It is natural to have apprehensions about your life after ostomy surgery. Some adjustments are going to be inevitable, as those can help you get used to your ostomy. You may, however, wonder whether your day-to-day life will be completely different after surgery. In this article, we will discuss a few concerns that you might have about your life after ostomy surgery.
What is an ostomy?
A surgically-created opening that allows bodily wastes to leave the body is known as an ostomy. An ostomy can be different types, depending on the location of the affected area. These types include the following.
- Colostomy: It is the ostomy that brings an end of the large intestine out through the abdominal wall.
- Ileostomy: This ostomy brings the end of the small intestine through the abdominal wall, bypassing the entire colon.
- Urostomy: This ostomy connects ureters to the abdominal opening to allow urine to pass out without proceeding to the bladder.
The reason you may be getting an ostomy can be cancer in the bowel or bladder, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, injury, or other health conditions. Depending on the reason, your ostomy can be permanent or temporary. Your healthcare provider will decide whether you need a permanent or temporary ostomy.
You may feel like one of the rare people to have an ostomy, but it is not the case. The reason you may feel like this is that most people figure out how to conceal their ostomy bags.
Will you be able to tell anyone that you have an ostomy?
At first, you might not be comfortable telling others that you have an ostomy. It’s because adjusting to life with a requirement to carry an ostomy bag the entire time generally seems daunting to every new ostomate. With the use of the right supplies, nobody will be able to tell that you have an ostomy. You will also learn about using those supplies the right way over time.
Whether you should tell others about your ostomy is entirely up to your preferences. The fact of the matter is that you can hide your ostomy bag even at the time of swimming. You will need to go for a swimsuit that fits your requirements.
Gas and odor are among the most fearsome concerns that people with ostomies face. Fortunately, gas filters allow you to prevent ostomy odors most of the time. These charcoal filters allow gas to escape from them, but they do not let odors to leave the pouch. How well you can manage your ostomy also depends on the type of ostomy appliance you use. Make sure to discuss with your nurse regarding the type of ostomy appliance that you can use.
Will you be able to live a normal life?
Except for the postoperative recovery phase that may last up to six weeks, you can have your preferred lifestyle. The only change in your life will be the addition of an ostomy care regimen, which will become second nature over time. You will be able to eat your favorite foods, exercise, be in a physical relationship with your spouse, and have social interactions without letting your ostomy to become an interruption.
If you have any concerns regarding this matter, you may want to discuss them with your doctor or ostomy care nurse.
