Dont panic. There is a lot of info on the internet. Type in bladder and bowel foundation. Ring colostomy assoc. Having a stoma is no big deal. It may be temporary for three months to let the intestines heal and will be reversed.
I have opted for an ileostomy for incontinence. It will at least give me control over the toilet visits and I can ditch the nappies! Be brave, you will be fine.
Thank you, x
Just about to have the reversal procedure . Things I wish I had been told ?
That you can bath and shower totally easily as the bag and surrounding fixture is totally waterproof . That don't squeeze all the air out of bag after emptying other rise you will 'pancake ' ( snail seepage around where bag sits ( I have two piece bag) . Insist on getting right bag asap . Don't be patient just keep asking for help . . Don't come out too early . I did just to get a good nights sleep but ended up going back in the next day as I just wasn't able to manage stoma bag .. Eventually found the right one !
Write things down . I was told too much the next day and I was still groggy after surgery and made bad mistakes .. Using baby wipes instead of just water on my stoma . Look at your stoma ! Don't be frightened of it . It's just you . You cant get germs .. It's your own germs already . Eat early otherwise your ' producing 'all night ! slowly introduce all foods .im eating everything now ! Much nicer than the bland low residue diet . If it gets to explosive have some mash potatoes or apple sauce or peanut butter to thicken . Much better than Imodium . if you gee to have a low residue breakfast . Don't be frightened to introduce new foods . Drink plenty of water .. Hot or cold with lemon. Seems to work for me ... Had no acid at all . Hope this helps ?
Question: I've always used the flushable wipes to clean the area especially when I'm at work or in public and not having a rag and water available. Why do you say not to use them?
maybe not a big deal to you but to me...well it is crap!!! I have had it since 2013 & i don't hardly eat so that I don't have diarhea (i have it constantly...bags lift & so I now wear a size 4 possibly smaller..my son bought a new house for me, when we found out last year that I now have leukemia & I am so immune compromised that I cannot do anything, even go out to eat..if i do, I have to bring my food home & eat since it creates stool immediately...i do not have a stomach, I have a feeding tube (which I don't feed since it has started creating so much liquid stool) so don't say that it is no big deal unless u r so old you don't even understand what is happening to you!!!
What is normal after surgery and what isn't
post op recovery
What was the best thing you did for yourself to help your recover from an ileostomy surgery?
What has brought you to the Ostomy Lifestyle community?