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Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy
It takes time to become comfortable with an ostomy — a surgically created opening in your abdomen that allows waste or urine to leave your body.
Many questions may run through your mind as you practice good ostomy care and live your life. It can help to talk to others who have been there. Perhaps you'd like to ask others questions like: What can I eat? What about leaks? Can I go back to work after colostomy? Can I ride a bike with an ileostomy? Will everyone figure out I've had urostomy surgery just by looking at me? What about intimacy?
Welcome ostomates. Let's talk frankly about living with an ostomy. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of ostomy do you have? How's it going?
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Ditto! Medicare and Health Net allow me to receive
a 3 month supply of bags, pouches, rings, lubricants, cleaning supplies, and anything else I want to try as long as my wound care/ostomy nurse and PCP Doctor approve.
I see ostomy nurse for appt on Wednesday. And I will get this straight. How much does the average person lose with a new colostomy? Madge
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1 ReactionI lost quite a bit of weight after my surgery, but I was in rehab and had other issues. The food was not the best and then I was sent to another rehab. This new place worked with me to see what I was able to eat and even went to the grocery store to get food for me, so I could gain weight. When I left there I had gained back most of the weight I had lost at the other place. I still do not weigh what I once did, but my clothes fit and no one says I look thin, just I look healthy, so I must be doing something right. The average person, if there is such thing, depending on the surgery, how sick you were before the surgery, or how long it takes to find out what foods the body can tolerate, it may be months or years to gain your weight back, if you ever do or want to. I feel that if I am healthy and the doctor is happy, then I am happy.Good luck, mlmcg
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2 ReactionsIn 2013 my husband's aorta dissected and he had three emergency operations. During the third one he suffered a spinal cord injury that paralyzed his legs, making ordinary elimination impossible. My husband self-caths (I help him) and has an ostomy. To help him with his ostomy I had to learn sterile technique, about wafers and bags and brava strips. We have a routine now, and this makes daily life easier.
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1 ReactionHi @harriethodgson1
I noticed your insightful participation in the Caregivers group, and want to sincerely thank you for sharing about your husband. Having an ostomy can change one's own physical perceptions, and it is encouraging to know that you are supporting him in his care. May I ask how your husband coped with this lifestyle change? Did you learn the necessary techniques while in the hospital?
I learned some techniques from stoma nurses and others from my husband, a retired Mayo physician. Together, we're a caregiving team. One problem I haven't quite solved is getting enough sleep.
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1 ReactionI love your phrase, "Together, we’re a caregiving team." Kudos!
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1 ReactionWelcome to the club!mlmcg
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1 ReactionThank you Kanaaz. This is my 21st year as a family caregiver.
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2 ReactionsThis is not a reply actually, but a question. I am new to this website so not sure how to write a question. At the age of 90, I am a new owner of a permanent colostomy. In December, 2017 I had emergency surgery for colon cancer, thus I am learning how to cope with this new lifestyle.
The question I have concerns amount of stool. I don't seem to have as much as I did before the colostomy, is that normal. At first, of course, I didn't feel like eating but now a little over a month later, I am eating more normally but my stool seems less.
Is this normal?
Thank you,
Gerda