home and take it from there.

Sue

Posted 12/25/2010 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Oh good, thanks!  They said a nurse would visit me. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas.

Posted 12/25/2010 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Disneynutt, just a heads up the appliances they put on you in the hospital and send you home with are clear, plastic and gross. I know they like to be able to see your output but I was not a big fan. I never liked to see my stoma or output through the bag and they feel very geriatric. I felt so much better, psychologically, once the skin-colored, soft ones arrived. When you talk to your ET nurse, be sure you tell her that you would prefer opaque samples from Hollister and any other company they hook you up with. The nurses will take care of all of that. Keep us posted!
Posted 12/26/2010 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
yes scrapgirl makes a good point, also, your output will probably be this green color that is never seen in nature and smell like death warmed over and killed again!!! thats just the bile in there because you havent eaten. Once you start eating, it will clear up and change into something less disgusting! also, you could go ahead and order some m9 drops, that would be the only thing i would suggest, i wish i had thought of that, and put them in your pouch, even in the hosptial, it will help with odor and help you get used to it easier.
Posted 12/26/2010 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I called while in the hospital and got samples to try so when I got out they were already either at my home or on the way. Do some research before your surgery. Trixiemom
Posted 12/27/2010 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with Trixiemom. GET SAMPLES!!! I had such a huge problem with my ileo. Its been over three months and I just found an appliance system I love. Don't spend your money on whole cases until you know what you like best. You can call Convatec, Hollister and Coloplast (maybe others too but those are just the ones I used) once your out and know what your stoma looks like. I get my samples in about 3 days. The hospital will give you enough to last until you get some samples in. But I really suggest getting samples first.
Posted 12/28/2010 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the great suggestions!
Posted 12/28/2010 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
I came home with about 3 weeks supplies from the hospital. Had a home nurse for 2 weeks, she made sure I had at least a full months of extra supplies. There is a full time ostomy supply store where i live, and once i knew what i needed, i get an automatic order every month around the first of the month. so far, my BCBS insurance is paying for 100% of it all, with no co-pays.

david in sc
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