If you have bowel cancer, you may have to undergo surgery. This surgery may end up giving you a stoma, which is an opening in the abdomen to pass out body wastes.
During intestinal ostomy surgery, the surgeon brings an end of the bowel out through the abdominal wall. It creates an opening known as a stoma. An ileostomy is when the end of the small bowel is brought out, while a colostomy is when the end of the large intestine is pulled through a cut in the belly.
Both the ileostomy and colostomy can be permanent or temporary. Your surgeon will explain to you everything before surgery.
After surgery, you may find it hard to deal with the stoma during the first few days. During this time, you will need practical and emotional help. In case you need any guidance regarding how to take care of your stoma and bowel health, you can contact an ostomy care nurse. Over time, managing a stoma will become your second nature, and it will not bother you in any way.
Emotional impact
It is perfectly natural to have some concerns before and after ostomy surgery. You may be thinking too much about how other people will react. You may be a bit too worried about your body image. well, don’t worry. You will be perfectly fine once you recover from the impact of surgery. You can discuss anything and everything with an ostomy care nurse in the hospital. You can also speak to your doctor about your concerns.
You can contact these professionals any time after coming back home. You can also consider joining ostomy support groups to share your concerns and listen to others. Soon, you will be able to figure out solutions on your own.
Diet after surgery
It will take six to eight weeks for your bowel to recover from surgery. By that time, you may reclaim the ability to eat anything you want without causing any problem for your GI tract. A persistent bowel health problem, however, restrict you from eating everything you want.
When introducing new foods to your diet, be sure to introduce no more than one food at a time. Note the impact of that food. If it is not causing any problem, go ahead with it. If not, stay committed to your restricted diet plan until you are sure about the full recovery.
If you are concerned about gas and odor coming from your stoma, you may have to avoid eating foods that cause these problems.
You will also need to pay attention to your daily water intake. The amount of fluid will depend on whether you have a colostomy or ileostomy. A colostomy produces normal-looking stools. An ileostomy, on the other hand, passes out more water stools.
Working and other activities
You can continue to go to your workplace as you would do without an ostomy bag. You may, however, have to take a few breaks to check whether or not you have to empty or change your ostomy bag. You can discuss this with your employer in this regard.
Normally, you can engage in any sports after ostomy surgery. You will just have to allow your stoma to heal, and for that, you will have to wait for at least six weeks. Until that time, you can engage in lighter physical activities, such as walking.
