It might feel odd or even scary at first. Those are completely normal feelings, says colorectal surgeon Amy Lightner, MD. But know that you can be active, wear fashionable clothes and live a happy, full life with a stoma bag.
Some people only need stoma ileostomy or colostomy bags temporarily — usually for three to nine months while recovering from intestinal surgery. Lightner says. This brings a significant impact, in my opinion, to the pediatric population. Suddenly playing sports or going to the beach can be difficult to handle. People first see an appliance and not a person. A colostomy requires a hospital stay of about 3 days to a week.
Your stay will probably be longer if the colostomy was performed for an emergency. During your hospital stay, you'll learn to care for your colostomy and the appliance or pouch that collects your stool. Your nurse will show you how to clean your stoma. After you go home, you'll do this gently every day with warm water only. Then gently pat dry or allow the area to air dry. Don't worry if you see a little bit of blood. Use your time in the hospital to learn how to care for your colostomy.
If you have an ascending or transverse colostomy, you will need to wear a slim, lightweight, drainable pouch at all times. There are many different types of pouches, varying in cost and made from odor-resistant materials. Some people with a descending or sigmoid colostomy can eventually learn to predict when their bowels will move and wear a pouch only when they expect a movement.
They may also be able to master a process called irrigation to stimulate regular, controlled bowel movements. Before going home, be sure to talk with an ostomy nurse or other expert who can help you try out the equipment you'll need. What works best will depend on what type of colostomy you have; the length of your stoma; your abdominal shape and firmness; any scars or folds near the stoma; and your height and weight.
Sometimes, the rectum and anus must be surgically removed, leaving what's called a posterior wound. In the hospital, you'll use dressings and pads to cover this wound, and you may also take sitz baths--shallow, warm-water soaks.
Ask your doctor and nurse how to care for your posterior wound until it heals. If problems should occur, please contact your doctor. The skin around your stoma should look the same as elsewhere on your abdomen. Exposure to stool, especially loose stool, can be irritating. Here are some tips to protect your skin:.
Change the pouch regularly to avoid leakage and skin irritation. Don't wait until your skin begins to itch and burn. A good rule is to empty your pouch when it's one-third full. And be sure to change the pouch before it leaks. As a general rule, change it no more than once a day, but not less than every three or four days. A colostomy represents a big change, but you will soon learn to live with it. Even though you can feel the pouch against your body, no one else can see it.
Do not feel the need to explain your colostomy to everyone who asks; only share as much as you want to. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. Reasons for the procedure Colostomy surgery may be needed to treat several different diseases and conditions.
These include: Birth defect, such as a blocked or missing anal opening, called an imperforate anus Serious infection, such as diverticulitis, inflammation of little sacs on the colon Inflammatory bowel disease Injury to the colon or rectum Partial or complete intestinal or bowel blockage Rectal or colon cancer Wounds or fistulas in the perineum.
How the digestive system works A colostomy won't change the way your digestive system works. Risks of the procedure Getting a colostomy marks a big change in your life, but the surgery itself is uncomplicated. Adjusting to a colostomy can be difficult at first, but it does not mean you cannot enjoy a full and active life. Colostomy equipment is discreet and secure, and you should be able to do most of the activities you enjoyed before.
A colostomy bag is used to collect your poo. How often it needs to be changed depends on which type of bag you use.
There are also drainable bags that need to be replaced every 2 or 3 days. These may be suitable for people who have particularly loose poos. A specialist stoma nurse, who usually sees you before and after the colostomy operation, will help you choose the most suitable colostomy equipment. Colostomy appliances are made from hypoallergenic materials to reduce skin irritation. They also contain special filters to prevent any unpleasant smells.
If you have regular and predictable bowel patterns, you may not always need to wear a colostomy bag. But as occasional leakages can happen, it's recommended that you wear a small stoma cap. You'll be given an initial supply of colostomy appliances, as well as your prescription information, before you leave hospital. You can get further prescriptions from your GP. Your prescription can either be taken to the pharmacist or sent to a specialist supplier, who will deliver the products.
Irrigation is an alternative to wearing a colostomy appliance. It involves washing out your colon with water either every day or every other day. To do this, you gently insert a small device into your stoma and attach it to a bag full of water. You slowly move water into your colon so it washes it out. The equipment is then disposed of once the process is complete. A cap is used to cover your stoma in between irrigations. Irrigation is not always possible. For example, it's not suitable for people with Crohn's disease or diverticulitis , or if you're having radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
In the first few weeks after having a colostomy, you'll probably be advised to have a low-fibre diet. This is because a high-fibre diet can increase the size of your stools, which can temporarily block your bowel.
Your doctor or stoma nurse will be able to advise you when you can go back to a normal diet.
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