new to group - in 2nd week post operation and Stoma bag

Hi Daz

A really warm welcome to stoma support and your own online community, you have joined a group where everyone has one thing in common - Each one of us lives our daily lives with a Stoma.

We are full of tips, advice but we pride ourselves on one thing  - We are very supportive towards each other.

There will be times when you can't access your stoma care nurse or you have a question that you don't want to bother her with and that's the time you turn to us for answers.

I'm going to be honest having a stoma is a life changing experience but it is very doable and can be and is very manageable but you need to be organised with your management.

You will learn when is the right time to change your bag, there is no time schedule, no time slot when you spot the signs to change your bag, that's your time to change which hopefully will coincide with your stoma being inactive.

Having a stoma doesn't mean a major change to the foods you probably used to eat and can still do what is important is knowing the effects the foods can have on your output and making adjustments.

Modern pouches are made of soft materials which mean they shouldn't be detected under your normal clothing, hopefully your surgeon was kind enough to avoid siting your stoma in line with your belly button which will be away from clothes with a waist band sitting in the middle of your bag.

Give yourself up to 8 weeks after your surgery and you'll be back to resuming the lifestyle you previously enjoyed, there should be nothing that you liked to do pre stoma that you won't be able to do and probably more as you'll be pain free and feel more active.

Driving is a different matter in a few weeks if you feel that you could handle an emergency stop without pain or straining yourself then you can consider a short drive, lockdown permitting.

I hope the above will give something to help with your positivity and regain your lifestyle but if there is ever anything I can do to help you at anytime, I'm here 7 days a week even at some times during the night please give me a shout out, I answer questions on everything to do with stoma management from helping with products, delivery companies, support garments and problem solutions, advice on the complimentary items that you should be asking your supply company in fact if you need to know something about living with a stoma the name you should remember is the and I promise to answer any questions you have with an answer that only refers to your question.

Here to help, here at anytime and here to help you start living with a stoma.

Ian

CC

Ian,

thank you for the very kind and positive response. I look forward to seeking advice through this site.

Daz

Daz

Firstly as Ian said welcome to the online community. I have had my Ileostomy stoma bag exactly 10 weeks today and no pain and back to normal as much as we all can be during the current climate. I like alot of us are currently shielding due to health reasons but I'm working away in my garden and normal house tasks without any trouble at all. Regards food I'm actually eating betta now I have a stoma than previously while receiving chemotherapy for bowel cancer. Over time you will get to know what suits you best and not wether it be more watery or thicker.

Stay safe everyone

Mark

Hi Daz,

Welcome to the group. There are a few of us ostomates around and we can all help you and support you. It's very early days for you yet, and you'll no doubt be getting used to everything stoma-related. We are all different when it comes to our stomas, and what works for one person, might not work for another, so it's all just a case of finding your way. As Ian has said, when it comes to foods, it's a case of finding out what works and doesn't work for you, or what effects certain foods have on you. But please don't think that you won't be able to enjoy any of your favourite foods.. try and see how you get on with them and your stoma. Your lifestyle might have to adapt a bit, but it will be nothing that you can't do. As for the clothing, you might feel that everyone can see your pouch under your clothes, but it's not like that at all. Some people continue to wear jeans, dresses etc, whilst some feel more comfy wearing baggy tops. It's all about what you feel confident in. 

Depending on what type of stoma you have, if it's a colostomy then you might be interested in irrigation - this is a method of introducing water into the bowels and flushing everything out. It gives you back some control of the bowel. I'm happy to answer any questions on that if you're interested.

Being positive about all of this will serve you well.

Linda :-)