Rectum resection with Ostomy bag, New to this, what can I expect?

@terrydalecasino
I saw a product on TV that will help you while you recover and heal.
It is a donut shaped cushion that you can sit on and ease the pain.
Its from a company called
ERGONOMICS.
Look them up online and see if this will help you.
I had the same thing when I was in the nursing home and it helped quite a bit.
Good Luck 🤞🍀🤞🍀🤞🍀!

I’ve found that watching YouTube videos from people who share their personal experiences with ostomy bags can be very helpful. Hearing their practical tips and seeing how they manage daily routines gave me useful insights and reassurance. You may find these videos helpful as well.

Highly recommend not drinking carbonated beverages. They can turn an ostomy bag into a nasty balloon that makes emptying it problematic.

@jaspithill1946
Hi
This is Jon from the UK. I have had an ileostomy due to completely different circumstances from your case so I won't make any comments about what you can expect from that. Other commenters have made much more pertinent comments than I could.
I can give you some advice regarding stoma bag management ( which I had no idea was coming before my emergency surgery) so I really had to learn about this very quickly. I have experienced all the downsides of having a stoma (ill fitting bags due to magical appearance across the abdomen of new skin creases, leaks, sore skin, and frequent bags changes,etc).
There are two words you should imprint on your brain now in my opinion: one is DRY, the other is PLANNING.
I have found it is impossible to attach a new stoma bag to skin that has the tiniest hint of moisture, either residual water after showering or from weeping sore skin. Trying to attach a stoma bag in these situations is doomed to early failure (at least in my experience). Obviously this is not the place to go into details of replacing a stoma bag but you should follow the manufacturer's instructions religiously regarding the removal and replacement of stoma bags but please always make sure your skin is really dry before attaching the new one.
Regarding PLANNING, just believe me trying to replace your stoma bag when it is active is one of the most frustrating things you will ever experience (and messiest). You will probably establish a regime when you know how soon after eating or drinking you can expect your stoma to be active and by the same token when it is likely to be less active. Time your stoma bag change to coincide with the less active period.
There are many other words of advice out there on his to live with a stoma, but I just hope these two bits of my experience help you avoid my mistakes.
And, last but not least, every stoma nurse I have encountered here in the UK has been wonderfully kind and helpful. I sincerely hope you have the same experience over there - your stoma nurse should become your new best friend. Good luck with everything.

@terrydalecasino
Dear @cici80 I had a polyp in my ANUS and RECTAL AREA the size of (2) plums put together. That and I also had a fast growing cancer ♋ at the very end part of my SIGMOID COLON about (8) millimeters on the end.
After looking at my CT SCAN and seeing the cancer ♋ on my SIGMOID COLON and how what appeared to be root like lines going to the POLYP in my RECTUM AREA I just told the surgeon to take out everything that "COULD" turn into cancer ♋! He asked me if I was sure? I just said to him bring me the forms to sign.
The cancer ♋ was isolated in the SIGMOID COLON and had not gone down to my ANUS or RECTAL AREA yet, but seeing that it was a fast growing cancer ♋ that's why I made the decision I did. Besides, I needed to get the large POLYP removed anyway!
So he removed (15) centimeters of my ANUS AND RECTUM and (8) millimeters of my SIGMOID COLON WHERE THE CANCER ♋ ACTUALLY WAS AT!
The pain wasn't all that bad because he gave me good pain medicine 💊.
One thing I will tell you is that it will take a while for you to get used to the 🛍️ bag. Another thing is that you will get tired very quickly. Something I haven't gotten used to yet. But then again, I have to wear the colostomy bag 🛍️ for the rest of my life 🧬!
One thing I don't recommend is getting RADIATION OR CHEMOTHERAPY because I truly feel and think that will kill you!!!!
Just make sure you have all the cancer ♋ cells removed.
I had my surgery 01/11/2021. I no longer see the doctor who performed the surgery but I still get what's called DME SUPPLIES EVERY MONTH.
DME stands for Durable Medical Equipment.
You will hear them, the nursing staff, call them an appliance. I asked the nurse, why do you call it that? And she said because it is an appliance to aid in the discharge of stool.
I've gotten used to the bag 🛍️. But I haven't gotten used to getting tired so quickly all the time. Just take it slow and easy. One other thing!!!!!!! Tell everyone that you cannot sit normally. That's where the "REALLY BAD" PAIN comes in. Everybody is going to expect you to sit right away and you won't be able to do it. Just tell them "NOOO"!!!!!! IT IS "TOO" PAINFUL!
You're just going to have to favor one cheek at a time. It will be uncomfortable as hell, but that's what I had to do for quite a while until things started to "HEAL" UP!
I wish you all the luck 🤞🙏 and prayers. I will also ask GOD 🙏🙏🙏🙏 to help you the way he helped me.
I hope this is helpful to you.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY HE WATCH OVER YOU AND PROTECT YOU ALWAYS!!

@cici80, thinking of you as you recovery from surgery. I look forward to hearing from you when you are able.

@cici80

I interviewed a Connect member for a Spotlight. She had an ostomy in 1987. I think you will find her experience encouraging. Here is a link to that Spotlight:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/diving-into-life-with-an-ostomy-meet-susanbfoster/

@hopeful33250 my surgeon said it would be 3 to 5 days in the hospital. Yes, very encouraging group.

@nycmusic NPs-nurse practitioners and PA s -physicians’ assistants are especially helpful..the NP on my cancer team is easy to message and can prescribe meds when needed..they give more time whenever I see them, vary valuable team members…

Hello @cici80 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that several members have already shared encouraging thoughts based on their experiences. I would also like to direct you to a Connect support group for members who have had ostomies. Here is a link to that group,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/ostomy/
Has your surgeon indicated how long you will be hospitalized after the surgery?