An ostomy is a surgically made opening into the body to create a stoma. Someone that has an ostomy may have one because they were born with a birth defect or they may have one due to an illness that necessitated the removal of an organ such as the colon, parts of the small bowel, or the bladder. The remaining part of the organ is brought to the surface of the abdomen to create this stoma. This opening is used to expel wastes from the body.
What Kinds of Ostomies Are There?
There are several types of ostomies. The two most common are ileostomies and colostomies.
An ileostomy, also known as a Brooke’s Ileostomy, is created out of the remaining parts of the small bowel or the ileum. Brooke refers to the British surgeon, Bryan Brooke who invented the first working ileostomy. In an ileostomy a small surgical opening is made in the abdomen, usually below the beltline, and the tip of the small bowel is brought to the surface and folded back on itself; this creates the stoma. By the time waste reaches the ileum it is already a liquid so it is necessary to use an appliance over the stoma to catch the waste. This bag has to be emptied on a regular basis.
In a colostomy only a part of the colon, or the large intestine, is removed. A colostomy is created out of the colon rather than the small bowel and therefore, the stoma in a colostomy is somewhat larger than in an ileostomy.
A stoma should look a pinkish red color and shiny at all times; it should never look blue, purple, or black. It is very important to keep your stoma clean by washing it with soap and water every time the appliance is changed. An appliance is usually changed about twice a week. The peristomal skin, the skin surrounding the stoma, should remain dry at all times. This will make it easier to place a new appliance over the stoma. It is also crucial that you have a proper fitting appliance. If an appliance does not fit closely around the stoma it is possible that discharge from the stoma will irritate the peristomal skin and cause a wide range of skin problems.
How Do Ostomies Affect Daily Life?
When patients are first told by their doctors that they may need surgery to create an ostomy they usually have negative feelings. A patient needs time to rest and heal after the surgery and then time to adapt to the changes of having an ostomy. Most patients quickly learn to manage their ostomies and their lives are only slightly changed, if at all. Patients who have ostomies will tell you that they would rather keep the ostomy than deal with the debilitating symptoms of their disease. Patients do, however, fear that several areas of their life may be affected by an ostomy. These include clothing, diet, exercise, sex, bathing, and social relationships.
Clothing: In general, the types of clothing that were worn before having an ostomy can still be worn after surgery. Only minor changes will need to be made. An ostomy stays well hidden under any type of clothing.
Diet: Diet will depend strictly upon the patient. Some foods will cause diarrhea and gas and thus, some may prefer to stay away from these foods. It is important to have a diet that is well balanced nutritionally.
Exercise: People with ostomies continue to participate in sports and other recreational activities in the same manner they did before their surgery. There are generally few, if any, limitations on exercise.
Sex: An ostomy should not affect the sexual life of a couple who have a strong, loving, and understanding relationship. An ostomy does not affect performance or stamina in any way.
Bathing: Bathing and showering habits are usually not any different than they were before the surgery. An appliance can be kept on or may be taken off when bathing and showering. Not wearing your appliance when bathing will not hurt your stoma. It should be taken into consideration, however, that food digests more quickly in a person who has a shorter bowel. If you are going to bathe without an appliance on it would be wise to not eat right before bathing.
Social Relationships: With advances in medicine, ostomy supplies today are lightweight, small, secure, and relatively unnoticeable. Having an ostomy should not affect your social relationships. What you share with others about your surgery is completely up to you. If you have a positive attitude about life and have learned to manage your ostomy well you can lead a normal, fulfilling life.
