Preparing for upcoming colostomy surgery-any clues on what to expect?

Posted by wifeworry @wifeworry, Jun 4, 2023

Hello - We are preparing for upcoming colostomy surgery. Anyone willing to share their recent experiences? We really don't know what to expect: recovery time, training, follow-up visits, return to work etc. Hospital is 6 hours away, so also trying to figure out how long to plan to stay. Thank You!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy & J-Pouch Support Group.

pilottd | @pilottd | Sep 29, 2023

In reply to @rioa21 "I have been dealing with anal cancer for the last year. A PET scan says it’s..." + (show)

Please see my comments on this thread from June. I had a permanent colostomy in Feb, removed anus, rectum and about 2 feet of colon. Mine was done at Rochester Mayo.

kenc | @kenc | Sep 29, 2023

In reply to @colleenyoung "@klb23 @cjay @marcy1344 @kenc and everyone else in this discussion and support group, I also want..." + (show)

Thank you. I will participate. Of course, time permitting.

zekeandbelle | @zekeandbelle | Sep 21 8:17am

In reply to @wifeworry "We go to Rochester - although wouldn't mind trying Jacksonville or Scottsdale for winter appointments -..." + (show)

@wifeworry

zekeandbelle | @zekeandbelle | Sep 21 8:18am

hi … I see that you had your CRC surgery in rochester… Can you tell me who your surgeon was? Thank you.

wifeworry | @wifeworry | Sep 21 9:44am

In reply to @zekeandbelle "hi … I see that you had your CRC surgery in rochester… Can you tell me..." + (show)

@zekeandbelle We had Dr. Heidi Chua - She was great, but pretty sure she has since retired.

browndognotnow | @browndognotnow | Sep 21 12:48pm

My sister and I have gone thru this in last year. Mine was more involved so hospital stay was 9 days. Once we got home, we each had a home health nurse come twice a week for 8 weeks. They help you with adjusting to bag, chosing the right supplies, PT AND OT. It will take about 6-8 weeks for complete healing of your stitches before u can lift over 5 pounds or so. Hopefully you have home health available where u live. The hospital set ours up. It took me around 3 months to totally get my strength back. Prayers for your recovery.

zekeandbelle | @zekeandbelle | Sep 22 11:11am

In reply to @browndognotnow "My sister and I have gone thru this in last year. Mine was more involved so..." + (show)

@browndognotnow thanks for the reply.. was the surgery done at rochester Mayo? how did you get an in home nurse? social worker arranged it? or ???

browndognotnow | @browndognotnow | Sep 22 2:01pm

In reply to @zekeandbelle "@browndognotnow thanks for the reply.. was the surgery done at rochester Mayo? how did you get..." + (show)

@zekeandbelleno the surgery was not at Mayo Clinic. I am not sure if it was a social worker, just know it was done thru hospital. I am 84 and my sister is 73. We both have Medicare, I have federal blue cross and she has a supplemental policy. There was no co-pay for the service. I would ask someone at the hospital.