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It is understandable to wonder what life will be like after undergoing ostomy surgery. In the first few weeks, you will adapt to the new changes. It is where you are going to need the right information to be ready for a life with a stoma.
In this article, we will discuss a few things that you may want to consider as you head for this change in life.
Know your stoma
A stoma is an opening of the diversion in your excretory tract. The doctor will position your stoma at an appropriate location on your abdomen. Based on the surgery type, the doctor will let you know about the likely position of the stoma.
The stoma is pink or red, and it is slightly moist. It may have swelling, soreness, or slight bleeding, but it will go away in a few days. In case there is excessive pain or bleeding, you are going to have to consult your doctor as soon as you can.
A stoma is an opening of the diversion in your excretory tract. The doctor will position your stoma at an appropriate location on your abdomen. Based on the surgery type, the doctor will let you know about the likely position of the stoma.
The stoma is pink or red, and it is slightly moist. It may have swelling, soreness, or slight bleeding, but it will go away in a few days. In case there is excessive pain or bleeding, you are going to have to consult your doctor as soon as you can.
Ensure proper skincare
The skin around the stoma should look and feel like the same as it did before the surgery. Nonetheless, you may feel slight irritation or discomfort as the skin adapts to the use of ostomy pouches.
You can get instructions from your doctor or ostomy care nurse regarding how to care for your skin during every pouch change. These instructions could include how to clean the skin area while bathing, and how to remove hair from the skin around the stoma. You can also discuss any changes in the skincare routine if you have any allergies.
The first thing in this regard is to make sure that your skin is clean and dry. To clean your peristomal skin, you can use warm water and a clean washcloth. You may use soap if it doesn’t contain any perfumes and oils.
The skin around the stoma should look and feel like the same as it did before the surgery. Nonetheless, you may feel slight irritation or discomfort as the skin adapts to the use of ostomy pouches.
You can get instructions from your doctor or ostomy care nurse regarding how to care for your skin during every pouch change. These instructions could include how to clean the skin area while bathing, and how to remove hair from the skin around the stoma. You can also discuss any changes in the skincare routine if you have any allergies.
The first thing in this regard is to make sure that your skin is clean and dry. To clean your peristomal skin, you can use warm water and a clean washcloth. You may use soap if it doesn’t contain any perfumes and oils.
Properly fitting skin barrier
Your stoma will be swollen right after surgery. This swelling goes away in a few weeks. During this time, you are going to have to keep your stoma measuring every week. It will help you create skin barriers’ openings of accurate size. Wearing an ostomy pouch with a too-large opening can cause the stoma output to get in contact with the exposed area of the peristomal skin, resulting in peristomal skin complications.
Your stoma will be swollen right after surgery. This swelling goes away in a few weeks. During this time, you are going to have to keep your stoma measuring every week. It will help you create skin barriers’ openings of accurate size. Wearing an ostomy pouch with a too-large opening can cause the stoma output to get in contact with the exposed area of the peristomal skin, resulting in peristomal skin complications.
Have a balanced diet
The diet remains one of the primary concerns until your bowel fully heals. As your body adapts to your intestinal ostomy, you may have to stick to a low-fiber diet. You don’t want any blockage in your bowel, as it can be quite painful. You may also want to avoid any foods that can cause gas because gas can not only cause discomfort, but it can also result in the pouch ballooning.
Aside from following these tips, keep in touch with your doctor or ostomy care nurse. If you have any questions regarding ostomy care, discuss with them to get proper guidance.
The diet remains one of the primary concerns until your bowel fully heals. As your body adapts to your intestinal ostomy, you may have to stick to a low-fiber diet. You don’t want any blockage in your bowel, as it can be quite painful. You may also want to avoid any foods that can cause gas because gas can not only cause discomfort, but it can also result in the pouch ballooning.
Aside from following these tips, keep in touch with your doctor or ostomy care nurse. If you have any questions regarding ostomy care, discuss with them to get proper guidance.