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My name is Maggie and I received my stoma at the age of 16. Originally, I had gone in for a resection of my terminal ileum and colon due to Crohn's disease. A few days after this surgery, I started having severe pain and it was discovered that my newly-connected intestines had fallen apart, leaving me with peritonitis. I was brought into emergency surgery and woke up with an ileostomy.
How did you feel before having stoma surgery?
I had mentally sort of prepared myself for a stoma, even though I was only heading into surgery for a resection. I had seen friends who had stomas and had seen how much relief they had from it, so I always kind of expected I'd end up with one. I was still terrified of the logistics of living with one, though!
How do you feel now after stoma surgery?
I feel grateful to have the stoma now - so much so that I made it permanent in 2019. I spent most of my childhood worried about what I ate and where a bathroom was. I learned that I had so much more freedom with the stoma.
Tell us about your hobbies. Any new ones since surgery?
I took up gardening in my adult life, loving to grow flowers. Its been a great source of physical activity but also stress-relief.
What do you know now that you wish you knew before having surgery?
I wish I had known that stomas could be a positive outcome and not a last-resort. It makes me wonder if I would have asked about just getting the stoma in the first place, rather than having to go through multiple surgeries, peritonitis, and sepsis to get there!
What are your favourite stoma products from Convatec?
I love the ESENTA line, particularly the adhesive remover. It makes cleaning my skin a breeze and wish I had used it those first few nights in the hospital after surgery. My skin was so tender around my stoma, but if I had the ESENTA Adhesive Remover, it would have saved me so much pain!
Featured Products
ESENTA™ Sting Free Adhesive Remover
ESENTA™ Sting-Free Skin Barrier
ESENTA™ Hydrocolloid Strips (Thin Curve)
Featured Articles
10/10/2024
me plus Community
Travel
Travelling with a Stoma Bag: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime! Here’s our tips below to help make packing for your next adventure a little easier.
Read more04/12/2024
Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with a Stoma
Now that you have an ostomy, the idea of taking long trips can seem daunting. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Read more11/12/2024
Travel
Stoma Travel Tips
Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and understanding of both security rules and your right to privacy can help you avoid problems in transit and enjoy your travels.
Read more12/12/2024
Diet
Everyday life
Living with a Stoma: Hydration
Learn about the importance of hydration when living with a stoma. Our guide provides tips on fluid intake, recognising dehydration symptoms, and more.
Read more12/12/2024
Fashion
Fashion Tips for Men Living with a Stoma
After stoma surgery you can wear the same clothes as anyone else – and do it with style! Here are some fashion tips for men living with a stoma.
Read more11/12/2024
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with a stoma
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has never known life without an ostomy.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Stoma Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had stoma surgery is what other people will think.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Returning to Work with a Stoma
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – people living with a stoma are successfully returning to work following stoma surgery.
Read more22/01/2025
Everyday life
Back to school with a stoma
As your child begins to recover from ostomy surgery, it is normal for them to feel fearful or anxious about their needs when going back to school.
Read more11/12/2024
Activity
Exercise After Stoma Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, stoma surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
Read more12/12/2024
Everyday life
Bathing or showering with a Stoma
Showering or bathing with a stoma should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bathing or showering with a stoma.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your stoma.
Read more