Learn with Comfizz

Mini Blog Series Intimacy - 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 again, and...

Mini Blog Series Intimacy -  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 emotional, not...

**Spoiler alert... You can! Read on for the things to consider...** It is completely normal to find the idea of sports a little daunting after ostomy surgery, but the good news is, if you played contact sports before surgery or want to give it a go, you should be able to do so without a problem. It goes without saying that you should take medical advice after stoma surgery about when to start doing sports again and exercise needs to be built up gradually with the right stoma support. It is essential to build up to be more strenuous exercise and sport.

So you’ve had your stoma surgery and you’re well on the way to making a full recovery and getting back to normal life, normal life being pretty much whatever you did before your illness but with a few differences. Apart from the obvious mechanical changes your stoma imposes, there’s not much that you can’t do, that you could do before your surgery, provided you take the right measures to reduce your risk of developing a parastomal hernia. The literature shows that over 50% of those with a stoma will go on to develop a hernia within the first two years after surgery (Boyles 2010. McGrath et al 2006, Thompson 2008). What exactly is a parastomal hernia? When a stoma is...

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...

Understandably, when people first discover Comfizz’ stoma supportwear, they often have questions they would like answering before they consider buying. They also often don’t know that you can get certain Comfizz garments on prescription. In today’s blog post, I am going to answer a number of those questions for you. Some questions are ones I also had myself when I first discovered Comfizz back in 2011 when I had my surgery for my permanent ileostomy, which was done via a large incision down my stomach. Will it stop my stoma working? No, it won’t. If you have issues with your stoma not working when wearing the garments, it may be that you have the wrong size. The only time I...

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...

Living with an ostomy can be a big challenge in itself, but doesn’t mean (when the time is right) giving up on adventure. Many people with ostomies continue to push the limits of their physical abilities, engaging in extreme sports that test endurance, strength, and resilience. While challenges exist, proper preparation and adaptations make it possible to participate in high-adrenaline activities. Here’s a deep dive into some of the most exhilarating sports and how they can be adapted for ostomy users. 1. Skydiving: Freefalling with Confidence Pros: Skydiving is an adrenaline-pumping experience that offers a feeling of total freedom. With proper gear and preparation, having an ostomy does not automatically disqualify someone from skydiving. Cons: The extreme pressure changes and...