Welcome to the stoma support group and the online community, the club that no one wants to you join and I'm sure that you are no different, I hope that we can help you on this journey you've started.
There is usually a reason for having an ileostomy if the colon is damaged, inflamed or does not work properly, some of the common reasons are Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis or Bowel Cancer with some of the less common reasons being due to Bowel Obstruction or Injury and very few of us actually want to have one. Ileostomies are either temporary or permanent and can be a life saver but the thing that always has to be remembered is that we are all different and accept it in our own way.
You have to be guided by your consultant/surgeon on the way forward but they don't usually suggest the operation unless there is no other options.
If the reason for question "How will effect me" then there is no easy answer to it but it can become a life changer and can give you back your life, it depends on how you look at it.
Yes, you will end up with a stoma bag, but there is no reason for you not to enjoy doing everything that you previously enjoyed from social, work, sports or holidays.
I can give you lots of advice on what it's like to be an ileostomate if you care to come back to me with any concerns you have, and if you can let me know what stage you are at with regard to the operation and we can talk about anything you want, whether it be your own concerns, the concerns of your partner or family we can discuss them all.
It might be of help to you know that we have private messages and in this connection I have sent you a friend request and if you wish to accept please go back to your profile page and look under your username and look for accept and click on it.
I am able to answer any questions you have about having an ileostomy.
I am here to help at anytime you need to ask something, it's no problem to answer you.
Please come back to me when you're ready and we can talk - tiy should have a message in your inbox from me.
