I got marked for surgery, having it on Monday 5/5, Because of indintation from colon being out with J pouch surgery, They marked it just right of my belly button at same level. I will have it above my waist line. Got Hollister samples and everything , the waffers go over my belly button. Is this going to be a problem? Anyone else like this? I think I need it one more inch to the right. ET nurse said it should be in muscle wall and not too far to the side. Please help!!!!!!!!

Ricky, relax! I use hollister floating flanges and they go over my bellybutton a little bit. No big deal You can either keep the tape there, or cut it beforehand. I just leave it, it doesn't really bother me.

Hi Ricky,

I am surprised that they have positioned the mark where the wafer would overlap your belly button! I would say that yes, you will certainly have problems with keeping it in place if it's placed there. You need a flat, crease-free area to prevent potential leaks. I would get back in touch with your ET nurse and voice your concerns. My stoma is placed 2 inches to the right and 4 inches below my belly button. I can't imagine having it practically on top of my belly button, that would be a nightmare to take care of.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Shell

Thanks sooooo much for getting back. Chelsea it's not the tape that bothers me its the waffer sticky part. Shell thanks, You girls seem to have a lot of space between your belly buttons and your public bone area. My wife says I am short waisted. If I went below my belly button, I would almost be wearing it, and it would hang on my D---. I am going to move the dot over and try to tell My surgeon monday morning. I left a message for my ET, Has not called back though. Going in with urology group first so I don't know if I will be conscious enough to remember. Chelsea you always sound sooo relaxed. Your pic is also very relaxing. Thank you. Ricky

Ricky, my stoma is very low even for a girl, but I really do prefer it this way because it doesn't get in the way of any of my jeans or skirt waistbands. I wear my bag at an angle across my tummy so that my underwear supports the whole bag. It stops me from feeling lopsided and spreads the load more evenly when the bag fills. I really hate it hanging down my leg.

If you are short waisted then you may need to wear something like the Pheonix belt to support your bag. You wear it horizontally around your waist and it offers great support and discretion. I agree with you that is does need to be moved over even if there isn't room for it to sit lower. Here's a link to Pheonix's web site:

http://www.ostomysupportsystem.com/testimonials.html

I think that you should keep trying your ET nurse and if you don't get any response before tomorrow ask the nurse on duty in urology to page the hospital's ET or your surgeon. I've had them come up to other wards for me if I've asked.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow and keeping everything crossed for a smooth operation and even smoother recovery.

Take care.

Shell

Thank you Shell. Funny at 2:30 am this morning while I was up in the bathroom , dieing, I looked for that . Found on on Allegro Meds. Called to order it today but hours are M-F. I will have Vickie order it Monday or Tuesday. I agree. Don't know why I have not heard back. Do you get an emergency number to call after surgery. It seems like everyone has no trouble getting ahold of their nurse. I am remarking myself today. I will ask to see someone befor cysto. And try her tomarrow. Maybe she doesn't get her messages on week ends. But what if I have a Problem? Thank you for thinking of me. I am going to Church now, will light a candle, one for me and one for everyone on this board. Being in a lot of ****, seeing a lot of ****, makes me hate this world. But reading and talking to the people on this board, helps me say, I can live in it if they can. God bless Chelsea, She is only 18? She made me cry. I have been very emotional lately. Hormones you think? Not. Have a Wonderful and blessed Sunday Shell, and everyone!

Ricky, things are different on this side of the Pond and here on our island they are not even the same as in the UK. We have an ostomy nurse who works soley with hospital patients and another who takes over in the community once they are discharged. My friend Marlene is our community nurse and is on call 24/7. However you should be able to access your ET nurse once you've been discharged from hospital over there too from what I've read.

I really don't know how you people cope with all the red tape and insurance and such as well as having to deal with your illnesses. Here we pay contributions to our local social security for our health care and don't have to pay for anything or fill in any forms or such on admission to hospital, just the usual medical admission stuff. We no longer have to pay prescription fees here and I have never had to pay for any of my ostomy supplies.

I suppose every system has it pros and cons though because we have horrendous waiting lists for treatment and surgery unless it's deemed an emergency.

Sorry for waffling on. Good luck tomorrow.

Take care

Shell

Ricky, don't re-mark it yourself! It sounds like it's in the wrong place where it is, but there are some anatomical requirements for where the stoma goes (one is that it does have to go through rectus muscle--she was right about that) that means that it really does need someone trained to do it.

Re: availability of ET nurses, here's my experience (from Mayo). I saw the ET nurses once before the surgery, then in the hospital each day until I was discharged, which was on a Saturday.

At Mayo, there's no ET nurse in the hospital on Sunday, so I'm not completely surprised that you can't get one on the phone today. But I wouldn't worry that this means you won't be able to get them when you need them in general. I had a follow-up appointment in the ET nurses' office two days after my discharge, so I could change the barrier with them watching to be sure I did it correctly. I don't live near Mayo, so since then when I've had questions I am able to get them on the phone during business hours, which has been sufficient so far. They also gave me contact information for certified ET nurses in my local hospitals in case I really run into trouble.

It's natural to be anxious about this before the surgery. I would be firm with them that it needs to get straightened out before they put you under. But don't do it yourself!

Take care and good luck tomorrow!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charlotte Gilman,

Ah ricky I didn't realize it was that much on top of your bellybutton. Yep, that could be a problem But hey, problems can be fixed.

And if they can't move it over more, you could always have your bellybutton removed.

Joking. Good luck!

Ok I wont mark it myself. I know I got more muscle then that. Used to have a good six pack when I was in body building competitions. The word used toooooo. Back in 1987. I think that is why I have so many creases. As if fat grew over the muscles. Thanks Chelsea. I did think if they remove my belly button that would solve it. Charlotte, I will take your advice and let them know first thing, it is hard because it is not settled. Thanks everyone, going to do the bathroom thing and then try to sleep I want to get there plenty early. You all are the best!!! Ricky

Mine is there and nothing but leaks problems daily I would talk to them also atleast they marked yours both times mine was never marked and a nightmare to take care of...

My ET nurses do not work weekends. If you have an issue off hours that you cannot triage yourself (even if it means changing the bag frequently) then you would call the surgeon. If he/she can't help, they will most likely send you to the ER.