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My name is Maggie and I received my ostomy 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 ostomy surgery?
I had mentally sort of prepared myself for an ostomy, even though I was only heading into surgery for a resection. I had seen friends who had ostomies 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 ostomy surgery?
I feel grateful to have the ostomy 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 ostomy.
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 ostomies could be a positive outcome and not a last-resort. It makes me wonder if I would have asked about just getting the ostomy in the first place, rather than having to go through multiple surgeries, peritonitis, and sepsis to get there!
What are your favorite ostomy 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
Featured Articles
10/10/2024
Travel
Traveling with an Ostomy: 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 more10/17/2024
Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with an Ostomy
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 more10/17/2024
Travel
Ostomy 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 more12/2/2024
Diet
Everyday life
Living with an ostomy: Hydration
Drinking more is one of the simplest ways to improve your health and well-being. These tips can help you stay one step ahead of dehydration.
Read more12/20/2024
Fashion
Fashion Tips for Men Living with an Ostomy
After ostomy surgery you can wear the same clothes as anyone else – and do it with style! Here are some fashion tips for men living with an ostomy.
Read more12/20/2024
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with an ostomy
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has never known life without an ostomy.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Ostomy Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had ostomy surgery is what other people will think.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Fashion
Returning to Work with an Ostomy
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.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Back to school with an ostomy
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 more11/19/2024
Activity
Exercise After Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, ostomy surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
Read more12/20/2024
Everyday life
Bathing or showering with an Ostomy
Showering or bathing with an ostomy should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bathing or showering with an ostomy.
Read more12/19/2024
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 ostomy.
Read more