Ostomy
Ostomies come in three forms: an ileostomy, made from the small intestine; a colostomy, made from the colon; and a urostomy, made from the urinary tract. This page features videos about managing an ileostomy or colostomy, surgery often necessary for patients with digestive diseases.
Basic Ostomy Information
1. Certified ostomy visitor (3:36)
2. Colostomy (3:09)
3. Ileostomy (3:57)
4. Ostomy bag / pouching system (6:40)
5. Stoma types (4:54)
6. Urostomy (4:19)
7. What’s the difference? Temporary vs. permanent ileostomy (5:47)
Managing an Ostomy
1. Being prepared: How to go out with IBD, an ostomy, and J-pouch (7:28)
2. Colostomy irrigation (3:42)
3. Dealing with blockages (7:14)
4. Dealing with the smell (4:50)
5. Driving with an ostomy: Dennis’ way (5:06)
6. Driving with an ostomy: Nadia’s way (8:51)
7. Duo Video: Sleeping with an ostomy (7:04)
8. Flying with an ostomy (7:03)
9. Flying with an ostomy: Nadia’s way (7:20)
10-13. Full Frontal Ostomy: Exercising with an ostomy (3:33, 3:09, 2:54, and 1:53)
14. How full can an ostomy bag get? (7:53)
15-16. How to change an ostomy appliance: Dennis’ way (8:44 and 4:57) Graphic material!
17. How to change an ostomy appliance: Maggie’s partial way (15:05)
18. How to change an ostomy appliance: Maggie’s complete way (7:19) Graphic material!
19. How to empty an ostomy appliance (5:21)
20. How to put on an ostomy bag/appliance: Nadia’s way (10:04)
21. How to remove an ostomy bag/appliance: Nadia’s way (6:25)
22. Ileostomies and blood (6:25)
23. On-the-go 5 minute ostomy change (7:54)
24. Potty Talk: Tips on changing an ostomy bag (6:19)
25. Potty Talk: Tips on emptying an ostomy bag (4:40)
26. Prolapsed ostomy videos Graphic material!
27. Scratching your ileostomy (6:01)
28. Showering with an ileostomy (3:06)
29. Showering with an ileostomy (Bag-free) (8:17)
30. Sleeping with an ileostomy: Dennis’ way (6:44)
31. Sleeping with an ileostomy: Nadia’s way (6:44)
32. Stoma feelings and sounds (4:07)
33. Swimming with an ostomy (7:29)
34. UOAA: Living with an ostomy (16:49)
35. Using Imodium with an ileostomy (8:22)
Ostomy Support Products
1. Colo-Majic liners (1:55)
2. The Equalizer by Stomaplex.com (3:43)
4-5. Stoma Guards by Stomaplex.com (3:45 and 3:09)
6-8. Trio Healthcare ostomy supplies review (5:18, 3:46, and 4:22) Graphic material!
Ostomy Fashion
1. Andrew, 2011 ostomy underwear and swimwear show model (6:07)
2. Annie, 2011 ostomy underwear and swimwear show model (4:50)
3-7. Comfizz product reviews (4:53, 2:42, 4:42, 2:16, 4:27)
8-11. Full Frontal Ostomy: Fashion videos (2:49, 4:37, 4:50, and 4:26)
12. Full Frontal Ostomy: Wearing a mini pouch (3:10)
13. Jen, 2011 ostomy underwear and swimwear show model (6:15)
14-15. Jimmy and David, 2011 ostomy underwear and swimwear show models (5:16 and 9:12)
16. Lisa, 2011 ostomy underwear and swimwear show model (6:22)
17. Nadia rocks fashion with an ostomy part 1 (6:41)
18. Nadia rocks fall and winter fashion with an ostomy (4:45)
19. Nadia rocks summer fashion with an ostomy (4:21)
20. Nadia rocks fashion with an ostomy: Special occasion and career (4:27)
21. Ostomy beachwear (5:12)
22. Ostomy Lifestyle model Krystal Weird (3:42)
23. Ostomy Lifestyle model Rosemary Griffiths (3:27)
24. Ostomy Lifestyle underwear and swimwear show 2009 (4:38)
25. Ostomy Lifestyle underwear and swimwear show 2011 (5:21)
26. Wearing an ostomy bag under clothes (8:53)
27. Wearing an ostomy belt (2:49)
28. Wearing tight clothes with an ostomy (1:26)
Ostomy Stories and Perspectives
1. 4-wheeling on an ATV (4:31)
2. Broken bag stories (4:33)
3. Colored stool (5:06)
4. Exploding stool (2:41)
5. A fresh bag (1:59)
6. The Gutbending Declaration: Nadia and Erin (3:52)
7. Having an ileostomy forever (8:11)
8. Ileostomy forever pt. 2 (7:21)
9. How Crohn’s disease affects the skin around my stoma (4:39)
10. Ileostomy dreams (3:25)
11. Lisa accepts her ostomy (6:48)
12. Mercy the Ostomy Aid Ambassador (6:35)
13. The middle of the night (5:08)
14. My scare: Going to the emergency room (6:14)
15. Ostomy rap (1:22)
16. Ostomy scar gone wrong! Hypertropic/keloid scarring (4:20)
17. Ostomy scar update (2:49)
18. Ostomysecrets in the news (2:27)
19. Riding a bicycle (6:16)
20. Smells in the morning (3:33)
21. Study: Temporary ostomates are less happy (2:11)
22. Two and a Half Ostomies ft. Hannah (7:22)
Ostomy Outdoors
1. Snowboarding (9:42)
2. Backpacking (12:53)
3. Backpacking preparation (11:16)
4. Day hike in Shadow Canyon (7:32)
5. Backpacking in the Rocky Mountains pt. 1 and pt. 2 (9:27 and 11:21)
6. Return to running (6:44)
7. Hiking Colorado’s highest peak (11:54)
8. Ziplining in Crested Butte, Colorado (2:16)
9. Oxford and Belford backpacking trip (8:15)
10. Catholes 101 (4:22)
11. Backpacking in the Weminuche Wilderness (24:44)
12. First post-surgery outdoor rock climb (5:11)
13. Grizzly Peak winter hike (11:22)
14. A day in the life: Snowboarding (10:05)
Great Comebacks Stories
1. Little gifts (7:59)
2. Ostomate on the south summit of Mt. Everest (2:47)
3. Rob Hill: Traveling with an ostomy (6:20)
4. Tony Bell and Rob Hill stories (6:20)
Useful Links
U.S. Organizations
Friends of Ostomates Worldwide: The FOW is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization providing ostomy supplies and educational materials to ostomates in need around the world.
Great Comebacks: The Great Comebacks program raises awareness around the globe through inspirational individuals who have chosen to share their stories and offer hope to others facing life after ostomy surgery.
The Phoenix: The official publication of the UOAA that provides solutions to the many challenges of living with a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy or continent diversion (j-pouch, kock pouch, etc.). From skin care to nutrition to intimacy, in-depth articles written by medical professionals, authors and ostomates show readers how to return to a full and rewarding life with an ostomy.
The Quality Life Association: The QLA is a non-profit nationwide association aimed at meeting the special needs of continent ostomates and educating others on the latest advances in ostomy options.
United Ostomy Association Of America: A national network for bowel and urinary diversion support groups in the United States. Its goal is to provide a non-profit association that serves to unify and strengthen its member support groups, which are organized for the benefit of people who have, or will have, intestinal or urinary diversions, and their caregivers.
Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society: The WOCN Society is a professional nursing society that supports its members by promoting educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence.
International Organizations
Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses: The AASTN provides quality ostomy information to ostomates and provides education for stomal therapy nurses.
Australian Council of Stoma Associations: The ACSA represents at a national level the interests of all 22 regional stoma associations in Australia.
Federation of New Zealand Ostomy Societies: The Federation supports all 23 ostomy societies across New Zealand, representing the counties 5,000 ostomates.
International Ostomy Association: The IOA is an international association of ostomates.
Stomawise: The UK support network for ostomates.
Community and Personal
Brenda Elsagher: Ostomy speaker, author, and humorist.
C3Life: Message boards, ostomy information, and questions for WOC nurses. The best ostomy site on the net.
No Guts No Glory: 2010 ostomate expedition up Mount Everest.
Ostomy Outdoors: Young woman shows that an ostomy doesn’t prevent her from doing any physical activity.
Uncover Ostomy: Young woman shows that an ostomy is nothing to be ashamed of.
Ostomy Supplies and Manufacturers
Most offer free samples of their products if you request them. We do not endorse any particular ostomy company or its products. For viewers outside the U.S. and Canada, some of these companies have contact information for other countries available on their websites.
Canada Care Medical: Specializes in providing personalized service and the widest selection possible of quality home health care products.
613-234-1222
1644 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON, K1V 7Y6
Coloplast: Coloplast develops products and services that make life easier for people with very personal and private medical conditions.
1-800-533-0464 M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
1601 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
ConvaTec: Offer products and services that enhance patients’ lives.
1-800-442-8811
100 Headquarters Park Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558
Cymed Ostomy Co.: Cymed pouching systems are a transparent, hypoallergenic polyurethane film.
1-800-582-0707
1440 C Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Ehob: A leading company in pressure ulcer management, EHOB continues to be an innovator of affordable products effective in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.
1-800-899-5553
250 N. Belmont Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Genairex: Products have been designed and manufactured with one main objective: to make quality products affordable for the ostomates who use them and profitable for the businesses that supply them. We do not sell products directly to ostomates, but do welcome their sample requests.
1-877-726-4400
12501 71st Court, Largo, FL 33773-3050
Hollister: Dedicated to delivering the highest standard of quality in medical products and service.
1-888-740-8999
2000 Hollister Drive, Libertyville, Illinois 60048
Home Delivery Incontinent Supplies Co., Inc.: HDIS has been serving customers with the sole purpose of making incontinence products convenient, affordable and less embarrassing to purchase.
1-800-269-4663
9385 Dielman Ind. Dr. Olivette, MO 63132
Marlen Manufacturing and Developing Co.: Remains the oldest of the original ostomy companies operating in the United States.
1-216-292-7060
5150 Richmond Road, Bedford, Ohio 44146
Nu-Hope Laboratories: Nu-Hope has built a reputation of manufacturing innovative, high uality, reliable ostomy appliances and accessories.
1-800-899-5017
P.O. Box 331150, Pacoima, CA 91333-1150
Trio Healthcare: Ostomy products that are essential to your daily lifestyle.
mailusa@triohealthcaregroup.com
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ostomy Undergarments and Pouch Covers
The Better Life Ostomy Belt: A wide, supportive and comfortable pouch cover made of soft, breathable fabric. Holds the pouch securely in place and discretely conceals from view. Can be worn for exercise, intimate times or all day, every day.
My Heart Ties: Sexy ostomy pouch covers for intimate moments.
Ostomy Secrets: Ostomy undergarments and wraps.
The Phoenix Ostomy Support System: An ostomy appliance belt that conceals and supports and ostomy pouch as well as provides peristomal hernia and leakage support.
Ostomy Questions and Concerns
Always call your doctor or local hospital if you need immediate attention.
ConvaTec Professional Services Department Nurses are on staff as a resource for information, questions, instruction, problem-solving and ideas. Samples of their ostomy products can be requested.
1-800-422-8811
Available Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) & Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Hollister Customer Care Department E.T. nurses are on staff as a resource for questions, information, instruction, and ideas. Samples of their ostomy products can be requested.
1-888-740-8999
Available Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time)
Mail Order Companies for Ostomy Supplies
American Ostomy Supply
1-800-858-5858
13400 Lakefront Drive, Earth City, MO 63045
Allegro Medical
1-800-861-3211 7 am to 5 pm Arizona Time, Monday through Friday.
Web orders may be placed 24 hours a day.
Best Buy Ostomy
1-866-940-4555 Monday-Friday 7:00 am – 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
450 Hillside Dr Ste 200, Mesquite, NV, 89027 USA
Bruce Medical Supply
1-800-225-8446
411 Waverly Oaks Road, Suite 154, Wotham, MA 02452
Byram Healthcare
1-877-902-9726
Edgepark Medical Supplies
1-800-321-0591
Fax: 330-425-4355
1810 Summit Commerce Park, Twinsburg, OH 44087
Liberty Medical
1-800-208-1057
10040 S. Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Ostomy Care Supply
1-866-207-5909
Parthenon
1-800-453-8898
3311 West 2400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Torbot
1-800-545-4254
1367 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910
