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My name is Maggie and I received my ostomy at the age of 16. Originally, I had gone in for a resection of my terminal ileum and colon due to Crohn's disease. A few days after this surgery, I started having severe pain and it was discovered that my newly-connected intestines had fallen apart, leaving me with peritonitis. I was brought into emergency surgery and woke up with an ileostomy.
How did you feel before having ostomy surgery?
I had mentally sort of prepared myself for an ostomy, even though I was only heading into surgery for a resection. I had seen friends who had ostomies and had seen how much relief they had from it, so I always kind of expected I'd end up with one. I was still terrified of the logistics of living with one, though!
How do you feel now after ostomy surgery?
I feel grateful to have the ostomy now - so much so that I made it permanent in 2019. I spent most of my childhood worried about what I ate and where a bathroom was. I learned that I had so much more freedom with the ostomy.
Tell us about your hobbies. Any new ones since surgery?
I took up gardening in my adult life, loving to grow flowers. Its been a great source of physical activity but also stress-relief.
What do you know now that you wish you knew before having surgery?
I wish I had known that ostomies could be a positive outcome and not a last-resort. It makes me wonder if I would have asked about just getting the ostomy in the first place, rather than having to go through multiple surgeries, peritonitis, and sepsis to get there!
What are your favorite ostomy products from Convatec?
I love the Esenta line, particularly the adhesive remover. It makes cleaning my skin a breeze and wish I had used it those first few nights in the hospital after surgery. My skin was so tender around my stoma, but if I had the Esenta Adhesive Remover, it would have saved me so much pain!
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Featured Articles
10/10/2024
Travel
Traveling with an Ostomy: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can...
Read more Read more28/06/2026
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with an ostomy
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has neve...
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Everyday life
Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater compli...
Read more Read more27/06/2026
Everyday life
Sleeping with an Ostomy
‘Learning’ how to sleep again after ostomy surgery may be odd. But when you have a stoma, your old sleep positions ma...
Read more Read more28/06/2026
Everyday life
Travel
Managing Humidity and Extending Pouch Wear Times
For people living with an ostomy, humid climates and certain situations may cause concern in pouch wear time. The me+...
Read more Read more27/11/2024
Activity
Everyday life
Reducing Risk of Parastomal Hernia
You may have heard about a complication known as a ‘parastomal’ hernia, an abnormal bulge around the stoma. These tip...
Read more Read more27/06/2026
me plus Community
me+ Community Stories - Taylor
My name is Taylor Mitchell-Ross and I'm in my 30's. I had ostomy surgery due to severe idiopathic constipation and un...
Read more Read more27/06/2026
me plus Community
me+ Community Stories - Maggie
My name is Maggie and I received my ostomy at the age of 16. Originally, I had gone in for a resection of my terminal...
Read more Read more27/06/2026
me plus Community
me+ Community Stories - Meghan
Instagram Star, Meghan Brown, Shares How Easy Pouch Removal is with ESENTA™
Read more Read more5/03/2025
Relationships & Intimacy
Intimacy with an Ostomy
Tips to enhance intimacy with your partner and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
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