Ileostomy questions

In preparation for my ileostomy, I have some questions.

1. Does flakey dry skin affect the adhesion of the appliance in anyway? If it does what do you do to avoid problems?

2. When using a two-piece appliance, when do you change just the bag vs everything?

3. Do you use a seatbelt cover or stoma guard when you're in a car?

4. What's the shortest amount of time between eating a meal and a bag change would you say is safe? If it was a snack?

5. Other than marshmallows, what do you eat/do to slow output for a bag change? How soon would you try this post-surgery or would you wait until you're comfortable with your stoma first?

6. How much time should I leave between eating and sleeping to avoid getting up in the middle of the night?

7. I know foods can be different for everyone, but have you had trouble with: oatmeal? granola bars? seaweed? dried fruit? peanuts, cashews or nuts in general? nachos? leafy vegetables? broccoli? cauliflower? beans and peas?

8. Are things like bread and pasta easier to break down so you can get away with not chewing so much? How about cheese, egg, meat without tendons or fat?

9. Did ab muscles become pretty much non-existent after surgery? Would it help to gain some before or do you just have to wait until your body is ready to use/build them again?

10. What things would you definitely recommend trying (items in general or specific products)?

11. What are some warning signs that I should look out for and how to deal with problems ASAP to avoid the hospital?
One thing I'm scared of are blockages, so I'm definitely starting with a liquid diet, then no fibre, and finally slowly adding back foods I've cut out (but still no high fibre). And of course chewing my food really well. Do you have to eat slowly too?
I'm Chinese, so my family tends to eat leafy vegetables and of course rice, not sure how to phrase this but what's your experience with Chinese/Asian food?

12. What is the phantom rectum feeling like? Is it a strong feeling? Do you try to go or ignore it? I get pretty bad tenesmus during flares, never found a solution other than waiting it out, hated it so much, it was worse than pain.

13. How did you deal with a flaring rectal stump? Is it less bad compared to pre-surgery because it's a shorter isolated part now?

14. Which soap do you use to clean the skin around the stoma? I know they're supposed to have extras like moisturizers etc but I don't know which brands are good.

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated as well! Thanks in advance!

1. Does flakey dry skin affect the adhesion of the appliance in anyway? If it does what do you do to avoid problems?

I've never had dry skin. I use benzoin compound tincture to protect my skin if needed too. It helps with sores.

2. When using a two-piece appliance, when do you change just the bag vs everything?

I change everything about 4 days. Sooner if it leaks. I use a barrier ring to help from leaking.

3. Do you use a seatbelt cover or stoma guard when you're in a car?

No, just make sure you put your bag above the seat belt. Just flop it to the outside.

4. What's the shortest amount of time between eating a meal and a bag change would you say is safe? If it was a snack?
Change in mornings when the stoma is still asleep.

5. Other than marshmallows, what do you eat/do to slow output for a bag change? How soon would you try this post-surgery or would you wait until you're comfortable with your stoma first?

Pretzels

6. How much time should I leave between eating and sleeping to avoid getting up in the middle of the night?

I try not to eat after dinner. Then read until 11 or 12pm. Then empty it one last time.

7. I know foods can be different for everyone, but have you had trouble with: oatmeal? granola bars? seaweed? dried fruit? peanuts, cashews or nuts in general? nachos? leafy vegetables? broccoli? cauliflower? beans and peas?

Stay away from raw vegetables. Easy on the nuts, just chew really good.

8. Are things like bread and pasta easier to break down so you can get away with not chewing so much? How about cheese, egg, meat without tendons or fat?

Don't have problems with those.

9. Did ab muscles become pretty much non-existent after surgery? Would it help to gain some before or do you just have to wait until your body is ready to use/build them again?

I've never tried to get mine back. Lol

10. What things would you definitely recommend trying (items in general or specific products)?

Benzoine compound tincture. Tegaderm to cover flange when swimming.

11. What are some warning signs that I should look out for and how to deal with problems ASAP to avoid the hospital?
One thing I'm scared of are blockages, so I'm definitely starting with a liquid diet, then no fibre, and finally slowly adding back foods I've cut out (but still no high fibre). And of course chewing my food really well. Do you have to eat slowly too?
I'm Chinese, so my family tends to eat leafy vegetables and of course rice, not sure how to phrase this but what's your experience with Chinese/Asian food?

Drink warm liquids if suspected blockage and lay on left side. It will help get things moving. I love chinese just have to make sure my vegetables are cooked soft.

12. What is the phantom rectum feeling like? Is it a strong feeling? Do you try to go or ignore it? I get pretty bad tenesmus during flares, never found a solution other than waiting it out, hated it so much, it was worse than pain.

Just wait for it to pass. Don't have much problems, had rectum removed.

13. How did you deal with a flaring rectal stump? Is it less bad compared to pre-surgery because it's a shorter isolated part now?

They have suppository for it.

14. Which soap do you use to clean the skin around the stoma? I know they're supposed to have extras like moisturizers etc but I don't know which brands are good.

I use my normal soap.