Stoma how long until stomach pains and tightness take to go

Hi Pippa. I think it is still early days yet for such a big operation but you could give your colorectal support nurse a ring if you’re concerned about any specific pain? How are you finding your stoma? It takes a few weeks to settle down but is there something specific that concerns you? x

I cant advise on the pain as luckily I didnt have any but stomas do take a few weeks to settle into their own routine.they also take about 6 weeks to shrink to their optimum size then you can get your supplier to precut your bags which saves loads of time 

Do ask if there is anything specific about your stoma.

Kath

Hi Pippa

I found it frustrating that I wasn’t up and about two months after. My surgeon told me six months and he was correct although I was quite fit before the op I had to listen to my body and slow down. I wanted to go shopping a couple of weeks after pushing the shopping trolley then I had to sleep when I got home. So I had to have a lazy day if I had fatigue and a slow day if I didn’t. It was tough. The pain and discomfort was helped with pain killers which I stayed on for a while. I had tightening where the incision was and I was tender in most places where the op had taken place. I was told that my bowel would be lifted out to get to the cancer it didn’t occur to me that all the organs in that area needed time to heal too
I ate very small amounts like half a fish finger sandwich and nothing late so my output was small  and very liquid which burned my skin  My stoma nurse said to try two dry crackers late  That really helped and my stoma settled  I was prescribed tablets to help thicken the output but I didn’t get on with them  jellies babies and marshmallows slowed the output but didn’t thicken it

 Wotsits crisps and crackers thicken

I hope this helps but phone your nurse for advice if you’re concerned 

take care 

Thank you for your reply 

when I was first out of hospital it was my bums plastic surgery which was the cause of my pain. now that has settled I think it was masking other pain. 

I think I over did it a bit some days very little pain other days wowzer did it hurt my bowels are still all over the place I used to be very regular and now some days loads another day none. When I lay down no pain mostly if walking is ok but standing still for any time starts to hurt quite quickly.

I started taking peppermint and that seems to help a lot while in hospital I was given laxative twice a day which I felt helped.

its so hard as there is no normal also being 65 means recovery is going to bit longer

Thank you you Ann Very useful 

it’s seems I am a little more like you and have to give myself more time I came out of hospital feeling so well and walked about 4000 to 5000 steps a day with little problem.

it seems I have taken a step back this last 10 days, I have over done it 

it feels so tight inside like there not enough room for everything laying down no pain walking a bit of pain 1 to 4 now standing still for just a few minutes or washing up wowzer my word that makes it hurt to anything from a 6 to a 9 I have a Perching store which has help.

I was lucky and had robotic surgery so my recovery initially was very quick, but they obviously still moved around many organs 

so thank you again lots of good information and need just need to slow down and not push it 

Hi there Pippa

im glad it’s helpful sometimes I can go on a bit 

Yes you really need to see how you feel before exercising too much  I did the gentle pelvic exercises twice a day they really helped stretch my spine and made me feel stronger although getting up off the floor was hilarious at first 

Although we’ve different operations our organs have still taken a bashing. I had keyhole and incision, you had robotic but both of us had internal bruising. I had pain all over the place from ribs down. In fact my ribs were tender. 

It may be a really good idea to phone the team they may have some good advice and meds to help. 
Any problems ask away