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Its such a pain when you forget your phone! I will give the crackers a try xx thanks again x

Hi Ali Bali

I can remember feeling just as anxious as you, but it will get better, honestly.

You've had lots of great advice already but.as a person who had lots of leaks to start with, can I just add one more thing.  Do you warm up your pouch before applying it?  And I mean, really warm it up, not just a wee rub between your hands.  I put mine in a towel on the radiator for several minutes or, if the radiator isn't on stick it under my oxter (armpit) for several minutes.  Then, once it's applied, hold your hand over it and apply gentle pressure for at least one minute.  Since using this technique, I've only had 1 minor leak (caught it quickly) in the last 12 months.

For thickening output I usually have 1/2 banana.  I also tended to stick to several small meals in the early days.  Can eat anything now (unfortunately lol)!

I hope that this helps and that you can get to the theatre and really enjoy it.

Good luck.

Thanks so much BlueBlue i will give that a try x

Good one BlueBlue
My nurses taught me to show it some love. I only washed Whoopi with water, dried all the other skin with a fan or hairdryer let some air at it unless Whoops was firing on all cylinders. Then warm the pouch place it on and hold ( show it some love) I’d check the window of the pouch making sure she wasn’t squashed and press all around checking the pouch was well stuck. I always had a travel triple mirror to check the edges. 
I liked those little steamed puddings as well they thicken and taste lovely. 
xxx

Hi Artsie, did you take your bag off to shower? Ive been keeping mine on but washing stoma with warm water when i change bag x

Definitely left it on, whoops could not be trusted plus I was told not to get shower gel on my skin as it could make my skin oily causing an issue sticking. I showered every other day when I changed Whoops. So my bags lasted two days. It worked for me. I used to wash out the opening to freshen it up. Lots don’t but I found it quick to do using an old isotonic bottle. I was fast in and out. Have to be careful not to fill too high as it can get behind the stoma and cause a leak. 

We all find a way that suits our life style. I experimented with everything on YouTube and articles that I read 

Emptying was hilarious I tried all ways. 

How are you BlueBlue? 

Like Artsie I shower alternate days in the evening with the bag on then change the following morning.in between I just check whenever I visit the loo as I like a nice flat bag.Initially because my rear end hurt I couldnt sit far enough back on the loo to empty it so did it standing.however now its easy to empty siting.I have never tried washing the bag opening I just wipe out with loo paper and flush.

The tips about warming the sticky part are the number one for good adhesion.

Kath

I liked a nice flat bag too. I quite miss it. Think it was easier to manage than when I had Cancer and now I’m a loo hugger.  Ha ha. Definitely no standing for me xxx

Hi Ann

I'm good, thanks.  Off to Spain for a few days at the end of the month.  Although I did the 5 hour flight a few months after surgery last year, and I managed OK, it still felt very stressful (especially after a 5 hour delay!) so this one will only be 3 hours.  I'm sure it will be fine though and I'm still quite calm thinking about it.  It's good to see that you're doing so well since the reversal - and doesn't Whoopsie look so angelic in her new avatar!  We need to see a photo of the tattoo when you get it!

Ali Bali -  I shower with the pouch on too and change it afterwards.  I just bathe the stoma with warm water, and the area that the adhesive remover reaches too just in case there's anything there to prevent the new pouch from sticking. Then dry carefully.  You'll soon be doing a change in a few minutes,

Good for you off to Spain. We were booked 4-14th  this month but we cancelled. Someone else is in our villa. My brother is coming here which will be wonderful. He lives in Spain so we FaceTime not the same as a hug though 

Whoopi  does look so sweet asleep doesn’t she I’m not sure I can have the tattoo until at least a year so I’ve plenty  of time to design it. I think it’ll be daisies for Whoopsadaisy  with entwined words with leaves. I’ve got plenty of time and looking at my scar it’s going to be big 

I will put a photo up when it’s done. I’m keeping my avatar she’s still part of me just tucked away doing her job. 
Have a lovely time in Spain 

xx