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Ostomy Information for New Ostomates First off, in case you don't know what an ostomate is, an ostomate is a person with an ostomy. Any kind of ostomy, it can be an ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy, any kind at all. If you have an ostomy, you are an ostomate. When you become an ostomate whether it was planned or due to traumatic injury, you will have a lot of new words thrown at you. Ostomy pouches, ostomy barriers, flanges, baseplates, there is a lot to learn. The doctors and nurses who make up your medical team may use words you have never heard before. They may assume you understand what they are saying because they understand it themselves. One of most important things you can do is learn how to advocate for yourself. It is impossible to know everything so don't feel bad if you don't understand something

Ostomy Awareness Day is on Saturday, October 7th this year. I love the theme they have chosen, "Navigate the Journey Together". This is an excellent reminder to everyone who has an ostomy, whether it is an ileostomy, urostomy, colostomy, or any and all ostomies, you are not alone. There are so many people who have an ostomy, there is no reason to feel isolated! United Ostomy Associations of America is a wonderful group that provides ostomy education and support. They help people live their best life before, during, and after ostomy surgery. In my time working with Express Medical Supply, an online medical supply company, I have had the honor to talk to many ostomates. It is a source of joy when I can help them find the ostomy appliance that helps their skin feel better or the ostomy accessories that helps them increase their wear time. The best part though, is when I can tell them that they are not alone, that there are people who have ostomies out in the world. I can honestly assure them this is a fact because I spend most of my time at work helping people who have an ostomy.

Coloplast Brava protective seals help to seal the gaps that occur between the ostomy barrier and your stoma. The skin surrounding your stoma can come into contact with output and that causes skin irritation and damage. The stomal skin needs to be protected from output and irritation from adhesive. Coloplast Ostomy has created a material, a whole new formula of polymer to make their Brava protective barrier seals work even if you have aggressive output. The protective seals will not fall apart or break down when it comes into contact with output. They are specifically designed for ileostomy, however, they can also be used

Hollister Ostomy Solutions for Odor Control Hollister has a complete line of ostomy supplies, they offer one piece and two piece ostomy systems, rings and seals, and many different ostomy accessories. I have discussed the new Cera Plus products that Hollister has made and how they help with skin care. Cera Plus is such a great solution for helping your skin stay healthy that I realized I have neglected the other things that Hollister does well. Hollister Ostomy has two products that work to control odors associated with ostomy output.

What is a Regulated Colostomy? A regulated colostomy is when a person uses ostomy irrigation to regulate their stomal output. Ostomy irrigation is a medical procedure that Colostomates can use to control their stomal output. It takes time and patience and should be overseen by your medical team. If you are interested in starting ostomy irrigation, contact your ostomy nurse or your physician so you can discuss with them if it is right for you. Ostomy irrigation is intended for people who have a colostomy, if you have an ileostomy then it would be difficult to have success with ostomy irrigation. The benefits of having a regulated colostomy would be controlling your stoma output which would mean you would not have to necessarily wear an ostomy pouch all of the time. Instead you can wear a stoma cap, mini pouch, or a stomaseal dressing.

When you have an ostomy, your ostomy is with you all of the time. It doesn't go away when you are shopping, working, or running. As an ostomate you will need to find ways to make your ostomy work in every situation. Not just when you are in the comfort of your own home. You will need to change or empty your ostomy system while you are away from home. In order to change your ostomy pouch in a public restroom you will need to plan ahead. This is an important achievement to unlock for anyone with an ostomy. Having an ostomy does not mean your life is reduced to your home, you will be able to do all the things you enjoyed before. Learning how to care for your ostomy takes time and patience but it is worth it.

What are Colo-Majic Liners? Colo-Majic liners are a flushable liner for ostomy pouches. The liners are intended to be used in closed-end two-piece ostomy pouches. They are made of a thin material that comes in two varieties, one is biodegradable and the other is not. They are both flushable and stop you from having to empty and drain your colostomy or illeostomy pouch. The liner is put inside the pouch you are already using and once it is 3/4 full, you take the liner out and then flush the liner and it's contents.

What are Medical Adhesives? Medical adhesives are a skin safe adhesive compound that are used to attach medical appliances like ostomy wafers and flanges and/or external condom catheters. Medical adhesives are also used in surgery. There are adhesives that contain natural latex such as Perma-Type surgical cement as well as silicone adhesives such as Urocare's Uro-Bond. Medical adhesives are intended to be used on skin and are designed to be skin friendly.

Adapt CeraRing: Ostomy Barrier Rings Adapt CeraRing are a brand new version of Hollister barrier rings and they are now infused with ceramide.Hollister has gone all in with ceramide and for good reason, ceramide helps protect the skin around your stoma. When you are using your Hollister CeraPlus flange and wafer you will be able to fully benefit from the ceramide because your ostomy barrier ring will also be infused with the same skin saving CeraPlus. This is great news for anyone who uses Adapt barrier rings. You can still get that Adapt perfect seal while you protect your skin from moisture loss.

What is Stoma powder? Stoma powder is a non-medicated powder that is designed to absorb moisture from raw or broken skin surrounding a stoma. Stoma powder is not made of the same type of powder that is found in baby powder or body talc. They should not be used interchangeably. Stoma powder is to be used around a stoma which is the result of an ostomy surgery. Stoma powder can be used with a colostomy, ileostomy, and/or urostomy. By absorbing moisture the stoma powder can help the ostomy barrier/flange to adhere better while allowing the skin around the stoma to heal. Ostomy stoma powder is not meant as a skin protectant and it will not prevent irritation. It is only meant to be used to absorb moisture from skin that is moist to the touch due to irritation.