New to this

[bonsaiman]

I've got rectal cancer and scheduled for surgery this coming Monday, I'm going to get a Ostomy. I have just a few questions

1) When fitting the pouch around the stoma, you want to get as good fit as possible to prevent skin burns, any advice?

2) I sleep on my sides, turning from left to right side several times. Any advice on how to hold the bag in place so its not flopping everywhere?

I'm so nervous and just scared, I'm trying to be strong for my family but it all get very overwhelming!

Peace and Love from Missouri

Tim W

[ot dave]

Hey Tim,

Welcome to the boards. I am a stage III colorectal survivor with a permanent colostomy. To answer your questions specifically, 1.) When I put on a new pouch, I like to leave about an 1/8" of skin exposed around the stoma. In other words, cut the flange opening 1/8" bigger. You don't want the flange right on the stoma. The stoma will continuously emit mucous and impact the adhesiveness of the flange. Everyone has their own preferences for appliances. For me, I like a two piece system as I am an irrigator(you should check out that board after your surgery to see if it is something that would be of interest to you. For me, it allows me to have a lot of control of my output.) For me, to avoid the skin around the stoma from getting irritated/injured, I like to rinse my pouch out with water(I use a drainable pouch during waking hours) when I do have output. The water helps move any caustic output from the skin, and it make it feel like I've got on a new and clean pouch....again, this is what I prefer.
2.) As far as sleeping, I change into a small closed pouch...basically just to cover the stoma at night. With irrigation, I feel comfortable in the fact that I won't have any output overnight. That said, I have slept many times with the normal drainable pouch at night. Sometimes it gets twisted, but I've never had an issue with it coming loose overnight. You don't have to worry about turning from side to side. I do it all the time myself. In fact, I even lay on my stoma at times...again, with irrigation, I'm comfortable in knowing that output isn't going to occur at night. The stomas, while they'll bleed easily because of the fragile capillaries, are tough enough to sleep on. But, if you think you might have output overnight, sleeping on the stoma probably is not a good idea, because the output will pancake and go under the flange and then cause a leak.

You're going to have more questions as you proceed. Feel free to come back and ask them. There is a ton of experience here with people willing to help out. Some things will work for you, some won't. Each ostomate is unique, so try the tips that you think will work best for you and your situation. I hope that helps some.

David

[BillGK]

Hey Tim, I didn’t have cancer. I had a perforated bowel and just about didn’t make it. I woke up with a bag, having had no idea when I went in what my problem was. I have found that managing a colostomy is pretty easy and convenient. After the normal problems of leakage and whatnot you will find the right products (there are many) and techniques, and you will be fine.

The one thing that I wish was different is the location of my stoma. I had no choice in the location, it being emergency surgery, and the stoma is located exactly over where I would normally wear a belt. I have been told that there is often some flexibility in locating the stoma. Others here can comment about that. Well, if there is a choice, discuss it with the surgeon and state a preference, so that you don’t have to find clothing that accommodates an unfortunate stoma placement.

Good luck!

[bonsaiman]

Dave and Bill Thanks for your reply. Bill I did meet with a special nurse and she determined where to put the stoma, its above my belt line. I'm nervous about tomorrow, every time I say hospital I get nervous so we call the hospital the SPA, I will be going to the Spa tomorrow

Thanks again

Tim