MY CART CUSTOMER LOGIN & BILL PAY BLOG ESPAÑOL PRODUCTS SERVICES HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS CUSTOMER SUPPORT ABOUT US Search Ostomy Educational Support and Helpful Resources Living a full life with an ostomy. There will be many changes to your everyday routine after ostomy surgery, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live a full, healthy and normal life. Our specialized Clinical CareLine is a great resource for access to a WOCN Nurse (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse) for clinical questions or concerns. This can provide peace of mind should you have questions post discharge or between regular visits to your physician. OSTOMY EDUCATION BOOKLET OVERVIEW FACTS ABOUT OSTOMY EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PRODUCT SELECTION GUIDE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AWESOME OLLIE Customer Service & Product Support The Ostomy Center of Excellence can be reached at: 1-800-308-9445. Clinical Resource Our Ostomy CareLine is staffed by WOC nurses. Call our toll-free number at 1-877-902-9726 ext 43312. Caring Touch at Home™ Our program provides a wide selection of high-quality products delivered discreetly to the home. Post-Surgery Diets During a six to eight week period post-surgery, your doctor may have suggested you avoid foods that are bulky and hard-to-digest. This is done to give your body time to adjust and heal. It is suggested that you only add one food at a time after the six to eight week period so you can easily identify problematic foods. If food disagrees with you, wait a while and try again. Your body needs time to adjust to its new functions and recover from surgery. Food Blockage Chew your food thoroughly to help assure that you get the full nutrient value, and so that it is more easily digested in your stomach and small intestine. If a large mass of food, especially high fiber foods, is passed into your intestines, it could become lodged at a kink or narrowing in the intestine and cause a food blockage. If the lodged food does not move forward, it could cause you to become dehydrated as your small intestine pulls water from your body cells into the intestine lumen in an attempt to rid itself of the blockage. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance A portion of the water and salt you ingest will be lost in your fecal output because your small intestine will not reabsorb these nutrients. Your small intestine will assume some reabsorption of water and salt with time. Illeostomates are more prone to dehydration especially with vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating, as these conditions result in water loss. Along with the water that you lose, you also lose salt and other chemicals, or electrolytes, that keep your body in balance. If you are experiencing with staying hydrated contact your healthcare professional immediately. Problem Solving: Colostomy and Ileostomy Are you experiencing problems with excess gas? Are you experiencing problems with odor? Do you have difficulty emptying or disposing of your pouch? Do you have difficulty with stool or fecal material not dropping down in pouch? Are you experiencing problems with liquid drainage? Problem Solving: Urostomy Do you have problems with mucous clogging the valves? Are you experiencing problems with your night drainage tube? How can you wash pouches and night bags? Does your tubing become discolored? Travel Tips However you travel, be sure to anticipate your needs. Here are some travel tips to keep your journey relaxing. Create a detailed list of all the supplies you use; catalog numbers, sizes, description, cut size (a copy of your last Byram invoice will do the trick). Pack extra supplies but do not overload. While traveling, should an emergency arise, simply call us at 1-800-308-9445 for assistance. You can also look in the yellow pages under “Surgical Supplies.” Do not panic if you cannot find the model of appliance you are currently using; many brands are similar and can get you through this time. Always pack your supplies in a separate suitcase or carry-on and never allow this bag to leave your side. When traveling by car, avoid leaving supplies in your trunk, as excessive heat may cause wafers or other items to melt. Appliance wear-time may shorten in hot climates, so be prepared to change more frequently if needed. When traveling on planes, remember the restrictions on liquids for carry-on luggage. Put liquid deodorants or adhesives in your checked baggage or put some into less than 3 oz. travel containers. If you are going to be swimming, you may need to change your barrier more frequently. You may secure your barrier by “window framing” it with waterproof barrier strips or tape. The Transportation Security Administration offers a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA Cares can be reached toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. The most common complaint of all travelers is a change in bowel habits due to different foods, unfamiliar water, schedule and time changes. Ask your physician for a prescription for diarrhea before leaving home. Drink only bottled water if possible and try new foods one day at a time. Travel Communication Card Compliments of the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. This is provided to travelers in order to simplify communication with federal Transportation Security personnel and airline flight attendants, at those times when you wish or need to communicate in a non-verbal way, as is your legal right. This is not a “certificate” and it is not a “pass” to help you avoid screening. Please trim to wallet-size and laminate if desired. The blue color is important, as it is a “flash-card” developed by the TSA so their own officers will recognize it and be guided to treat the traveler with discretion and sensitivity. If laminated in a double-side manner, it can be used ‘blue side out’ during security screening, and the white side out when communicating non-verbally with airline personnel. UOAA Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights YOU MATTER! Know what to Expect and Know your Rights Ostomy and Continent Diversion Patient Bill of Rights: This Patient Bill of Rights is a tool produced by United Ostomy Associations of America for patients to advocate for their own care. To achieve a desirable quality of life, a person needing ostomy or continent diversion surgery must have access to high-quality care in all healthcare settings and should receive appropriate education and support to promote optimal adjustment to surgery. Counseling and Care in the patient bill of rights should be provided by a trained medical professional such as a Certified WOC/OstomyNurse/OMS/OCA. For more information, please click on the following link: https://www.ostomy.org/bill-of-rights/ Additional Support You will find additional ostomy support and educational information at the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) website. People who have had, or will have surgery, their caregivers, family, friends and medical professionals are invited to attend and benefit from lifelong learning and emotional support. Use this link to find a UOAA Affiliated Support Group (ASG) in your area; then, contact the group leader for exact meeting locations/times and more information. Please note the four closest support groups in your search area will appear, therefore using your zip code is recommended to narrow the search. Disclaimer: The recommendations and information above should not be considered a substitute for personal medical advice or diagnosis. Before making any changes, consult your health care professional. Explore our Ostomy Product Catalog Along with our product offering, our catalog offers valuable information about insurance, education and more. VISIT OUR ONLINE OSTOMY CATALOG Video Listing How to Effectively Refer Patients to an Ostomy Medical Supplier How to Navigate Insurance & Get the Ostomy Supplies You Need Affordably What to Expect from an Ostomy Medical Supplier Enteral Nutrition Home Health Diabetes Overview CONTACT USOWENS & MINORCAREERSWEBSITE PRIVACY POLICYNON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICECLIENT BILL OF RIGHTSCMS SUPPLIER STANDARDSHARDSHIP WAIVERHIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE Copyright 2021 Byram Healthcare Centers, Inc. 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