Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 20, 2017

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 8, 2022

In reply to @kenc "Do they live stream it?" + (show)

Ken, the meeting is live on Zoom

applicant | @applicant | Mar 17, 2022

I am looking for advice on constipation after a colostomy (8 wks out). Can I eat kiwis? Steel cut oatmeal?
What fiber do you recommend in general.
Also once constipated what is best to eat? I know water is very imps always.
Thanks for your help.

kenc | @kenc | Mar 18, 2022

In reply to @applicant "I am looking for advice on constipation after a colostomy (8 wks out). Can I eat..." + (show)

I eat almost anything. Had to cut back on eating bake beans though. Anyway, I find drinking lots of low or no calorie liquid vitamin drinks, which helps to keep me regular. Sometimes, more than I like. 🙂

artv | @artv | Mar 18, 2022

I've been living with an ileostomy for over 40yrs. I've never had much of constipation to deal with, in fact, it was the opposite: loose stools = many issues. After years of this, a wound care nurse mentioned Metamucil to me. Wow! that was a game changer for me. I experimented with the stuff until I got the stool just the way I needed it - like 2 times a day. Been using it for several yrs.
As far as I know, Metamucil works the other way for constipation. Ask your doctor. I know of people using it for that. I hope this is useful to you.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 20, 2022

In reply to @applicant "I am looking for advice on constipation after a colostomy (8 wks out). Can I eat..." + (show)

@applicant, have you tried Metamucil as @artv suggest? Have you talked to your ostomy nurse about ways to deal with constipation?

jeffnevergivesup | @jeffnevergivesup | Apr 14, 2022

Stage 4 colorectal cancer that has now spread to my lungs! Just getting back to normal and now I’m dealing with this news. I have a tough time dealing with ostomy bags and wearing depends. My life has changed and my heart hurts for my wife. She tries so hard but I feel her getting tired of all the problems. She is focusing on work to help deal with the issues. We’ve lost our normal life and can’t figure out what our new normal is.

hope222222 | @hope222222 | Apr 22, 2022

In reply to @jeffnevergivesup "Stage 4 colorectal cancer that has now spread to my lungs! Just getting back to normal..." + (show)

I’m so sorry. I relate. When was your diagnosis? What are your treatments?

jeffnevergivesup | @jeffnevergivesup | Apr 22, 2022

In reply to @hope222222 "I’m so sorry. I relate. When was your diagnosis? What are your treatments?" + (show)

Colon cancer diagnosis approximately 4 years ago. Surgery radiation and eight chemotherapy. Then find out no activity in colon, but lungs have 20-30 tumors last scan showed slow but regular growth

hope222222 | @hope222222 | Apr 22, 2022

In reply to @jeffnevergivesup "Colon cancer diagnosis approximately 4 years ago. Surgery radiation and eight chemotherapy. Then find out no..." + (show)

Tough stuff, a lot to process and to live with. Are they ordering more chemo for the lung tumors? How do you feel?

jeffnevergivesup | @jeffnevergivesup | Apr 23, 2022

In reply to @hope222222 "Tough stuff, a lot to process and to live with. Are they ordering more chemo for..." + (show)

Yes tough to take some time. No chemo for lungs as they feel it will do more damage than good! I’m on an oxygen machine to get more oxygen in my lungs. That’s my natural treatment so far