Stoma Question.

[Mysticobra]

Hello all.
I've had my end ileo going into my fourth year. It'll be 4 in November.
I was doing a change today and you know just thinking. My stoma is fine and works well so this is a question I Googled and could find no answer. There may be one out there but Googling it brings up tons of stuff to cipher through.
A question popped into my head as what is the life of a stoma?
If you have no problems I would guess the rest of my life.
But what is the life of a normal stoma? Is there one?
I know it seems like a dumb question. But I'm full of dumb questions. Lol.
Richard.

[To Dream a Dream]

A very good question & one I've pondered myself. I would hazard to guess also that it may be a lifetime barring no accidents, hernias, constriction from adhesions, prolapse, recurrent Crohn's or other diseases etc. etc. And on a very optimistic note, in the event of some new marvel of modern medicine that recreates perfect plumbing being discovered, we may find we no longer need one. I'm glad to learn that your own stoma has worked well these past years. May you be blessed with continued progress.

[hownlo]

Who knows??? My stoma is 63 yrs old.
Lois

[Mysticobra]

Who knows??? My stoma is 63 yrs old.
Lois

I think this is the answer to my question!
The age of your stoma will be my age in a week!
Richard

[ron in mich.]

I had revision surgery on my ileo. last april and the surgeon said now we know how long until it quit working for me as it was 33yrs. and then he said I should be good for another 33 which would put me 100 yrs. old

[Mysticobra]

I had revision surgery on my ileo. last april and the surgeon said now we know how long until it quit working for me as it was 33yrs. and then he said I should be good for another 33 which would put me 100 yrs. old

So being my age and being that it works well and stays this way I have no worries.

Another question.
Does anyone go in for checkups?
I haven't had any reason to go back to my surgeon (she said see her if I have any issues)
I do not have a gastro Dr. Anymore.
My insurance runs out in a few years and I have to go on Medicare Medicaid. Whichever.
Right now I have great insurance that pretty well pays for everything. Once I switch over I'm afraid it won't cover as well.
So are checkups essential?
I know I'll go back at least once before it runs out. But that may be a year from now.
I told you.
I have am full of stupid questions. Some say I'm full of something but I'll keep it at questions.
It's good to knkw my stoma will outlive me. Tough little bugger. Knock on wood!

[To Dream a Dream]

If you have a good WOCN & Surgical Nurse Practitioner in your area, they seem to have a wealth of knowledge & experience. You might also benefit from checking the UOAA listing of local support groups for info.

[Mara]

Mine is well over fifty years old - I did have a revision a while back.... not sure how much became new....

Check-up for a stoma....? I sometimes run into my surgeon at the local ostomy group meeting - and say hello - that's the closest I get to a check-up since my post-op revision visits which must be way more than ten years ago by now....

[Mysticobra]

These are just some dumb questions that pop into my head.
Being that I've only had it a few years I'm glad some of you that have decades of experience are adding to my questions.
Sure does make me feel secure with what I have.
I think I had a good experienced surgeon. She was fairly young (46) but has alot of experience around her and she always had an answer to my dumb questions. Lol.
But I never asked her that one and haven't seen her in a couple years.
Richard.