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 & J-Pouch Support Group.

kenc | @kenc | Nov 27, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good question, Ken. I wonder if @duckduck2020 @tucsonguy @miriam57 @dideon @katydid77 @pjebp @engelee may have tips..." + (show)

Brava Lubricating Deodorant.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 27, 2021

In reply to @kenc "What do you use to reduce odor and lubricate the pouch?" + (show)

Good question, Ken. I wonder if @duckduck2020 @tucsonguy @miriam57 @dideon @katydid77 @pjebp @engelee may have tips about how to reduce odor and lubricate the pouch.

Ken, what are you using now to help with odor and lubrication?

kenc | @kenc | Nov 25, 2021

What do you use to reduce odor and lubricate the pouch?

kenc | @kenc | Nov 15, 2021

In reply to @duckduck2020 "No there is not . I sure wished v someone could tell me why . I..." + (show)

It seems almost impossible to find a doctor reporting that another doctor botched the surgery.

Karen | @duckduck2020 | Nov 15, 2021

In reply to @kenc "Lifting heavy loads may cause it to start protruding." + (show)

I understand that but I do nothing . My wife and son do everything . I try to help but I have no muscle mass left so here I go

kenc | @kenc | Nov 14, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Oh no, DuckDuck. I’m so sorry that the protrusion has returned after the repair surgery. Is..." + (show)

Lifting heavy loads may cause it to start protruding.

Karen | @duckduck2020 | Nov 13, 2021

It is non reversible ! Permanent

Karen | @duckduck2020 | Nov 13, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Oh no, DuckDuck. I’m so sorry that the protrusion has returned after the repair surgery. Is..." + (show)

No there is not . I sure wished v someone could tell me why . I have asked other surgeons and they don’t know why. They all say that is it was done right .

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 13, 2021

In reply to @duckduck2020 "I had my ileostompy like last May in that time I went through adjustments but now..." + (show)

Oh no, DuckDuck. I’m so sorry that the protrusion has returned after the repair surgery. Is there any explanation why this is happening?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 13, 2021

In reply to @miriam57 "Hi. Well I stopped Carbo/taxol after 6 rounds the end of April. Everything had shrunk or..." + (show)

Oh wow, Miriam. That must’ve come as a shock. I’m so glad that surgery was available to remove the tumor. I’ll be interested to hear what you learn at the appointment next week if you’ll need further systemic treatment.

Is the ostomy temporary or permanent?