Archive for the ‘Ostomy’ Category
Stoma Guards by Stomaplex.com
January 27, 2012In these videos, Maggie models the Active-Life Stoma Guard ($148) and the Pure-Comfort Stoma Guard ($184), both sold by Stomaplex.com. In full disclosure, Maggie was paid to create these videos, and Nadia and I haven’t tried these products ourselves.
These belts are pricy, but they also seem to offer some protection to your stoma if you play really rough. There are, of course, a variety of belts and wraps out there that are much cheaper, for those of you who don’t need a shield around your ostomy and can protect it fine on your own.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
The Equalizer by Stomaplex.com
January 23, 2012In this video, Maggie models The Equalizer, an ostomy support product by Stomaplex.com. In full disclosure, Maggie was paid to create this video, and Nadia and I haven’t tried this product ourselves.
The Equalizer seems like a pretty handy product for getting a tight seal on your ostomy flange. However, at $34 it is significantly overpriced: it’s just a short length of clear plastic tubing, after all. You could go to any hardware store and buy a small length of plastic pipe that does the same thing: just look in the plumbing section (check out this short length of plastic pipe at Lowes for $0.61!). Just measure the width of your appliance (the ring, so you know how much space you have around your stoma), stroll through the plumbing section, and basically get a useful appliance tool for pennies.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
What’s the difference? Temporary vs. permanent ileostomy
January 8, 2012Besides the obvious difference–temporary being for short term, and permanent being forever–this video covers the difference between the type of surgery each of these are, as well as, the reasons why a patient may need temporary ileostomy surgery or permanent ileostomy surgery.
In some cases a patient may undergo temporary ileostomy surgery only to later have to undergo permanent ileostomy surgery–as in my case. Despite having two temporary ileostomies, I now live with a permanent ileostomy. In this video I talk about both.
“My life is my message.” ~Ghandi
~Nadia
Ostomy Lifestyle underwear and swimwear show 2011
December 15, 2011Ostomy Lifestyle just released their video of the 2011 underwear and swimwear show. These people show that you can still be confident in yourself and your body in spite of having an ostomy. For those of you facing surgery, or feeling down because of your ostomy, hopefully these smiling faces give you the inspiration and hope you need to feel comfortable with your ostomy.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Ostomy Outdoors: First post-surgery outdoor rock climb
December 12, 2011Heidi keeps pushing herself: this time she does her first outdoor climb with an ostomy!
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Comfizz product reviews
November 28, 2011Maggie from Let’s Talk IBD just released a series of videos reviewing various Comfizz ostomy support products. The underwear, belts, and wraps are designed to keep the ostomy bag firmly in place throughout the day or during physical activity. Comfizz is a UK-based company but does ship products worldwide.
In full disclosure, Maggie says she was supplied the products by Comfizz and paid to make the videos.
If you have questions about these products, please contact Maggie and not us, as we have not used any of these products.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Two and a Half Ostomies ft. Hannah
November 21, 2011Nadia and I recently made this video with our new friend Hannah, a young woman who also has a permanent ostomy. We talk in this video how we all try to raise awareness for IBD/ostomies, and how we seek out support for these conditions. Nadia and Hannah both have permanent ostomies, and Dennis used to have an ostomy, hence the title of the video.
To learn more about Hannah’s story, check out her blog Semi Colon.
~Nadia and Dennis
Question: What do you do to raise awareness for your disease/condition? If you have a blog, vlog, Facebook group, or other website, share it with us! If you don’t, just tell us what you do.
Ostomy Outdoors: Backpacking in the Weminuche Wilderness
November 18, 2011Heidi’s got another great backpacking video here. The video is her longest yet–like an episode of a television show–but that’s because this trip is her longest yet post-surgery: an 8-day backpacking trip that included 4 summits of 14,000 ft. peaks! If you’ve got the time, watch this video. It really shows that you can do whatever you want after surgery. For months, Heidi’s been slowly working her way up to this trip, starting with day hikes, then short overnight trips, and gradually climbing higher peaks with more weight in her pack.
Personally, I’m really jealous that Heidi gets to live in Colorado, God’s country, and have access to this vast wilderness playground.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: What big goal are you working to accomplish post-surgery?
