An ostomy is a surgical procedure that involves
making a temporary or permanent opening in the abdominal skin to eliminate
urine or stool. The waste gets collected in a pouch, and you can empty it from
time to time. While the procedure may be necessary to deal with health issues,
it isn’t easy to deal with. As a patient, you can feel overwhelmed, and your
family also bears the impact. Resuming a normal life may seem like a big feat.
Thankfully, you can live a healthy and active life with your pouch, provided
you know the basics of stoma care. Here are some tips to help.
Look after
your pouch
After the procedure, your doctor will educate you
about emptying and changing the pouch. You may seek the help of a family member
initially, but some practice will make it easy to manage. Follow a regular
schedule and empty the pouch when it is
half full to steer clear of leakage. It is best to change the pouch when your
bowel is less active, such as early in the morning.
Protect
your skin
Since the stoma is an opening in the skin, it needs
good care. Ensure that the pouch is a perfect fit for the opening. Clean the
surrounding skin with water and let it dry when you replace the bag. But avoid
using soap, lotion, or cream as it may prevent the barrier from sticking to
your skin. If you notice any irritation in the area, report it to your doctor
immediately.
Follow some
diet rules
You can expect things to change a bit when a hole
in your abdomen works as your bladder or bowel. But you can follow some simple
diet rules after an ostomy to enjoy
meals with your family. Learn to recognize foods that irritate your bowel and
avoid them completely. Raw fruits and veggies, nuts, and corn are hard to
break, so you can skip them. Stick to multiple small meals instead of three
large ones. Chew well and drink plenty of water to keep your digestion on track.
Stay
physically active
Even as having a pouch protruding from your body
sounds scary, you can still enjoy an active lifestyle. You can try any activity
you are comfortable with, as long as it does not involve much physical contact.
Seek recommendations from your doctor about the safest exercises and optimal
time to start them after the surgery. They can also guide you about the
measures to keep your stoma safe while exercising or playing a sport.
Have sex
but practice caution
If you want to resume normal life after an ostomy,
you will be concerned about being sexually active. You can have sex after recovering from the surgery, but getting used to intimacy may take some time. The barrier is as
much emotional as it is physical. Communicating openly with your partner can
help you deal with self-consciousness. Also, make sure that your pouch is empty
and clean before you indulge.
Women can also conceive after an ostomy. So it
shouldn’t be a problem if you plan to start a family after the surgery. Just
relax and try to get back to a normal lifestyle, and you will be fine.
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