Sometimes treatment for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and familial adenomatous polyposis involves removing all or part of the intestines. Ostomy surgery has actually been around since the 1700’s and has been greatly improved upon. When the intestines have to be removed, the body needs a new way for stool or feces to leave the body, so the surgeon has to create an opening in the abdomen for stool to pass through. The surgery to create the new opening is called ostomy surgery and the opening is called a stoma. When you have one of these diseases, and you have to have surgery which means you will end up living with an ileostomy, you might think it’s the end of the world. But it’s not!
Yeah, you say, it’s not you. No! It’s not me, but it was someone near and dear to me who ended up like this. And I thought that he would think the same way. Well…was I surprised! I really was. I even told the kids not to tell him, that I would need to tell him myself, but the doctors told him without us knowing it. And you know what? He was not angry, nor was he upset, nor was he mad at the world either. He made jokes about it, but he did say that he would miss farting. Yeah, farting! He was a great cut-up, a jokester and an all around fun man. And he was not going to let this upset his life. And he didn’t!
Let me explain the ileostomy versus the colonoscopy, ok? The difference in the type of ostomy depends on how much and what part of the intestines has to be removed. The different types are called ileostomy and colostomy. When the colon and the rectum are removed, the surgeon performs an ileostomy to attach the bottom of the small intestine or ileum, to the stoma. This resembles a small sort of rectum on the abdomen. The ileostomy produces a more pasty to liquid bowel (depending what you’ve eaten or drank) movement than the colonoscopy, which produces a more solid bowel movement. When the rectum is removed, the surgeon performs a colostomy to attach the colon to the stoma. This is the difference between the ileostomy and the colonoscopy.
With my husbands, we found out that the appliance which held the feces had to be changed every so many days, depending on his body. It was fine for a day or two, then it had to have the old appliance removed, his stoma cleaned, and fit a new appliance on his tummy. During the times it was doing alright, he had to “dump” the contents of the bag into a container and dump this in the toilet. It had to be measured at first, to know that his bowel was operating in the proper way. As time went on, it became easier to change it, and it lasted as long as 5 to 7 days sometimes. So he was learning to live with it very well. He was a fisherman and he loved the outdoors and he never let the ileostomy stop him. We just always made it a point to carry extra ostomy supplies with us, in case of emergencies.
He was among the people who understood that it was the ileostomy that saved his life at that time or he would have ceased to exist. It was that simple. Most people would say “No Way” and that would be it. And this is understandable because who want a bag hanging off their stomach for the rest of their life? But most people wonder why they waited so long to get this surgery done. Why suffer needlessly when an ostomy would bring so much more to your life. No, it’s not a nice prospect knowing you need to have ostomy surgery, but once you have the surgery, you will be feeling healthier than you have in years and the bag rarely gets in the way of any activities – hang gliding, rock climbing, flying, swimming and even sex!
Simply put, an ostomy is a surgically-made opening into the body. The opening is called a stoma, and the waste products now get expelled there, into the bag.
In an ileostomy, a small opening is made in the front of the abdominal wall, and the tip of the lower small intestine, the ileum, is brought to the skin’s surface and folded back on itself. This is call a stoma, and is sort of like a small rectum. Some people name theirs and make a joke of it. This opening, is about the size of a quarter and is where the feces comes out. A bag is worn at all times, over the opening to catch the waste, and you have to empty the bag approximately 4 to 6 times a day. Most people live a full life, even with an ileostomy.
Some of the problems of having an ileostomy can be:
1. Skin irritation due to the glue which holds the bag on.
2. Prolapse of the stoma
3. Parastomal fistulization
4. Peristomal hernia
5. Ileostomy retraction
6. High stomal output
Odor from an ostomy is seldom a problem. You should discuss these problems with your enterostomal therapist or contact your nearest Ostomy Association. If you don’t have one, ask your surgeon to recommend one. They will be your most valuable tool you will have regarding your ostomy surgery. This cannot be stressed enough!!!
How Can an Ostomy Affect Your Lifestyle?
Bathing – You can still tub or show and it’s done much the sam as before the ostomy. Bathing can be done with or without the appliance attached.
Clothing – Usually, the same types of clothing worn after an ostomy can be the same as before. Only minor changes may be needed, such as larger pantyhose for women or a larger athletic supporter for men who exercise. Sometimes, larger clothing is more comfortable also.
Exercise – There are not too many limitations on exercise and sports. People with ostomies swim, water-ski, play tennis and football, jog, and participate in almost any sport or activity.
Diet – Some minor changes may be required after an ostomy. The patient may find that certain foods cause diarrhea and/or gas. You then simply avoid these foods, and food must be chewed very well. A little experimenting may be necessary, until you establish what bothers you and what doesn’t.
Sex – A strong, loving relationship always assures satisfactory sexual relations. An ostomy does not make a person less masculine or feminine, nor does it even make one less desirable to your partner. Understanding and the patient’s attitude is very important in maintaining sexual performance. In some cases, professional counseling may be necessary and your doctor can assist you in obtaining the proper help.
Travel – The only steps needed for traveling are advance planning and packing adequate ostomy supplies. We actually went on a trip to Mexico, with our church, a while after my husband had his ostomy surgery. So, just plan ahead and take lots of supplies.
Socializing – Each year about 100,000 people of all ages have this surgery. So the chances are great that you have socialized with someone who has an ostomy and didn’t even know it. Today’s devices are secure, lightweight, and unnoticeable. Who and what you tell about your surgery is up to you. You are still the same person and there is no reason why any of your relationships with family and friends should change in any way.
In Conclusion – Ostomies almost always improves your quality of life by correcting the serious or debilitation conditions that brought you here. Thousands of ostomy patients can attest to the fact that they lead an active, near normal and stimulating life. Near normal diets, sex and travel habits included.
For more help for ostomy patients I can recommend:
**The United Ostomy Association, a self-help organization, providing much useful support, information and assistance. There may be a local chapter near you.
36 Executive Park, Suite 120,
Irvine, CA 92714
Phone: (800) 826-0826 or (714) 660-8624
**Most hospitals near you can assist with help also. We have experienced help from our own local hospital.
**Many companies that sell ostomy supplies can also give you pointers and extra help. We personally got help from the company that sold us his ostomy supplies. We had gone there to buy supplies and it started leaking. They had a table for him, in a private room, and they changed the ostomy appliance for him, with no charge to us. They were very helpful.
For more help and information, you can go to these websites where there is much more to learn:
http://www.ostomates.org/ostomies.html
http://www.gicare.com/pated/ecdgs11.htm
