About
It is human nature to find comfort in any experience that is being familiar or normal rather than having to embrace something different. A colostomy undoubtedly brings a significant change that involves a person losing one of the major body functions, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. The truth is you can have an even better quality of life after colostomy surgery.
A colostomy refers to an intestinal diversion that involves evacuation of the stool from an abdominal opening created anywhere on the colon. The surgical process of creating this ostomy involves bringing out of an end of the colon through the abdominal wall to create an opening known as a stoma. The diseased part of the colon is either removed or left to heal. A colostomy can be permanent or temporary. The patient has to wear an ostomy bag over the stoma to collect the stool.
Colostomy surgery and care
A patient must be under the influence of general anesthesia to undergo colostomy surgery. The surgical procedure is relatively simple, but it may require a patient to remain hospitalized for three to ten days. During this hospital stay, the surgical staff monitors the patient’s situation until the initial recovery completes. Moreover, it is the time when the patient has to learn new skills related to caring for the stoma and the skin around it. These skills are almost entirely related to the use of the ostomy pouching system.
If you have a colostomy in the lower part of the colon, you may be able to manage it with the help of a procedure called colostomy irritation. This procedure involves putting a stream of water into the stoma to trigger the bowel movement. Resultantly, the bowel evacuates the stool. With colostomy irrigation on a daily schedule, the patient doesn’t need to wear a regular colostomy bag. A stoma cap or a mini colostomy bag would do.
A patient must be under the influence of general anesthesia to undergo colostomy surgery. The surgical procedure is relatively simple, but it may require a patient to remain hospitalized for three to ten days. During this hospital stay, the surgical staff monitors the patient’s situation until the initial recovery completes. Moreover, it is the time when the patient has to learn new skills related to caring for the stoma and the skin around it. These skills are almost entirely related to the use of the ostomy pouching system.
If you have a colostomy in the lower part of the colon, you may be able to manage it with the help of a procedure called colostomy irritation. This procedure involves putting a stream of water into the stoma to trigger the bowel movement. Resultantly, the bowel evacuates the stool. With colostomy irrigation on a daily schedule, the patient doesn’t need to wear a regular colostomy bag. A stoma cap or a mini colostomy bag would do.
Living with a colostomy
Despite the adjustment that you are going to have to make to manage your stool evacuations, a colostomy doesn’t leave a significant impact on your lifestyle. You can live your life pretty much the same way as that of a person without a colostomy. Once you are recovered from surgery, you can eat your favorite foods, go on long trips, engage in sports, and interact with people in your social circle.
Despite the adjustment that you are going to have to make to manage your stool evacuations, a colostomy doesn’t leave a significant impact on your lifestyle. You can live your life pretty much the same way as that of a person without a colostomy. Once you are recovered from surgery, you can eat your favorite foods, go on long trips, engage in sports, and interact with people in your social circle.