Ulcerative Colitis (vlog#5) - How I change my ileostomy bag

[pushpash77]

You're amazing - really caring and gorgeous to upload this vid. It is informative and calming. All the best with the op.

[IrisUCVlog]

Thank you! My whole purpose for doing these videos was to hopefully help people the best way I can with my own experiences so if they are helpful, I've accomplished my mission :)

@pushpash77

[snowwhitetotcher]

When you first got the bag, was it weird to not actually, er, poop? I imagine not actually taking a dump would seem really strange at first.

I have to get this procedure done sometime within the next ten years (probably less), as I have very severe UC. I'm a little hesitant, but I also know it will be for the better. I just am very curious about what I will be experincing and what other people have gone through. :)

[IrisUCVlog]

@snowwhitetotcher- That's a very good question. To be honest, I didn't think about it because I was so happy to have a functional ileostomy and that I no longer had the horrible symptoms of UC. I only thought about it after my surgeries were done and how weird but beyond cool it is to be able to say : 1) you no longer have a colon 2) didn't poop for many months(hehehe) 3) have a man-made organ in your body 4) beat a terrible disease ! :) Honestly, go for it, you'll be happy you did !

[snowwhitetotcher]

@IrisUCVlog Thanks for the response! You made my day. :)

One of my biggest worries when I got diagnosed was that I'd lose some (all) of my feminimity. Your vids have helped me realize that I can still be stinking cute and have IBD. :) So thank you. Your upbeat attitude is contagious.

[IrisUCVlog]

@snowwhitetotcher- your comment made me smile BIG TIME! thank you so much for that and I'm glad my videos helped you :) xx

[persianboy153]

OMG i have so much mixed feelings.. im happy for you =D please if you can get back to me..

O>G

[K26SMOOTH]

Does the bag get in the way when u exercise?

[IrisUCVlog]

@K26SMOOTH I've never exercised while having my ileostomy because my 3 surgeries were 3 months appart and I couldn't do any hard physycal activity. But one you have an ileostmy for a while, I would assume working out is the same as your everyday life : you just tuck the clip of the bag in your pants and cover it up with your t-shirt and it should be just fine! :)

[K26SMOOTH]

@IrisUCVlog thank you for the reply

[Hercnh]

any problems with dehydration since the take down? If yes what helped?

[IrisUCVlog]

@Hercnh I do get dehydrated way faster and I MUST make sure that if I eat a lot of something specific (like fruits or a certain amount of vitamins or supplements) I must drink A LOT of water to prevent crystals from forming in my kidneys and also to prevent urinary tract infections. With a missing colon, the body absorbs the water less and makes it way harder to eliminate toxins! But having a j-pouch and have no symptoms of UC is totally worth the extra water intake :)

[cmichael67]

thanks for posting this. i had to change my moms appliance tonite and i paused the operation and watched the vid first. i had no idea what to do with that powder lol

[IrisUCVlog]

@cmichael67 I'm so happy to hear that I helped you out with my video! It's the only video I ever did of me changing my appliance and I wasn't sure if it'd be helpful to others! I hope it went well!!!

[leia0stevens]

just had the op and your videos have been great, its so much easier than i thought it would be and your videos are very positive!

[IrisUCVlog]

@leia0stevens Thank you! I'm honestly very happy to know that my videos are actually helping people! :)

[pakichick444]

This was a really good demonstration video. Good Job Iris! It's so funny that I posted a demo video with a mock stoma model. Watching yours gave me flashbacks!! On the heels of having flashbacks from some of my latest vids!!! I know exactly what you mean about the emotions of the last changing and the last chapter of having the ostomy. You put yourself out there to show this. Props to you!!! Your friend, Nadia

[IrisUCVlog]

@pakichick444 - :) thank you Nadia! and thanks for your videos and your help! I watched your last video yesterday, hehe funny thing that mock stoma :P I'm off to the hospital now...I'm kinda scared but I know it'll be just fine. In a few hours, I'll be an official J-Pouch user!

[pakichick444]

@IrisUCVlog OMG YAYYY!! I will be cheering for you!! Keep me posted! At first its not pretty, but after you get the hang of it, You will be fine! Im sure of it!! WOOHOO!! I will be thinking of you and praying. Hang in there girl!!!