OSTOMY ASSOCIATION OF ALBUQUERQUE
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions arise for many reasons:
- Early hospital discharge leaves little time to learn routine care of your stoma, appliance (pouch), and skin.
- Stomas change over time for various reasons. Skin or stoma issues can arise.
- Even if your ostomy is temporary, you will need to manage it yourself for several months before it can be reversed.
Finding Resources:
- The major Ostomy product manufacturers provide concierge services. You can speak with people trained to offer product advice and suggestions often to provide samples of their products for you to try.
- Your ostomy nurse is a good resource and your ostomy product-supply company often has a nurse available by phone for advice.
- Ostomy support group members discuss products, solutions to problems, provide educational speakers, and may have members with your same type of surgery who can visit you.
- This website provides phone numbers for local companies, support groups, current events, and valuable links to the United Ostomy Association of America with scores of information on ostomies.
Common Worries:
Will anyone know I'm wearing a bag?
- No. And no one will know unless you tell them. You often meet people who have ostomies and you don't even know it.
Will it be smelly?
- No. Modern pouch equipment, used correctly, prevents odor.
Will I be able to wear normal clothing?
- Yes. Pouches today have a low profile and are not noticeable under most clothing. Some adaptations may be necessary for swimming and other sports.
Will I need to modify my life?
- Maybe. Depending on your type of ostomy, the extent of surgery, and your general health; some lifestyle modifications may be needed. For example, you will need to discuss with your doctor the maximum weight you should lift.
After I recover will I be able to...
Play Sports?
Work?
Swim?
Travel?
Take Baths?
Make Love?
Have a Baby?
- Yes to all!
RESOURCES
Major Ostomy Supply Manufacturer’s Concierge Services:
COLOPLAST
Help with choosing a product:
1-855-385-3991
Website:
www.coloplast.us (With many educational sections)
Coloplast Care Program:
1-877-858-2656
Email:
Website:
CONVATEC
Help with choosing a product:
1-800-422-8811
Website:
www.convatec.com/ostomy (With many educational sections)
ConvaTec Me+ Program, samples and clinical support:
Email: Hayley.CVTConcierge@convatec.com
Ph: 1-877-585-0470 opt 4
FAX: 855-584-8240
CYMED – MicroSkin products
Help with choosing a product:
1-800-582-0707
Website:
HOLLISTER
Help with choosing a product:
1-888-808-7456
Hollister Secure Start Program:
1-888-808-7456
Website:
www.hollister.com (With many educational sections)
MARLEN
(Help with choosing a product):
1-216-292-7060
Website:
NU-HOPE LABS (known for hernia belts and custom systems and more)
Help with choosing a product:
1-800-899-5017
Email:
Website:
Medical Equipment (Ostomy) Suppliers in Albuquerque:
HME Specialists: (abbreviated for “Home Medical Equipment”) Headquarters Albuquerque with branches in Clovis, El Paso, Farmington, Gallup, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Roswell, Santa Fe, and Silver City.
Albuquerque HME Osuna Location at 611 Osuna Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 With showroom.
Cust. Svc.: ph:
505-888-6500
Toll Free: ph:
866-690-6500
FAX:
505-888-6505
Website:
Albuquerque HME West Side Location at 10801 Golf Course Road, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Same numbers as above.
Phil’s Pharmacy (Phil’s Pills) at 5510 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
(Carry some ConvaTec Ostomy Supplies and Accessories)
Cust. Svc.: ph:
505-265-6868
FAX:
505-256-9196
Website:
National Seating and Mobility
(formerly Sandia Surgical, Inc.)
Medical Supplier with home delivery
(Carry some Coloplast, ConvaTec, and Hollister Supplies for ongoing or OTC purchase)
4431 Anaheim Ave. NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Cust Svc.: ph:
505-883-2817
Toll free:
(800) 753-1589
FAX:
505-355-6991
Website:
(Educational Links about Insurance and Medical Issues)
Mail Order Supplier/ Distributor Companies:
Byram Healthcare
Cust. Svc. for Ostomy:
800-308-9445
Cust Svc.: ph:
877-902-9726
FAX: ph:
866-811-4500
Email:
Website:
www.byramhealthcare.com/ostomy
Edgepark Medical Supplies
Cust. Svc. Ostomy Specialists: ph.:
800-321-0591
Website:
Parthenon Inc.
Cust. Svc.: Ph:
800-453-8898
FAX: ph.:
801-972-47734
Website:
Shield Healthcare
Customer Service: ph.: 800-675-7342
FAX: ph.: 800-578-9484
Website:
Ostomy Supply Resources -- Lower Cost Alternatives
Local Resource:
The Ostomy Association of Albuquerque: (OAA) maintains a supply closet of donated supplies, at no cost, to people who need them. Since the supplies are donated, the available supplies vary. These supplies are helpful to people who have emergency needs, or want to trial a different product. It is not a good source to fill regular long term needs. To make an appointment and get directions contact the OAA by voicemail or email.
Manufacturer's Assistance Programs: All the major manufacturers sponsor programs for people without insurance coverage. They vary in the amount and length of time they offer assistance and you must complete a form to qualify.
Convatec: 800-422-8811
Coloplast: 877-781-2656
Hollister: 800-323-4060
National Groups: (Provide supplies but require shipping and handling costs)
Osto Group: 877-678-6690
Ostomy 211: www.ostomysupplies.ostomy211.org (emergency supplies, donation requested)
Kindred Box: Kindred Box is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the U.S. dedicated to improving the lives of people living with ostomies. They distribute donated supplies to help uninsured or underinsured individuals. Resource on Facebook, and www.kindredbox.org
Lower Cost Options:
Best Buy Ostomy Supplies: 866-940-4555
Mercy Supply Collaborative: 888-637-2912
Ostomy4less: 877-678-6694
Parthenon Ostomy Supplies: 800-453-8898
Stomabags: 855-828-1444
Ostomy Support Groups in New Mexico:
Ostomy Association of Albuquerque: Monthly meetings.
Meets at Cherry Hills Library, Albuquerque
For information call voicemail: 505-830-2135
Email: oa.albuquerque@gmail.com
Website: www.albuquerqueostomy.com
VA Ostomy Support Group: for Military Veterans
Meets at VA Hospital, Albuquerque
For information call voicemail: 505-265-1711, Ext. 5171
Ostomy Support Group of Southern NM:
Meets in Las Cruces, NM
Ph: voicemail: 575-532-4399 or 575-649-8249
Hospital Contacts in Albuquerque for Ostomates:
Lovelace Medical Center Ostomy Nurses:
505-727-8250
Lovelace Medical Group – General Surgery--Ostomy Clinic:
Outpatient Clinic
505-727-7096
Presbyterian Main Hospital Ostomy Nurses:
505-841-1251
Presbyterian Wound and Ostomy Care Center:
Outpatient Clinic
505-823-8870
University New Mexico Medical Center Hospital (UNM) Ostomy Nurses:
505-272-9098
University New Mexico Outpatient Ostomy Clinic:
505-272-2336 Monday - Friday
Veteran’s Hospital (Veteran’s only) Wound/ Ostomy Nurses:
505-265-1711
Ext# 5232 or 5171 or 4411
Websites We Recommend:
Colorectal Cancer Alliance:
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation:
www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org
Inspire:
United Ostomy Association of America:
Vegan Ostomy: