All I remember from my childhood with the ostomy was how LOUD it was. I was tortured in school from kids making fun of me for "farting" all the time in class. I assumed this was how an ostomy bag would always be, rude and gross. But then I talked to someone who has one, and they said their ostomy is completely quiet. Is this true!??! Did any of your ostomys stay silent or make a racket? Because if they can be somehow silenced, or bags have improved over the years, then I just might consider going back to one.

Mavis (my old bag) was very rude. She farted, gurgled, popped and bubbled like there was no tomorrow, particularly right after eating. She was very unpleasant at the beginning, then got quieter, then got pretty grim again as her days were numbered. It was like she was going to really make her presence felt before being murdered in the TD. I don't miss her. We weren't friends! Having said that, my friends insisted they didn't hear her as well as I did. Probably because I felt her doing her funky stuff, in addition to hearing her. I'm sure bags have improved, though. I never hear my friend's bag.

I've had my ostomy since 2001. After the first few months of adjusting, it is remarkably quiet. Once in a while it will gurgle and make noise, but it sounds no different than if a "regular" person is really hungry and their belly gurgles.

Keep in mind that there is no one on this earth more cruel and ruthless than middle school aged children. I think you would find having an ostomy as an adult a much different experience.

I had my pouch removed in 2003 (had the ostomy and a disconnected pouch for 18 months) and have been so happy since. I am no longer sick all the time (I had chronic pouchitis) I no longer take drugs of any kind (except an occassional immodium) and I am able to enjoy my life with my husband and 14 month old son (who was conceived and delivered while I have had my perm ostomy).

I know that this isn't a decision you are looking forward to and I hope that you can find a solution you can be happy with...should you find yourself considering an ostomy, please don't hesitate to contact me - I live in Boston and would be happy to meet up with you somewhere if you want to chat.

OH BOY! how loud my ostomy was! The popping was the most irritating part because it ALWAYS seemed to happen during the most silent consequences.I used to put my arm over it as tight as I could to muffle it as best I could but even that didn't work. I was constantly making excuses for the noises.And as loud as the popping/gurgling was at some points it even felt uncomfortable? The gurgling and popping was constant for me actually. Some days so bad that it made noise through a whole entire class while other days it was very low so I could only hear it. Either way it was irritating and I'm happy maria is gone.

Alicia

Chelseawzr, after reading your post in the Who We Are forum, I have a question. Have you ever visited any of the Boston drs for a second opinion? If not, I would suggest you do so before you do anything else. I'm not saying your drs were bad, but I think you should spend some time with the drs who do these surgeries all the time and see if they agree with your drs assessment.

There could be treatments and protocols that your local drs just don't know about. In my opinion, it would be worth the 2 hour drive or so to get a second opinion before you make any decisions about your future treatment.

I highly recommend Dr Patricia Roberts at the Lahey CLinic or Dr Peter Mowschenson at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

I'm in the process of getting an appointment somewhere in Boston...they messed up my surgeries REALLY bad at UMASS

I'm so sorry you had problems with your surgeries. I am very glad, though, that you are pursuing a second opinion in Boston. If there are other options for you, I'm sure the Boston drs will know about them. If there aren't, well then at least you'll know that you've researched all avenues.