Tag: ostomy care

Learning about your stoma care

Lee Hawkins

Now being new to things is ok.  There is a starting point for all things in life and should not feel educated or inferior because you are new at something.  Especially, in 2020 when you can learn things so fast because the information is readily available.  Okay, so I’ve only been exposed to the world of ostomy care for roughly a year or so, but it’s honestly been a journey that has helped me grow and learn more about others who have completely different needs than my own. From learning about urostomies to meeting people who have had a colostomy and now have a permanent stoma, I’ve had my eyes opened to the part of the world that isn’t often talked about.  That is a part of the world that seems a little darker and no one likes to talk about, but I try to talk about it with a sense of humor. 

Now getting the best gear is really important.  I may be a super gear guy, but that does not mean that I should not be on the one thing that matters to my daily routine.  And things like making sure your ostomy supplies don’t leak or fall off your body can be tough if you’re new to the whole game of keeping care of your body with this change and learning about pouching system replacement. Learning about these things is huge and doing them right is important. But there do happen to be a few things you can do to keep things going smoothly. The main things to consider are proper cleaning and your own personal comfort level as well as having the right fitting system for your individual stoma. Nonetheless, we’ve got other tips for keeping everything clean and comfortable!  These clean things can be the difference between happy and miserable for life. 

That is why I want to jump into the important parts.  The first thing I’d ask someone new to having a stoma is if they sweat a lot. If that’s the case, you may feel like your adhesive barrier is prone to coming loose and allowing leakage. This is the worst possible scenario.  If this is the case, you could dust your skin with a powder specifically for your skin barrier. A sealant can then be applied which will act as cement between your skin and the barrier. It’s a little weird at first in terms of how it feels, but your ostomy supplies are meant to handle this kind of stuff and make your skin still feel mostly unnoticed. But if it doesn’t then you need to get with your doctor quick.

The main thing you want to keep in mind when caring for your abdomen and learning this new way of life is cleanliness. Make sure that you are being very careful. That’s really the number one concern for most ostomy patients because there’s a real chance of infection happening if you neglect proper care.

What you need to know is that it’s actually pretty darn hard to neglect your stoma and proper care in the first place. Because if you’re doing that, then you’re probably uncomfortable all the time. And who would actively allow their pouching system to bother the heck out of them all day? They’ll definitely do the right thing, clean it well, apply it properly, and then get back to their daily life with zero discomforts. Be good and be safe.

Looking good with a stoma?

Lee Hawkins

I am always amazed at the different things people will tell other people.  One of the craziest things I had ever heard which really put me off was that people who have stomas can’t be sexy or ever be stylish.  This was really a slap in the face and it makes me think that some people are simply aweful.  I think that everyone can be beautiful, sexy, and fashionable and that having an ostomy bag on your hip doesn’t change that one little bit.  But some people are more affected by words than others and I feel like I need to let people know that they can look incredible and if you have a stoma or are going for an ostomy, life is going to be ok.  You are still going to be able to look amazing and I am going to help you find the new you.  Now I am not saying that I am the answer, but I have been able to help people find the fashion that they actually want.

There are so many looks and fashions out there that it can really be a wild thing to look into.  I am not going to say that there is anyone source of looking good, but knowing how to get the right ostomy gear and the right clothing to go with it is important.  Knowing how to look good is something that I have never really had, but relied on others to help me with my looks and that is why I am here to give away what I know.  Now luckily, leggings are basically a staple for all looks in 2020, and that if you are a woman you are in luck because before the last few years these were not so popular except for looking a bit sluty.  But now it is the new norm and these are amazing for keeping you nice a comfortable and also for keeping your ostomy gear nice a solid on your body. 

But what I really want to let people know is that the internet is here and here to stay.  It is hard to say that but some people still are afraid of it and all the social media that has become so massive.  I mean the majority of advertising budgets of most companies are spent online these days.  That says something, so get out of the gutter and start looking for your ostomy gear and fashion online.  The internet is filled with hundreds of blogs, forums, and places to learn about how to dress during certain things with an ostomy bag.  I have found social media to be an amazing source of learning from real people with stomas.

I know that my body type does not fit everyone’s online nor does my stoma.  So I take what I see with a grain of salt and the understanding that not everything is going to work.  That is 100% ok and good to know ahead of time.  But there are hundreds of people willing to talk about their lives and show how they look and what gear they use on a daily basis.  This gives you some amazing ideas on how to look and dress and be fashionable in so many different ways.  So hop on Instagram and enjoy your new look!