Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

Colostomy crash course for me. In 2013 I had a perf colon, emergency surgery removal of 1/3 of my colon & a temporary colostomy. The hospital in VA setup a bag that attached to a wafer & had to be emptied and cleaned. Initially I developed a blister under the wafer. Thankfully someone else with a colostomy recommended using witch hazel on my skin when I changed the wafer. Wow what a relief, no more blistering. When I got back to Jacksonville I received sample bags from suppliers and found a disposable bag. Another thankful find! Not only did it hold up to the FL heat (I think it was something called an active lifestyle bag) but it didn’t leak and when I was out all I had to do is remove/dispose of the soiled bag and slip on a new one. Definitely made life easier and more livable. I just couldn’t understand once I found the desposible bag why a hospital wouldn’t start with this type of bag instead of dealing with the risk of spreading germs using a reusable bag. Of course the most obvious thing is the inability to “plan” when a bag would become full. Again disposable bag to the rescue. Two other items that I couldn’t do without are the little wipes, one helps remove the sticky to get the wafer off and the other is a skin protector you rub on before applying the wafer.

I also found out my insurance company specifically excluded ostomy supplies. Of course this is totally illogical since it’s not like you can just not use them. I did call the supplier who initially told me it was covered when I ordered my first month of supplies. The supplier told me they have a special phone number and website to use to get the supplies for a lower price if insurance didn’t cover them. So, please do NOT rely on the supplier, contact your insurance company. I also googled and contacted several ostomy manufacturing companies either via their website or toll free number. I received some wonderful samples of different types of bags, carrying pouches (similar to a makeup bag), scissors to trim etc. They were quite generous with the freebies they sent and it helped to see what was available not to mention to have a handy little supply kit to keep in the car.

My ostomy was reversed by the wonderful doctors at Mayo Jax after 6 months. I sure did learn a lot in a short time. In 2017 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis so either a jpouch or colostomy will probably be in my future.

Witch hazel. I cannot remember when I last heard that name. If it worked, use it. I was given a powder, which has helped me when I have an area that hurts, a little raw. I did not know just how fortunate I am until I read your posting. My insurance pays for all of my ostomy supplies. I know that the ostomy suppliers are good at sending you samples.

IF you have to have a forever ostomy you know what to expect. Depending on how your doctor writes the order can make a difference in how your insurance looks at the order and may cover your supplies. You could have to fight with your insurance company each time you place an order, but that would be worth not being stuck with the entire cost.

mlmcg

Hello. I had urostomy in Dec.2017. Meeting with ur ostomy stoma nurse before surgery helped immensely. Took a few months to get to "know" my attached stoma and pouch jewelry. A few accidents but now it's going well. National ostomy month is in October. So lets celebrate .

Hi! I had a bowel resection and colostomy on September 21 after two weeks of hospitalization and antibiotics. I was otherwise healthy with no medical history, and then on September 8 I had severe cramping, felt a shift, got a wave of cold from head to toe and started sweating profusely. Turns it I had diverticulitis, and probably diverticulosis for the past couple of years.

Anyway, as frustrating as being in hospital for 20 days was, things went relatively well considering the various complications I faced, and I was very well taken care of by a wonderful team of nurses.

Since I’ve been home, nearly a week, it seems that nothing has gone right.

I have a crease and my appliance leaks from there. I just met with my ostomy nurse yesterday and she put on a convex wafer for me. It’s holding up much better, but there is a bit of poop in my belly button. At least it’s not flowing out like with the flat wafers. I’m low on supplies, so I’ll wait until this evening to decide if it needs changing very badly.

On Sunday my surgical incision began weeping quite a lot, and I went to the ER where I was prescribed antibiotics.

Yesterday I had my first follow up with my surgeon. He took my staples out. A few hours later my incision began to separate, and it was back to the ER. From the time we noticed the separation to when I was treated it opened up significantly more. They packed it and put steri strips across as well as a sticky gauze dressing. I have an appointment tonight with the nurse care clinic for them to change out the dressings if need be. I suspect they will need to be as the weeping is soaking through the dressing.

My surgeon plans for me to have a new vacuum dressing applied in the next couple of days. I had one in hospital. He says this one will be a little higher quality so it’ll be less bothersome.

Anyway, I’m pretty frustrated overall. I’ve been in fairly good spirits the whole time, but near the end at the hospital and now at home I think my brain is catching up with what’s been happening, and I’m having a tough time. I’m not much of a crier or a complainer, but I’m so frustrated and a bit scared. And frustrated for my fiancée who has taken on so much and is just as helpless as I am with how to deal with all this new medical stuff. She’s so stressed. We both are.

I already see a psychiatrist regularly, so I do have that support. It’s just that this is the first time ever in my life that I’ve not had any say in anything to do with my body. I can’t do anything to really stop the incision from separating. I’m not good enough at changing appliances that I feel comfortable with the knowledge that I’m going to have to change the whole thing on my own for the first time probably today or tomorrow.

The plan is to have reversal surgery in about four months. Hopefully everything heals up well and it can happen.

So that is where I’m at. Not the greatest place and brand new to the world of medical issues and having zero control over what’s happening.

Thanks for listening.

Prayers and support for good healing and having this resolved. I am facing surgery for both bladder and colon in another month or so. I am ok now and on antibiotics so I don't have an infection before then. Looking back, would you do anything differently? I had 36 stitches for lower bowel removal a couple of years ago and healed ok. Feel lucky about that. Not had a bag then but am now facing two bags in another month or so. Any idea why these complications arose? I am 71 so not a spring chicken but am an old rooster. It will get better.

I don’t think there is anything I could have done differently other than miraculously realize I was sick sooner and know to demand antibiotics at the hospital, but that’s just not how it works.

It’d have been nice if the surgeons hadn’t waited two weeks to do a third CT scan that prompted them to perform emergency surgery that same night, but that’s just timing. I sort of wish I had pressed harder for the surgeon to be sure about taking my staples out yesterday, but the incision was a nice clean line of healing, so who knew?

What ifs and maybes can’t change anything now. I’m glad we have a plan to implement over the next few days that should kickstart the healing process again. That’s about as much as I can ask for now, I think.

Good luck with your own upcoming surgeries, and thanks very much for your good wishes.

It sounds like most people have had urgent medical issues before having the surgery. I am fine now and have been for the past 2 months being on the low dose antibiotics. If I am "healthy" now then why have the surgery? I have been like this for 2 years with off and on infections. Surgeons say to do while healthy but two medical providers who are friends say to hold off as long as possible. I am not getting any younger. I have read lots of case histories and everyone is different as well as talking to people who have had the surgery in the support groups. Still a quandry for me so will think and pray about it.

which hospital did you have your surgery?

I live in Ontario, Canada. Just the local hospital.

I am working with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Others have had this surgery by University of Wisconsin Madison. Also saw doctors at John's Hopkins in Baltimore and was in the hospital in Salisbury Maryland, my local hospital. Basically the doctors were surgeons so they saw surgery as the answer even in a non-emergency situation. Not an easy decision either way and don't want to die.