How To Take Care Of An Ostomy After Surgery

This article covers how to lead an active and healthy life after ostomy surgery. Indeed, you will need to be mindful of all the aspects involved in ostomy care.

The stoma after surgery

Managing your ostomy and stoma in the first few days after surgery can be challenging, but it will be nothing more than just a learning curve. During this time, you will learn about managing waste evacuations and, more importantly, the use of ostomy pouches. You will need to stay in the hospital during your initial recovery period. During this time, an ostomy care nurse will run you through the processes of emptying and changing your ostomy pouch.

The persistent appearance of a stoma includes its red or pink color and a moist look. It protrudes a little from the surface of the abdominal skin. During the first few days after surgery, it will have swelling, which will make it a bit larger. The swelling will subside over time, and it will settle down to a permanent shape. In general, a stoma is much like the inside of the mouth.

If you have an intestinal ostomy, your stoma will not function for a couple of days after surgery. After a day or two, you will start passing out stools through it. Initially, the consistency of stools will be more liquid, but it will thicken over time.

If you have a urostomy, your stoma will start functioning immediately. The color of urine you pass out will be reddish at the start, but it will settle down to its natural color in a few days.

Going back to work after ostomy surgery

You can go back to work during the recovery time, which is a six-week period. However, you may not be fully fit to work for full hours yet. You may want to talk to your employer regarding your condition and ask them to reduce your working hours. Tell them that you may need frequent bathroom breaks during working hours. You will also need to make sure that you have all the necessary supplies to help you with the ostomy care during working hours. You may want to discuss with your coworkers to help them understand your condition.

You will also need to pay attention to your clothing if you want you to conceal your ostomy pouch from others. Generally, you will want to wear high-rise pants and little loose clothes to avoid strangling your ostomy pouch.

Socializing with an ostomy

Having to wear an ostomy bag doesn’t mean that you cannot socialize. You can move into your social circle and interact with your friends and family pretty much like you have been doing before surgery. You will undoubtedly have a few concerns regarding keeping your bag and its effects as discreet as possible, but it is just a matter of time before you will figure out the way to prevent your ostomy bag from becoming an interruption. Over time, you will become confident enough to stop thinking about your ostomy bag at all.

 

What are the Stoma Complications a Patient Could Face?

Stoma and ostomy surgery are not painless. Apart from the pain, patients have to face some complications. These can right after the surgery or a few days later. Well, the relaxing part is that these are not serious or problematic. You can resolve these by following some precautions or adjusting your routine on a new pattern. Moreover, your hygiene habits and routine can solve your stoma related complications. Well, your diet can help you in fixing the stoma and peristomal skin issues.

The following are some complications a stoma patient could face:

Peristomal Issues

Having irritation, redness, or itching in the skin around the stoma is one of the most problematic things. A patient feels uneasiness and discomfort when he/she has itchy peristomal. It can create a problem for the stomal bag attachment, adhesive adjustment, leakage, and additional skin damage.

Unhealthy peristomal skin has various reasons that have given below:

Contact of Solid Waste Discharge with the Skin

Sometimes, the feces stick to the top of the ostomy pouch, it can create a problem for the skin. This can lead to the redness and itching on the peristomal. Therefore, an ostomate should clean and wash the bag when it gets half full. Moreover, the thick discharge can be a problematic thing; thus, diet can play an important role in the thickness and looseness of the solid matter. As a patient, make sure that feces do not touch your skin.

Ill-Fitted Stoma Pouch

The fitting of the ostomy pouch around the stoma is an essential point. If your bag is loose or not in the right location, then it can create complications for the skin and stoma.

Therefore, before buying the stoma appliances, you should measure the size of your stoma hole. You should buy the ostomy pouch that can fit on it. Moreover, the adhesive and gluing method is also necessary for the appropriate fitting of the tools. With time, the size of the stoma opening will change. If you gain weight, it will become bigger and vice versa. However, you should check the measurement from time to time. Thus, you have to change the fitting size of the ostomy appliances according to the new measurement.

Skin Allergies from the Stoma Products or Appliances

There would be a few specific products or tools that are allergic to your skin. Therefore, avoid such things. Sometimes, you use a medicated soap or deodorant, and that is a problem for your skin. Thus, you should give up on the specific product immediately. The same is the case with the stoma appliances. Sometimes, an adhesive or wafer causes a reaction on your peristomal skin. However, you need to identify such items and do not use them again.

Leakage of the Discharge

An ostomate has to face leakage of the discharge when the stoma pouch is not fixed/fitted. The loose appliance can leak the waste matter in the form of liquid. It could be loose motion or urine. Well, this is a primary issue of the irritated and itchy skin. Thus, the correct fitting of the ostomy bag/pouch is necessary for ostomates.

Bleeding from the Stoma

Some ostomates face stoma bleeding. It does not happen to every patient, but some of them have severe bleeding problems from the stoma. Sometimes, blood comes from the sides of the stoma, but sometimes, you feel bleeding from the opening of the hole. When you see blood coming from the ditch of the stoma, then it is a problematic thing. However, bleeding from the around of the stoma is not a big deal. An ostomate faces such issues because of the fitting of the appliances or unsuitable products. Thus, in case of severe bleeding, consult your doctor or nurse.

Accessorize Your Medical Supplies

Ostomy procedures aren’t always the easiest things to adapt back to life once you’ve gone through the process. In fact, many patients report having to “relearn” the basics of life that normally would’ve never crossed their minds. From things like what you eat, when you choose to hit up the restroom, and even how you shower, life can be shifted in an unexpected way.

Now, I’m not saying everything is altered beyond repair by any means. I’m pretty sure everyone would say that’s being dramatic about the situation. Nonetheless, there’s a period of “relearning” the basics that may sneak up on patients if they weren’t prepared ahead of time.

This situation is a valid one, especially for something that is still relatively unknown to most people. So, let’s jump into a proper answer for basic ostomy care. Whether it’s your Hollister ostomysupplies or some other big name brand, it’s important to know how to care for your stuff and begin a new routine.

First off, people sometimes wonder if they can use extra to hold onto their pouching system. Waterproof and other sorts of strips are available that are elastic and easy to use, so it’s important to exercise your options. They can even hold it all in place when swimming or running or when needed if your midsection is larger. Sounds like a flexible range of products to help fit whatever need you’re currently facing.

We’re also often asked if adhesive removers are essential. What’s important to note is that  if your pouching system can be gently removed, then you don’t need any sort of adhesive remover. You should use it if your skin is weak and tears easily or if you want to clean the sticky residue off your skin, but since it feels oily and contains alcohol, a good portion of people find it uncomfortable. And we get that.

Another thing to remember is that once you use some adhesive remover, you should be washing your stoma area very well with water and a mild or non-scented soap to remove any oily coating on your skin. You don’t want that to stick around, so you want to rinse your skin well with warm water and dry it completely.

Caring for your ostomy supplies should be simple and easy to learn so long as you pay attention to your body, what it’s telling you, and if your supplies feel at all uncomfortable. You should always feel quite comfortable with your pouching system on, so always tell your health care provider if you don’t feel comfy in your own skin and supplies.

Traveling With Your Ostomy

If you are part of the majority of people with a stoma, then you and your doctor decided on a stoma to give you a better life. Most people find their life restricted because of their disease or condition that damaged their intestines. The ostomy procedure is done in hopes of their life no longer being restricted to the comfort and familiarity of their own home. The ostomy gives the patient the freedom back that they deserve.

One such freedom that most patients felt they could not enjoy was traveling. Traveling can be stressful for someone suffering from Crohn’s disease (or any other bowel disease) because of the uncertainty of their bowels. With a stoma, people feel much more comfortable outside their own homes. So they finally get to enjoy travelling again. If you are planning a trip, you should consider these tips for traveling with an ostomy.

Firstly, you should calculate the amount of supplies you need to take, and then take extra. Ostomy supplies are great because many of their products can be sold in bulk. ostomy supplies also arrive quickly in case you are planning a last minute trip. Pack things like extra ostomy bags and skin barriers. You should take adhesive remover, especially if you are staying more days than you usually switch bags. Take deodorant sprays or wipes (whichever you prefer) in case you have a leak while you are away from the hotel or a rest stop. Just make sure to stock up on everything you may need!

If you are going to be traveling on a plane you may need to look into TSA guidelines and what type of products can be carried on with you. Of course, pack most of your ostomy supplies in your stored bag, as there are no restrictions on líquids and gels. But sometimes you may only be allowed a carry-on bag. And even with your main products in stored luggage, you probably want a smaller emergency kit on you. You can take ostomy scissors on your flight if you have medical documentation from your doctor. Remember, the scissors edge can be no longer than 4 inches, but it is something. Some people may just opt for pre-cut bags, though, to avoid taking scissors altogether.

Lastly, make sure you are keeping up with your daily routine while you are on your trip. It is so easy to fall out of routine when you aren’t at home. So make sure to keep up proper hygiene to keep your stoma happy during your trip.

Bladder and Bowel

What exactly is an Ileostomy? An Ileostomy, also known as restrictive lung or restrictive airway, is a surgical procedure that creates a big opening in your abdomen to allow your bowels to expand to a greater capacity. It is created by bringing an artificial opening in the stomach (the story) so that fecal wastes can be emptied into an opening in the abdominal cavity. The story then closes after a short period so that you cannot pass gas anymore. Ileocolon's are usually made to accommodate people who have undergone a cesarean delivery or those who have had major surgery like a bypass or a tummy tuck.

The pouch in which the fecal matter flows becomes known as the ileum. When the intestine and colon are separated during colonoscopy, the surgeon may create polyposis. Polyposis is the collection of abnormal white or yellow cells in the feces or the abdominal wall. These abnormal cells can become part of your intestine or an abdominal wall if there is an injury to your intestine, cancer, or trauma. In addition, polyposis can occur due to other causes like trauma, aging, and polydactyly.

You can undergo a direct ileostomy where the doctor makes a big opening in your abdomen through which he or she can introduce the stoma with a tube. The doctor then attaches the opening of the pouch directly to the lower opening of the anus. There are different types of indirect ileostomies wherein the pouch is created in the back or the side of your anus via a hole that is created in your anus via a plastic tube.

Patients opting for a direct Ileostomy undergo a more extended recovery period than patients having a Stoma In Situ procedure. Since the pouch is created in your anus, it takes longer to stretch out its final size and shape. Patients usually opt for this option when they feel the recovery process is slow and do not want to undergo painful surgical procedures like a Laparoscopy for sampling or samples.

Patients who have Crohn's disease have to undergo a long period of dieting and counseling before they are given a permanent Ileostomy. The main reason why patients receive a long-term Ileostomy is due to chronic inflammation of their intestines and a significant amount of time it takes to eliminate feces. Patients undergoing a Crohn's Ileostomy must consume liquids as they are being prepared for surgery and observe a liquid diet. Patients also experience side effects like ulcer formation, rectal bleeding, and diarrhea. They may also experience difficulty in passing urine and in maintaining a stable blood sugar level.

Colostomies are often the solution for people with an ileostomy or a colostomy due to excessive gas production. Patients who undergo a Colostomy have their bowels and their anal sphincters entirely blocked by a large scar that forms in the abdomen. As a result, it becomes difficult to produce feces, and people with a colostomy or a colon with a large intestine are required to consume liquids like water or juice or take medications that help indigestion.

A person having an Ileostomy can have either a short pouch or a long pouch sewn across the abdomen. The pouch is made at the back of the patient's stomach. The surgery is generally done during major surgery. The surgery is done under local anesthesia, where a tube is first inserted into the small intestine so that the surgeon can remove the section of the bowel that is obstructing the large intestine.

After the surgery, the abdominal wall is folded over and stitched with sutures. This store or pouch is then pushed back into the small intestine. An extra layer of the abdominal wall is also placed over the pouch system after the stoma is removed not to come out again. An Ileostomy is thus the removal of part of the large intestine to allow the passage of stools that cannot pass via the normal small bowel or stomach pouch system.

Doctor with an ostomy

As a doctor I see so may different people and so many different sickness’ and injuries but never though I would also be one of those people. I’m a doctor, primarily a surgeon of all kinds of procedures. My life changed one day when I had a very serious snowboarding accident that left some significant damage to some specific internal organs. I can still remember the first thought I had. I thought I had just ruined my career as a doctor because of this injury, but that was not the case by a long shot. In fact, this injury brought me to my new primary field, which is ostomy surgeries. 

Some close friends of mine and me went on a trip to a nearby ski and snowboarding lodge. We have a regularly scheduled time every year we make this trip. It has turned into a tradition. The day was beautiful out, and the snow was falling, creating a nice fresh layer of powder to shred. We all went straight to the black slopes, which are the most difficult ones but also the most fun. We did a few runs without any problems. It was not until about the seventh run that I had my accident. I was going down the slope on a new section of the mountain. It had some rails to grind, and I could not help myself. This was a mistake. I went on what is called a snake. This rail twits and turns and then drops to another. I did the first one, and it was shaky when I made the transfer to the second rail. I missed my footing and body-slammed the rail, my helmet fell off, and I got a concussion. I passed out after about thirty seconds. 

When I came to, I was in the back of an ambulance being rushed to the emergency room. I immediately began telling them what had happened and what I was feeling. I was pretty sure I had ruptured my large intestine. When we got to the emergency room, my suspicions came to fruition as the doctor helping me told me I would need an ostomy procedure. More specifically, a temporary colostomy procedure. 

When my procedure was done, I was told that I could get back to work relatively soon, and I scheduled an appointment for six months out to have it reverted. In those six months, I soon came to realize that I wanted to help people like me who have had an accident and would need the same procedure as I had. When I told my work, I wanted to specialize in ostomy surgeries and why I wanted to, they were astounded and supportive. I’m glad to have been able to make the switch. In the time I have switched to ostomy surgeries, I have helped countless people. My patients tell me it is easier to get this procedure done when they see and hear about my ostomy. 

I am glad to have helped so many people in my new field. I feel mightily rewarded every time I hear them say it was easier to get it after I tell them about my procedure. It makes them easier to connect with and help them. As an ostomy surgeon, I have seen some pretty gnarly injuries but have been able to help them overcome them. 

What to Know About life After an Ostomy

Are you about to become an ostomate? If so, you may wonder what life is like after. This is a life-saving surgery, but you might wonder whether or not you can be intimate, exercise, or eat the foods that you love after this. Usually, leading a life that’s normal after healing does take a bit, and usually, it can be a bit different, but you can over time. An ostomy of course, usually is permanent, and it is a huge surgery, but it can save your life. It can be scary, but we’ll answer some of the biggest question you might have. 

Will others be Able to Tell 

Some people feel shameful or worried after having an ostomy.  It can be a bit hard for you to figure out if others can tell. The simple answer is that there are usually accessories and supplies that you can help you feel secure, discreet, and clean when you’re out of the house, or at home. Most people can’t tell unless you tell them. The cool thing too, is that ostomy pouches do take odor into account and have charcoal filters.  They also have panels that are comfortable too and keep the pouch quiet too. 

Will I have to Change My diet? 

If you’re worried about your diet after an ostomy surgery, just know that it’s very rare to have one of those unless it’s absolutely needed. Most don’t need a dietary change, but a lot of it is based on what you may need. Some foods might be cut out if you feel like they’re harder to digest, but most don’t need major dietary changes. Some people are able to eat the same foods as before, and it can be doable no matter the surgery. Ultimately, you need to just test it and see if it’s good for you. 

Can I exercise After? 

This is probably a big question if you’re someone who was exercising hardcore beforehand. Many who have a lifestyle that’s active may wonder if they can after they get the ostomy. Usually, this is based on the situation and type of surgery, and how much recovery that you do. Usually, you can get back to the activities that you were doing before once you get doctor’s approval.You also will need to stay away from rough-contact types of sports though, since that can impact the surgery in a lot of cases. But if you were running, biking, lifting, or even doing yoga, chances are you’ll be able to do just that, however, it may not be right away, so discuss this with your doctor before going into this once again. Usually, after 6-8 weeks when it’s healed up, the doctor will probably give you the okay to start running or biking or mild exercise. You will probably need to take things easily though, since you were out of commission for that long.

 The same goes for going back to work, returning to school, and the like. Sometimes, you can’t right away, especially if the surgery was extensive, and you haven’t recovered yet. If you were running around or doing heavy lifting before you got the stoma surgery, you will need to adjust, t and talk to the employer about doing so as well, since it could possibly be a problem over time. For most though, they don’t’ have to worry about it possibly completely changing their life. Going back to normal life and feeling good about this does take a little bit of time, but it can be handled and done if you want to.