About

An ostomy is a surgical process that creates a pathway from an internal organ to the abdomen. It makes an artificial hole or opening the on the outside of the belly. The purpose of the hole or stoma is to collect the waste of the body. It collects all the discharge in a bag or pouch called ostomy pouch or appliance. When a small intestine or large intestine cannot perform their function or they have an injury or blockage, then doctors perform the ostomy. The stoma appears on the lower left side of the abdomen; however, the location varies according to the type of ostomy surgery. It may appear on the right side of the belly wall. The location and size of the stoma depend on the disease.

The stomach of a person connects to the small intestine, and at the end of the ileum, there is a merger of colon and rectum, called the large intestine. The stomach sends the digested food to the small intestine. The small intestine sucks up all the nutrients and minerals from the food and absorbs it into the blood vessels. The minerals a small intestine absorbs are fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and oxides. The undigested food or waste of the food sends to the large intestine. It stores the waste into the rectum until the next movement of the bowel. However, when a person’s ileum, colon, or rectum cannot perform their function properly, then he/she needs an ostomy surgery. Moreover, when a patient has colon, rectum, or ileum cancer, then he/she needs the same treatment.

Furthermore, ostomy surgery could be permanent or temporary. The p

ermanent ostomy is irreversible while the temporary is a reversible process. The patients with permanent surgery have to live their entire life with the stoma and its appliances.

Life with an Ostomy or Stoma

Ostomy surgery brings some major changes in a patient’s life. Does not matter the stoma is permanent or temporary, a person has to live a new life with some appliances. These ostomy tools give a huge impact on one's life. Therefore, you have to get used to the stoma and stoma life.

You can ask anything you need from your WOC healthcare team. However, once you are back home, it is you who has to live a new life with the ostomy appliances and get back to the routine.

Clothing

Once your stoma heals, you can wear the clothes you wore before the surgery. However, you should not wear too tight dresses right after the surgery, social gatherings, or in public places. However, it does not matter what fabric you want to wear.

Moreover, you can wear a stoma belt if you do not feel safe with the pouch in a public place. The stoma bag will not move or leak when you wear a safety belt.

Daily Activities

After the ostomy operation, you have to take rest for a few months. Do not exercise or play. However, you can go back to the office, traveling, shopping, and social gathering once your stoma heals or the doctor suggests you. But, do not worry. After a few months, you can perform all your previous activities like sports, cycling, swimming, exercise, clubbing, and any other chore.

Shower

There is no danger of taking a bath or shower with an ostomy bag. You have to keep clean your peristomal skin; therefore, bathing is an essential part. However, do not use alcoholic products or the items that have chemicals and cosmetic scents. You should use organic and medicated deodorants, sprays, and soaps.

Diet

Avoid the food that causes gas or constipation. Moreover, do not drink too much if you have a urostomy. Avoid spicy food. Take small meals with the intervals. Do not give too much rest to your stomach.