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Intimacy With A Stoma Blog Series 5 of 5 If you're single, thinking about dating, or recently back on the scene after stoma surgery, this one's for you.The short version: yes, you can date with a stoma. Many thousands of ostomates do, successfully and happily. Online Dating You don't need to mention your stoma in your profile It's a medical detail, not a personalitytrait. Focus on who you are. 🩷 When to share: When you feel a genuine connection and things are progressing toward meeting or intimacy. 🩷 Some ostomates do mention it early:  and find it works as an effective filter. The people whorespond positively are the ones worth your time. The Conversation The key mindset: confidence is contagious....

Intimacy With A Stoma Blog Series 4 of 5 Body confidence after stoma surgery doesn't return overnight. It's a process,  not a switch. Andit's one of the most important parts of reclaiming intimacy. Start With Yourself Look at yourself.  Many ostomates avoid mirrors after surgery. Gradually getting used to how yourbody looks now, in all its scarred, changed, surviving glory, is a powerful step. Touch and explore. Reconnect with your own body. Notice what feels good, what feels different.Self-exploration removes some of the pressure of a partnered experience. Dress for confidence. What you wear — both under your clothes and during intimate moments —makes a profound difference. Comfizz Support Wear for Intimate Moments Our 5" and 7" waistbands are slim,...

Intimacy With A Stoma Blog Series - 3 of 5 The emotional side matters most (we covered that in our first two posts). But a little practical planning can completely transform your confidence. Before Intimacy: Your 5-Step Prep 1. Empty or Change Your PouchA freshly emptied or changed bag removes the worry about fullness, weight, and leaks. This is the single most recommended preparation step.2. Time It RightYour stoma is typically most active 1–1.5 hours after eating. Planning intimacy for a quieter window, first thing in the morning, or well after a meal, makes a real difference.3. Wear Something That Makes You Feel SecureA Comfizz 5" waistband is slim, soft stretch fabric, and very discreet,  many ostomates say wearing one during intimate...

Intimacy With A Stoma Blog Series - 2 of 5  Ask any stoma care nurse, relationship counsellor, or ostomate who has successfully navigated intimacy, and they'll tell you the same thing: communication is the single most important factor.Not the bag: Not the position: Not the timing: The conversation. Talking to Your Existing Partner If you're in a relationship, your partner has been on this journey with you. But they may have their own fears — about hurting you, about what's changed, about how to respond if something goes wrong.1. Choose the Right MomentDon't wait until you're in the bedroom. Find a relaxed, low-pressure setting , over a cup of tea, on a walk, in the car. "I've been thinking about us being intimate...

Intimacy With A Stoma Blog Series -  1 of 5 If you've been wondering whether intimacy can still be part of your life after stoma surgery, you're not alone. Research shows that over 40% of ostomates experience challenges with intimacy — but here's the part that gets mentioned less often: the vast majority who seek support and take practical steps find that things improve significantly. The honest answer is: YES you can have a fulfilling, intimate life with a stoma. It may look a little different. It may require some new conversations and some practical adjustments. But closeness, connection, and desire are absolutely still yours to enjoy. Why It Feels So DifficultThe biggest barriers to intimacy after stoma surgery are usually...

Do you ever dream about a better future with your ostomy, a perfect bag that never leaks, or even a day when bags will be a thing of the past? Well, keep those dreams alive because some amazing innovations are happening as we speak.  Some developments are already here, and you may already be benefiting from them right now, whilst others are still being tested but will be well worth the wait. So let's take a look at some of the most exciting innovations happening in the ostomy appliance space.    Innovations already here  Adhesion Redefined Traditionally, one of the biggest challenges for ostomy patients has been maintaining a secure and leak-proof seal around the stoma. New adhesive materials are being developed...

Constipation is a common digestive complaint, but can you suffer from constipation when you have an ostomy? Before we discuss constipation with a stoma, lets first understand constipation is in a regular bowel. What Is Constipation? In general terms, constipation refers to infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements. Common signs include: Passing stools less often than usual, but what’s usual I hear you saying? It can vary quite a bit, but each person will come to know what’s their ‘normal. Generally, this would be between 3 times per day to 3 times per week. Straining during bowel movements A feeling of incomplete emptying Hard, dry, or lumpy stools. If you’ve ever heard of the ‘Bristol Stool Chart’ that would be...

OK, I know, it's only been a few days warm and sunny but if it's a sign of what's to come this summer then let's get ahead of the curve by anticipating the challenges and feeling prepared.  As the temperature rises and thoughts turn to summer holidays and beach days, many people living with an ostomy may find themselves feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. Whether it's concerns about body image, swimwear, leaks, or simply confidence in general, these are all valid concerns but which can all be addressed.   Let's look at how you can embrace the season with comfort and confidence. The Summer Challenge: Heat, Water & Visibility Warm weather brings joy, but it also brings sweat, activity,...

  What We Are Seeing Having served the Ostomy community for over 25 years with support wear prescriptions, we have seen a lot of changes. More recently we are noticing more restrictions on what people can have prescribed but only in certain areas, and this is leading to growing gaps in allowances from region to region, which I'm sure you'll agree is unfair and unscientific not based on needs but on postcode. Of course, we all understand the NHS does not have limitless funds but what it does have needs to be managed properly. We believe strongly in the value of support wear not only through the better quality of life it gives the user (of course you might say...