Next week I'm headed back to work after my 1st step surgery (temp loop ileo & j pouch creation) in January. I'm getting more and more comfortable with the ileo but am anxious about going back to work. My output tends to be high and somewhat thick which makes emptying kind of a process and frequent occurrence. I work in an office environment with a "desk" job. Any words of wisdow? One of my fears is actually our toilets which are automatic flush at the slightest move. With my UC I was became very familiar with the women's restroom in my office which unfortunately is not very private.
Thanks in advance.

My output is usually quite thick too. I always carry a small plastic bottle (an old mineral water bottle) with me and fill it at the sink before going into a stall to empty my bag. I sit as far back on the toilet seat as possible then I hold the tail end of my bag up so that it's higher than my ostomy and simply pour some water in. Then I pinch the end together, give a quick swish and pour it back out again between my legs. If there's still some thicker stuff in the bag I just repeat the process. I do this every time I empty and it really only takes seconds to do. I'm in and out in the time it takes most people to have a pee.

Good luck with starting back to work.

Take care.

Shell

Shell, Thank you so much for the tip. I've been "testing" it and it works like a charm!! Why didn't I think of this earlier?