The Ten Most
Frequently Asked Questions Following Ostomy Surgery
by Jennifer Dore, RN, CETN
These are some of the most
common questions I'm asked by my patients following ostomy surgery. I have provided very general answers to
these questions. Please remember to
discuss your specific concerns/questions with your E.T. (Enterostomal
Therapist) nurse or doctor as every person's ostomy experience is unique and
individual.
1.
What about showering and bathing, will soap hurt the stoma?
People with ostomies shower and
bathe both with and without their appliances according to their personal
preference. Normal exposure to air or
contact with soap and water will not harm the stoma and water does not enter
the ostomy opening. In the case of the
ileostomate, you may want to choose a
time for bathing when the bowel is less active.
2. What can I eat? Will I need to change my diet?
There may be some modifications in
your diet, but in most instances you should be able to eat a varied and well-balanced diet. Any dietary restrictions are highly
individual. It is important to introduce
foods a little at a time with plenty of liquids. For ileostomates, some less digestible or high roughage foods
such as corn, cocoanut, mushrooms, nuts, popcorn, dried or raw fruits, and some
vegetables are more likely to create potential blockage problems. People with colostomies and urostomies
generally have fewer or no restrictions.
It is important to drink lots of liquids and to
chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Ask your ET for a list of recommendations before or soon after
you leave the hospital.
3. Will there be odor coming from the pouch?
Generally there should be no odor
coming from the pouch as it is designed to be odor proof. Depending on the type of ostomy you have and
what you have eaten, you may have gas and odor when emptying the pouch. There are a lot of products that can be
taken orally or placed in the pouch to combat odor. Some people like to use room deodorizers preventatively before
emptying.
4. Will I be able to wear the same clothes as
before? How about belts, pantyhose, girdles, tight clothes and swimsuits?
After ostomy surgery, many people wear
the same clothes as before. Depending
on your stoma location you might find belts uncomfortable or restrictive. Some people chose to wear higher or looser
waistbands on trousers and skirts.
Pantyhose, girdles, and tight clothes will not injure the stoma, but
they could inhibit the normal flow from the stoma to the pouch thereby breaking
the adhesive seal and creating a leak under the wafer. Often people will wait a
number of hours after applying a new wafer and pouch before wearing tight
clothing or going swimming to make sure the paste or cement has set. As for swimsuits, steer clear of white ones
as the outline of the pouch may
be visible when wet. Many women prefer patterned suits with an inside panel for extra tummy control. Recently underwear and bathing suits that contain a provision for a pouch have been introduced for both sexes.
5. How long can I or should I wear one appliance
between changes?
The adhesiveness and durability of
systems vary. Anywhere from three to
seven days is to be expected, or whatever makes you and your skin comfortable. Specialists say that changing an appliance
unnecessarily frequently, or wearing one too long, may be damaging to the
skin. After a few months most people
learn how long a single appliance will last.
6. How many times a day will I empty the pouch?
It depends of the type of ostomy,
what you eat, and how quickly it passes through your system. For most ostomates
two to six times a day is to be expected.
Ileostomates must empty more often than colostomates. Urostomates will empty even more frequently.
7. Is there a correct way to empty an ileostomy or
colostomy pouch?
Most people with a colostomy or
ileostomy find the easiest way is to sit on the toilet with the pouch between
the legs, although there is no right or wrong way. Make sure to hold the closing clip and bottom of the pouch firmly
before opening. It is a good idea to
place some paper in the bowl before emptying to prevent back splash.
8. Will I be able to continue my daily activities
once I recover from surgery?
Yes. Generally after surgery you can
gradually resume the daily activities you were doing before. You may need to plan on doing certain things
in a different way. For instance, ileostomates and urostomates need to take in
a good amount of liquids. Unless there
is a specific problem, your ostomy should not restrict daily living. With some people, such as those who have
suffered from ulcerative colitis, an ostomy can greatly enhance the quality of
that person's life.
9. Will I be able to resume or maintain an active
lifestyle if I choose? Travel, camp, swim, etc.?
Most people with an ostomy lead
active lives. Indeed, some are
professional athletes. Unless you have
a particular problem, you can look forward to traveling, swimming and most
other activities. You may have to plan
ahead more carefully, such as making sure you have extra ostomy supplies with
you when traveling. Some doctors
recommend avoiding contact sports to prevent injury to the stoma and may
prescribe a plastic protector cap for the stoma during some activities. It's common for people to reinforce the edge
of the wafer with waterproof tape and/or wear an ostomy belt during physical
activities such as running or swimming.
10. What about medications? Can I take vitamins?
Time-released and enteric coated
medications may pass through the system of ileostomates too quickly to be
effective. Remind each of your doctors
that you have an ostomy. Checking with
your doctor is a good idea before taking any medication…vitamins included.