Posted 10/24/2020 3:08 PM (GMT -5)
1. Does flakey dry skin affect the adhesion of the appliance in anyway? If it does what do you do to avoid problems?
Raw skin from output is more proglematic, resolved with better fitting cut
2. When using a two-piece appliance, when do you change just the bag vs everything?
I use a one piece daily
3. Do you use a seatbelt cover or stoma guard when you're in a car?
Nope!
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?
Not sure, i am not fearful of eating out!
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?
Loperamide, jelly babies. Output after surgery is usually very loose as the body is in trauma. Let it settle naturally before seeing if you need to slow output
6. How much time should I leave between eating and sleeping to avoid getting up in the middle of the night?
Ive not done this, instead i set an alarm at night to start. Eventually i didnt need to as i wake naturally if i need to empty. Becomes sixth sense!
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?
No major trouble, id have a loperamide before beer and curry though!
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?
Eating slowly is more important to me than what i eat.
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?
Give it time!
10. What things would you definitely recommend trying (items in general or specific products)?
Start basic for an easier routine, and adapt with extra as you need them. Brava powder helped me for a while but I my only extra now is adhesive remover
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?
Ive had no problems but you should be discharged with six week diet sheet. Eat slowly, stodgy food to start
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.
I pass minimal mucus every few days. Feels similar to needing toilet but less urgent
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?
Not experienced this
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.
Just wark water
I hope some of this is useful, good luck!!