I have only tried apples sauce, but I’m getting sick of it. I need to eat something to thick in my output or else else. It is too water and it beaks. What are your best foods for thickening output?
context: I am a 43 woman trying to cope/find some humor/levity in my situation after my colostomy reversal led to a fistula led to a failed resectioning led to a temp loop ileostomy.
In the hospital, my ostomy nurse, in the presence of a surgical resident, asked me what I wanted to name my stoma.
I said that since my stoma looks like a pair of cartoon fish lips puckered up, which makes my stoma my third pair of lips, I would name it Lippy. Neither of them laughed.
What are your thoughts on pouches with valve closure? I had a colostomy which I found really difficult to clean after emptying it. Then I had a fistula with a valve closure and it was so easy. Now I have a loop ileostomy and I see some bags that have valves. In my experience, the valve is way easier to close than any other closure of any other pouch. The only thing is you have to really milk the bag if you’re output is it all thick. Any other thoughts on the cons and pros of having a valve closure? Thanks!
Hi Group,
Summary: comparison and contrast between living with a colostomy and loop ileostomy.
Details:
I’m looking for some information, some advice, and some kindness. Eight months ago I had my first episode of diverticulitis and I perforated the same day. I spent two months in the hospital battling infection and then got a colostomy once my intestine had calmed down, but my surgeon thought she could operate without entering my small intestine. I became very depressed with the colostomy. It dominated my life and it made it so I couldn’t sleep. I lost a ton of confidence in myself physically and mentally and was really struggling to perform at work. I was forever worried about a leak.
As soon as I had the reversal, I felt like I had a second lease on life. I had three glorious weeks. I shot my shot by reaching out to someone who I haven’t stopped thinking about after we hooked up 10 years ago . All of a sudden I was killing it at work. I’m in my 40s and I had more energy and lust for life than I had experienced in 20 years.
Then my colostomy scar got infected and I developed this fistula. May 1 was going to be the fist ula repair and a colon resectioning and what I prayed would be my last intestinal surgery. My surgeon told me that she wanted to be my personal friend and did not want to have to operate on me after the surgery. I have lots of amazing people praying for me .
The surgery did not go well . My surgeon told me my insights were an absolute inflamed disaster. She perforated my bladder because it had moved and was not where it was supposed to be. I had a fibroid on the exterior of my uterus that had completely moved my intestines around. And now I have this temporary loop ileostomy.
Is there anyone who’s had both a colostomy and a loop ileostomy? Can you help identify some differences for me in the lived experience?
I know very little. I’ve seen some people with ileostomy post here saying they have a hard time sleeping because their back fills up so much in the night and then getting an extended size bag is helpful. I know the output is thinner and there’s more of it That’s all I really know. I’m looking for advice and information. So far, my ileostomy still a farts more than my colostomy. But it’s only day one.
Thank you so much for weighing in. I truly appreciate it.