Living With An Ostomy

About 75% of people with Crohn’s disease require ostomy surgery at some time. Some consider having an ostomy to improve their lives, while some have to get it due to the crucial condition of their bowels.

What is an ostomy?

An ostomy is an intestinal diversion that results in the surgical creation of an opening in the abdomen. The surgeon pulls the end of the bowel out through this opening after disconnecting it from the diseased section of the GI tract. Depending on several factors, an ostomy can be permanent or temporary.

The two main causes of bowel ostomies are Crohn’s disease and colorectal cancer. The most common type of ostomy is ileostomy. Your surgeon creates this ostomy by pulling the small intestine out through a cut in the abdomen. You will need to wear an ostomy pouch over the stoma to manage stool evacuations.

While the idea of getting an ostomy seems frightening, it tends to improve the quality of life. There is no pain associated with the passage of stools through the stoma. You do not need to bring a drastic change in your lifestyle after having a stoma. You can eat your favorite foods, engage in physical activities, and go to your workplace as usual. There will be a change in the way you use the toilet, though. But you will get used to this routine, and it will become your second nature.

Self-care

Hospital staff will help you learn a lot before and after surgery. The good thing is that taking care of an ostomy is not a burden.

The most crucial thing to understand is the right use of the ostomy pouch. For this purpose, you will need to make sure that you are using the right ostomy pouch. It will depend on the location of your stoma and the frequency and consistency of your fecal wastes. Depending on the type of ostomy pouch you use, you have to make sure to empty or discard it at the right time.

An ostomy pouch comes with a wafer or skin barrier. It is an element that has a side laden with adhesive. This side goes against the abdominal skin. A skin barrier has a hole in the middle, which allows the stoma to pass through. This way, the stoma opens into the pouch. Ensuring a proper seal between the skin barrier and the peristomal skin is necessary to prevent any leakage of the stomal output. You will learn the use of an ostomy pouch from your ostomy care nurse.

Diet and routine activities

If you had undergone ostomy surgery to treat Crohn’s disease, you will have to follow some diet restrictions after surgery. Your doctor will tell you when to add foods to your diet plan. If you have a colostomy, you will need to avoid high-fiber foods. Your doctor will tell you about the foods that can cause a blockage. Be sure to avoid such foods.

As for the physical activity regimen, you can engage in any activity of your choice once your bowel recovers from surgery. You may, however, need to avoid lifting heavy objects. You can speak to your doctor for guidance in this regard.