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Everyday Life
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – people living with an ostomy are successfully returning to work following ostomy surgery. These tips from the me+™ Team may help you return to the workplace with more confidence and less anxiety.
You may or may not realize how important it is to take care of the skin around your stoma.
Travel
A helpful list to help make packing for your next adventure with an ostomy a little easier.
Be prepared if you are traveling with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy with these tricks and tips.
Diet
Eating well is a big part of living life on your own terms. The good news: having a stoma should not
You may have recently resolved to eat healthier adding fresh fruits and veggies to your diet. But wait, can you eat your way through the produce department?
Activity
In the weeks, months, and even years following ostomy surgery, you may find that your recovery timeline may not move as fast as you had hoped. For some, getting back into the swing of things can move more quickly than for others. Everyone’s ostomy journey is unique.
Exercising after ostomy surgery is about patience and doing what feels right. It’s important to take your time and know your limits. When you begin exercising again, you may run into some challenges or limitations. Be patient and don’t give up. Before long, nothing will stand in your way.
Relationships
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had ostomy surgery is what other people will think. “Can they smell anything from my pouch? Do they notice my pouch? Who should I tell about my ostomy surgery?” Most people’s reactions will reflect your own attitude. If you are straightforward and confident about your situation, people will respect that and respond positively.
In addition to the physical issues you face when recovering from ostomy surgery, there’s also the hurdle of body image. Self-esteem is vital to making yourself well again, mentally and physically. Getting your self-esteem back may take a little while, but you can do it.
Talking To Your Partner Summary
Jearlean Taylor has never known life without an ostomy. She has had two ostomies since she was just two years old. But with the support of her family and her own inner drive, she triumphed to become a successful model, author and businessperson. Here she shares her story and offers ostomy fashion tips that work—both on and off the runway.
Recovery
If you’ve ever had ostomy surgery, currently have an ostomy or have had a reversal, then me+™ recovery is for you.
When you’ve been working through Green Phase 1 for a few weeks and you feel confident with the moves, you’re ready to move onto Blue Phase 2, with your health care professional’s permission.
Community Member
A life-long educator, Walt Brilhart has always taken care of others – as a teacher, principal, executive director and associate superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools. When he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 38, Walt needed someone to take care of him. His wife, Lallah, and three sons supported him through full proctocolectomy surgery, but afterwards, he felt devastated.Inspired by the stories of others living with an ostomy, Walt was encouraged to recover. Soon, he was back “on the course,” coaching students, playing the keyboard at church and golfing several times a week.
I am a 55-year-old woman who always took great care of herself. Never smoked or drank, stayed out of the sun and always looked much younger than my age. A few years ago, I started getting symptoms of what I thought were hemorrhoids. I’d never had a colonoscopy, always saying I was "too busy." Like a lot of people, I was just afraid. But given my symptoms, I mustered up the courage, found the time and had it done.
Ostomysecrets® gives you everything you need to conceal and support your ostomy pouch, without sacrificing your personal style.
Fit is so important especially when it comes to your body and the ostomy products you're using. Experience a variety of products designed to let you, be you.
Answer a few simple questions about your ostomy, discover and sample products that will fit your body, and get back to doing the things that make you, you.
The Esteem™+ Flex Convex system fits the contours of your body, moving with you and helping to give you the confidence to live life the way you want.
Have questions about a product or accessory? Call our Customer Interaction Center at 1-800-422-8811 or by email, cic@convatec.com.
As the latest addition to our range of one-piece ostomy solutions, the Esteem™+ Flex Convex system combines the comfort and freedom of flexibility with the firmness of convexity.
Stoma surgery can be scary, but you’re in good company. We can help you get ready—physically and mentally.
A stoma is a portion of your large or small intestine or urinary tract that has been brought through the surface of your abdomen (belly) and then folded back.
ConvaTec offers a wide range of comfortable, secure pouch and skin barrier options designed to fit your life. Have questions? Call our me+ support team at 1-800-422-8811 today.
Showering and bathing with an ostomy can be easier when you have the right information and products.
The me+™ Recovery Series Diary will help you track your progress after ostomy surgery.
