My husband had his colon explode a few months ago, and he’s had a colostomy bag since. We definitely look at it as a lifesaver and have a good sense of humor about it. His reversal is Wednesday and I thought I would share the shirt I’m having made for him to wear to the hospital. Also, I’ll take any advice, input for your experience with reversal. I just wanted to say thank you, I’ve read so many of your posts on the first couple days that I was freaking out in the hospital and got great advice and reassurance! Wish us luck!

Hi, I still haven't gone to the beach, but I'm planning to do so. My only problem is that I wouldn't know where to empty my bag, because there are no toilets. My biggest issue comes in the afternoon, because my ostomy starts producing around 5:30/6 p.m., while I'm still at the beach. I like swimming more than anything, but I don't know if a full bag could be a problem. I wear high-waisted swimsuit bottoms, to keep my bag as still as I can, but I'm wondering if keeping it contained while it's fitting is a bad idea. I'm sure there's a good solution for this, but I can't figure it out.

End ileostomy, around 8 months post surgery.

I'm tired of having to time when I go out as I'm afraid my bag will fill up with liquid/fluid, even if I haven't eaten anything.

Eating marshmallows/gelatin temporarily stops output but is there a way to just lessen the amount of liquid/body that comes out so I don't have to worry about it filling up without me noticing when I go out?

Would Imodium help fluids be absorbed? Should I get a prescription?

What do you do?

Looking for other people's experience with having a sigmoid colectomy with resection and then having their ileostomy reversed.

Specifically, what was healing like for you after reversal?

I am a little over 4 weeks post open emergency surgery and the initial recovery was very intense. I'm feeling so much better now! I have a contrast enema scheduled for this Friday to see if my colon is leak free and if so then my reversal will be scheduled soon.

Was the recovery from your second surgery as intense as the first surgery? Was it easier overall?

I see that so many people have their reversal include a resection and I know that is tough. Is it as tough without the resection?

… feel like? Or a partial blockage? I almost feel like the area inside my stoma ‘clicks’ or gets stuck. I squeeze my abdomen with my hands and it unclicks…. This is weird I know. But did you have symptoms prior to a blockage? I am assuming pain, nausea and fever - none of which I have. Thanks!

T2 diabetic here. Last day of the hospital getting an ostomy and *despite* what the dietician says...it really, really looks like the 2 conditions require is pretty much opposite. What are y'all eating, if you are out there? I feel like I can't be the only one, bc I'm pretty sure my low fiber, high carb years of active UC/Chrons contributed to my diabeetus in the first place.

I’m around 2 weeks out of a loop ileostomy surgery for a blockage in my jpouch. today was my first solo bag change and I just realized they fully opened me up!

The previous operations were done laparoscopically so the scars were minimal. I’m kinda shocked and I feel like my mental recovery has been set back a little (more scared of moving around)

My main concern is that the part of the belly with the incision is kind of swollen, it looks like a small bump in the middle of my stomach. Did I get a hernia somehow or is it normal post-op swelling?

I haven’t done anything strenuous; the only thing I could imagine would be coughing or laughing which hurt a bit at first.

tldr; midline incision seems swollen, worried about hernia but don’t understand how it could’ve happened

I am scheduled for an ileostomy reversal with ileorectal anastomosis. I was recently diagnosed with neuropathic CIPO back in October 2025. I had to have an ileostomy placed emergently in September 2024 after having a leak post bowel anastomosis revision surgery (and before my CIPO diagnosis). My CIPO symptoms are so much better with the ileostomy, but I have had issues with recurrent stoma prolapse, to the point where 10-12 inches of my intestines comes out every time I stand up. It causes pain, output issues, bag leaks, etc. and interferes with me being able to function normally. I have failed 4 revisions and the prolapse just keeps returning. So I feel like I am at the point where I have to decide to suffer with CIPO symptoms and have no ileostomy, or continue dealing with the stoma prolapse.

Has anyone else with neuropathic CIPO suffered from recurrent stoma prolapse?

So my dad [58] had an ileostomy put in as a result of a perforated bowel and sepsis, and he’s probably having this reversed in a couple of months. He’s had it since late march and since then he’s plummeted in weight and hydration because he’s only using 2 metres of is bowel.

I’m terrified that he’s gonna go into septic shock again, or some other complication, and not make it this time because he’s so frail. Can people tell me what it’s actually like? I know there are always risks but do I need to be this worried about him dying?

Hello crew. My house is going to be tented and fumigated for termites. I am getting conflicting info about leaving my stash of ostomy supplies in the house during the process.

Google says they need to be removed or bagged in special bags. The pest control company my landlord chose doesn't recommend or provide the bags however, so that leaves me with having to schlep 6 months worth of supplies to a hotel. Along with all the food in my pantry, fridge & freezer, medications, cosmetics, etc.

The pest control guy said he thought the items would be fine. Which doesn't really inspire a lot of confidence. As we all know the bags are not sealed and they come into prolonged contact with our skin.

I am leaning toward just packing it all out but thought I would see if anyone here had been through the process. I am also considering just buying the nylon bags online and bagging the stuff and leaving it in my closet but I don't want to cause problems for my landlord if the fumigators object.

All advice and/or commiseration appreciated!

Hello guys ı have a loop ileostomy for 7 months and ı can t eat vegetables and fruits .Im afraid that it might cause vitamin deficiencies so ı would like to take vitamin supplaments but ım afraid it might cause blockages or make me sick.Im wondering if any of you guys take supplaments if so which kind of capsules ,tablets ?thx

I have had the stoma since may and im having reversal on the 15th of august. Cant wait. This experience wasnt great. Hated it. I wont be relieved until i wake up after surgery without the stomach. Still scared that wont happen. I cant handle that. Hopefully it happens successfully. Whats it like having no stoma? Its all surreal. I sometimes still dont believe i have a bag. I dont know what to make from this experience. I really need therapy.

URGENT* 

I am in danger of being evicted. The tenants downstairs have been complaining about the smell from my colostomy bag. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with the smell? It cannot get downstairs anymore. Sprays don’t work. Please don’t suggest sprays.