Returning to work with colostomy

[chocolategirl731]

I am currently in the process of pre-reversal. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy, after which I have to return to work until my scheduled reversal. I am terrified because I work in an area where there is high traffic and scared that escaping gas and and having bowel movements while in the course of my job will render me useless. Just looking for some advice on how to overcome this fear.

[nickolas]

Hi and welcome.

Do you have a colostomy or an ileostomy? I have a permanent colostomy. Following my surgery, I did pass a lot of gas but only for a while, then it calmed down. One thing I have been told, watch how much air you take in. Like if you drink liquids thru a straw, you are more likely to take in a lot of air and that will produce a lot of gas.

Once I was producing a lot of gas, the other person did not know I had a colostomy and just assumed I needed to eat. Passing gas was the further though from his mind.

I was about 2 weeks out from my surgery, my daughter, age 11 at the time was having a friend sleep over. We were all in the kitchen when I passed the LOUDEST gas through through my stoma. My daughter wanted to craw into a hole, her friend was like what was that???? I reminded DD friend that I has surgery recently, that I was suppose to pass gas and if my surgeon had heard that noise, she would have been proud of me. I also reminded her I would probably be doing it off and on during the night. The friend responded that's okay, it does not bother me. Problem solved. Look at my daughter, she felt good again.

Good luck,

Nickolas