Where is your stoma?

Mine is right next to my belly button so I have to put paste in it to build it up to have a level surface to place the bag. Mine is also too high. I cannot tuck my bag into my jeans since the waistband will fall right below the top of the bag and then it poofs up. I have to make the best of it so I bought a pregnancy band at Target and place it over the bag and then tuck the band under the bag which is on top of my jeans. This actually works well, I feel secure and it flattens the bag nicely so I have a smooth look unless it needs to be emptied. I fretted so much at the beginning of this ordeal but things fell into place and all is working out well. Lynn's WOC nurse was spot on.

Mine's next to my belly button too. I can tuck the end of the bag into my jeans--I wear one size up to make sure everything fits--though the end may pull out if I stretch. The bag's easy to get to, and easy to conceal, or would be if I lost some weight!

Good luck with your surgery!

Hi, I had the opportunity to "choose" a new location for my second "temporary." My first one was too high, just above my pant line. I had to buy pants that were much longer than normal and hike them up! I looked pretty goofy with hiked up pants!

Ostomy placement is very, very important, and frankly, the ostomy specialists in the hospital IMHO are not all that good about placement. When discussing where it should go, she immediately drew an X. I told her no, I wanted it lower and then she drew another X - how about here? Then I said hold off on the X's .. let's think about this. How about over here. She literally tried to erase the Xs and gave the surgeon two locations. I discussed location with my surgeon and it's almost as if whatever the ostomy nurses say, the surgeon will keep in mind what you request, if they can. I'd be sure to talk to the surgeon about your request!

I requested my new stoma be lower, so I can wear a pair of normal pants, which I can! However, it gives me a bit of trouble where my legs bend into my abdomen.

I've seen some people had them very high, like under the rib cage! I prefer mine lower, even though I have to keep an eye on it a bit more so it doesn't leak.

I think we should get 100 people to post pictures of where their stomas are and why they'd prefer them to be located differently! New website: StomaPlacement.Com!

KH,
How extent was the surgery for just repositioning of your stoma??? How long was the surgery? I have mine for another 6 months and did not even think of doing something like this.

My apologies for not being clear .. I didn't have re-positioning, necessarily. I had a temporary ileostomy, the take-down to pouch, then another ileostomy in the same place, then another take-down. Two in the same place.

However, I developed more issues with the pouch and back to a temporary, but the surgeon wanted a new location for this, switched to the left side for this new ileostomy.

I hope that makes sense! In essence this is my third ileo but takedowns in between.