Question

Thanks Caty.

I don't think I will worry too much about it now then. 

I use the Hollister soft wafer.  I find them very comfortable and hardly noticeable.  I think by the time it heals I won't or I will forget I m even wearing it.  Right now  I feel where it is  bit tender.  That's all.  I talked to the surgeon about it but she was not too concerned as it is as you can see not all irritated and red or anything. 

So it's good to know it will be OK.  

I have to give it time.  So far I am happy with my decision. 

My pouch did not like me and this is the first time in many years I can feel that I can get better! 

I had almost constant urges to go..... And from day one after surgery it's finally gone.  I have slept through every night since and can eat anything and everything!  

Richard. 

Richard, glad to hear you are adjusting well! My understanding is that you only use powder if you're having a skin issue. Don't forget to put skin barrier liquid over the powder and always end with the liquid, not powder. Also, change more often if skin around stoma is irritated or broken down; change less often if skin under barrier is irritated (because you don't want to be ripping tape off irritated skin.) In January, I will have had my perm ileo for a year and I am still discovering what works best for me.

Thank you. 

I can go 4 to five days without a change but I am gonna do a few 4 day changes just to look at it and see how the healing is coming along.  Also to take pics for the surgeon to see.  I don't want to change bags in the office.  I will be in a hurry and when I am I  will leak or something.  

The skin is not really irritated per say.  I can feel it but as you can see in the pic it's just pulled away.  

I will make sure it's nice and clean before I put the wafer on.  I really don't have powder or barrier cream yet.  All I have is the paste to fill in and I really don't need that cause it's pretty smooth... Or a level surface for the wafer.  She made sure while in surgery it would be smooth and did a darn good job of it.  It was all lumpy bumpy before.  Glad she did that! 

I appreciate the advice from all who have had one for awhile. 

Yes.  I don't know if I am adjusting well.  I sure do notice I don't have any problems in there anymore and I am grateful for that.  

I can go most of the day and forget I have it and feel it as it is time to empty!  Before I felt chained to the toilet.  That has completely disappeared.  That.... Is what feels so good and tells me I did the right thing. 

Now I have to get my weight back.  That I can tell will take awhile.  I can eat anything and everything now and have been but only gained half a pound in three and a half weeks.  I have been skinny all my life so I think that is gonna take awhile to kick start the weight gain.  I hope I get it back.  My energy will come back if I do. 

But so far I can tell this is right.  I am healing and feeling much better quicker than the Pouch formation. 

It took me 9 months after that just to get back to work.  I was so weak and never really felt right.  But it feels right now. 

Richard.