I use Glad Press 'n Seal -- you can find it in the market, in the section with foil and plastic wrap. I just tear off a big rectangle, stick it over my pouch overlapping onto my skin, and it keeps...
I use the flex, and LOVE it. It is very secure, I have never had it un-attach. It is so much smoother under my clothes. Highly recommend you try it....
I had my surgery at Cedars Sinai in October 2008, and my referral process went much faster. I had already consulted with Dr. Targan at their Irritable Bowel Disease Center, and I think that helped,...
My output pattern is all over the place too, 13 months post surgery. I too was advised to change the appliance first thing in the morning, when output would be less. I have found that I have a...
I have been wearing the Sensura flex 2 piece for six months after switching from a hollister, and have never looked back. I love it. The adhesive is very sturdy, I have never had a leakage issue. I...
That's a really interesting idea! You could have a new invention there. For what it's worth, I now always change appliances a few hours after dinner, and now that I have my routine downpat, I am...
Sounds like you are doing great. Just for reference, it took me a good 6-8 weeks to not feel completely overwhelmed and weepy with the toll of adjusting to everything, and then by about month #3 I...
See if you can get some samples of Coloplast's Sensura Flex. There is no actual tape, it's more like a plastic film that is removed, and the wafer is flexible and rubbery. I have found it to be very...
You have such a great, inspiring attitude! Wishing you good luck....
Yay -- that is terrific! I am working up my nerve, hopefully I will soon be as brave as you! I wear the sensura flex too, and am so glad that it was inconspicuous for you....
I always need to rinse the pouch after emptying... my output is on the thicker side, and now I don't like the sensation of having a pouch that is heavy with residue, just a personal preference. I...
I apply the adapt ring (different brand than eakin, same concept) directly to the wafer, pinch both all around the wafer opening to make a nice tight seal, then apply to belly, attach pouch, and...
Sorry you've had a leak. No fun. I didn't think that Adapt stuff did much of anything. My output tends to be on the thick side too, what I do (at home anyway) is keep a small plastic cup or bottle in...
Don't worry, I doubt you will need an enema. The prep looks about right to me. Better safe than sorry -- they want your gut as clean as possible so there is less risk of infection during the surgery....
You are not going to believe how much better you are going to feel when this is over, so hang in there. My surgery was laparoscopic, and the pain was much more manageable than I thought. You will...
Hey Chassity, glad you got some answers. Lean on Coloplast to send you some samples while you are waiting for your special order! My stoma sticks out considerably, perhaps 3/4 of an inch, if not an...
Sending gentle virtual hugs your way!! I'm so sorry to hear of all your pain, that sounds horrible. I haven't had to deal with that, as I am a candidate for j-pouch and reconnection at this point....
Wow, looks like we have similar histories in terms of how quickly the disease progressed in such a short period of time after diagnosis. I was prednisone dependent too, prior to surgery. Due to the...
I use this exclusively now and love them. I have been ordering from Edgepark, they have more than one size wafer. I do one of the cut-to-fit convex, I think it's 5/8 - 1-3/4. I would try contacting...
I always found that splitting the dose seemed to help it stay consistently in my system. If I would take it once per day, I could feel it wearing off before the next dose....
Good questions! I was so freaked before surgery that I bookmarked this board, but couldn't bring myself to even browse it, you are already doing great! Ask if there is an ET nurse that your surgeon...
Wow, I recognize a lot of myself in your recent posts. I too turned down Tsabri... I had failed remicade and humira, and it was TOO scary for me. Went to surgery instead. Even after I decided on...
Thank you for all of the good suggestions. I am just going for 48 hours, so won't be checking luggage, and will leave my trusty scissors at home. Will definitely pack a few wafers that I will cut...
I never would have thought about the scissors -- thanks Summer for the good advice to cut the wafers first! I caved, and called the surgeon's office. Medically, no reason I can't do it, which is good...
You are going to feel so much better in all respects once that prednisone is out of your system! It's a great feeling. Glad to hear that things are under control and that it wasn't anything too...
I am enjoying not having had to call my surgeon with any issues lately, and would like to continue my winning streak. :-) So I will ask y'all: Are there any issues I need to be aware of if planning a...
I found the weeks before surgery much worse than my recovery afterwards. I was in severe pain pre-surgery due to inflammation, despite pain meds. My anxiety about the surgery was sky-high, and I...
How nice to hear good news!!! Thank you for posting... I'm starting to feel like chickening out of the j-pouch formation and reconnection, this was very good to read!...
I am not nearly an expert, but was in your shoes a few months ago, struggling with the surgery question. I did not have pre-cancerous cells, but had never been in remission, had failed all meds, and...
I'm currently loving the Sensura Flex. I'm kind of unclear on the burping thing. I just let air out of the bottom when emptying... Not sure it would make sense to try burping from the top, as you...
Just had to chip in and say thanks for sharing your story! And, Dr. Targan is my hero too!! I switched my treatment to him a little over a year ago, and just felt understood finally. It's nice to be...
So sorry you are having trouble -- it is such a lot to adjust to after surgery, everybody's body is different, and it takes a while to figure out what products you need. I would definitely recommend...
So sorry you are struggling. Getting off prednisone is hard, but stick with it, it is SO worth it. I didn't have jitteriness, but did have those morning headaches. For me, it took 6-8 weeks before I...
Thank you for solving the sticker mystery, I was wondering too, since i'm used to the Hollister that doesn't come with them. :) The Sensura Flex's bottom rolls up under the cloth cover too, and even...
Chas, I DID go back to the Sensura Flex. I have a box nearly full of Hollister in my closet, but I am saving those for emergencies, b/c I already received a new order of the Sensura. So glad to hear...
I only had to go 24 hours on clear liquids only, prior to colon removal. I would err on being safe rather than sorry. Hot broth, popsicles, jello qualify as clears and will get some sugar and...
I went home on pain meds, and prednisone (which I was dependent on). Had weaned off both the pain meds and the prednisone within a month of surgery, and have been med free ever since. It's a good...
There is also Adapt deodorizer/lubricant drops. Every morning you put a few drops in, and it helps the output slide out a little more easily....
LOL, I have to "come clean," the toothbrush idea was provided to me by my ET nurse. :) Thank goodness have only had to use that occasionally, I get grossed out at the prospect of any poop that can...
You might want to see if you can get hold of a doc on call to check. I was told by my surgeon that the clean out needed to be really good, so that there is not a risk of stool oozing out during the...
Being scared is so normal, if you weren't, that would be a problem. :) Know that you are going to feel a gazillion percent better after surgery, and you will deal with what you need to deal with....
I usually pour some water in the end (as recommended by my ET RN), and that helps it empty quickly/easy to wipe clean. If you do get some waste on the velcro, you can scrub a lot of it off with an...
I mean replacing the bag twice per week, I can get 6-7 days out of the flange/wafer. I've never had to burp any pouch that I've used... I generally just go to the bathroom and empty from the bottom...
Ok, now that I am out of sensura flex samples and back in my hollister, I miss the sensura flex A LOT!!! The pouch held it's shape so much better, and was more discreet under my clothes. The only...
You've gotten lots of great advice. It is normal to be anxious beforehand. The few weeks prior to surgery I was taking Xanax in the evenings to quiet my worries and help me sleep. My GI insisted on...
I'm not sure if I'm remember clearly (lots of morphine, LOL), but I thought they told me that in addition to drainage, it was to keep the rectum from collapsing/hold it's shape. ?? The drainage was...
I had a total colectomy with temporary ileostomy, and I had a rectal drain in for the full 5 days of my hospitalization. It didn't bother me at all for the first few days, but the last 24 hours it...
Mine is kind of a slurring of my initials: P B N, not too exciting. :)...
Overall, the filter has been working well. The bag only really gets puffy after a lot of output/gas, and of course, after the overnight stretch. Seems less puffy than the Hollister New Image I was...
Hey Chasblah, I've only used Hollister primarily up til this point, so don't have much to compare it to. I wouldn't necessarily describe it as bulky, but the ring does seem a bit pronounced, and it...