If you’re soon to go to the hospital for your surgery, I’d like to pass along a tip I learned from my local ostomy nurse. Throughout your stay, a nurse will visit to help you learn about your ostomy and give advice on how to empty and change your appliance. Some are quite good and others, not so much (but that’s for another post!). When they visit, they always have supplies with them, and they will often leave them in your room to examine and get familiar with. If possible, TAKE THESE. Have your friends or family accidentally remove them from your room. The ostomy nurse SHOULD have all your supply management arranged before you go home, but there can be hiccups, and delays are critical in your first couple of weeks. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some extra supplies taken from the hospital, if you can get your hands on them. I had an especially nice nurse that gathered a bag of supplies for me, and it was greatly appreciated when my supplies were held up about three weeks. Don’t be afraid to ask!