What are some ways to recover after an ostomy?
- Get used to the “new normal” of having a stoma and pouch.
- Take care of your physical health.
- Seek emotional support.
- Regain your confidence and self-esteem.
Ostomy surgery is a life-changing experience that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious about your new routine. But with the right mindset and support, you can adjust to life with an ostomy and get back to enjoying the things you love.
In this blog, we will discuss some important tips for ostomy recovery, taking into account physical and emotional adjustments, stoma care management, and confidence development. Whether you’re new to the concept or have been living with an ostomy for years, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you recover and thrive.
What is an Ostomy?
If you were told that you needed an ostomy, you would likely wonder what that is. An ostomy is a surgical procedure that involves changing how urine or stool exits the body. This waste is rerouted because parts of the urinary or digestive system are malfunctioning.
Instead of going through its usual path out of the body, waste goes through a surgically-created opening in the stomach called a stoma and into a pouch called an ostomy bag. In some cases, an alternative to a conventional ostomy can be done that doesn’t require a pouch and allows the patient to have a continent diversion.
Overall, an ostomy is both life-saving and life-changing. There is a lot of adjustment to be done after the procedure, as patients will have to recover both physically and emotionally. At Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Pinas, we have doctors specializing in colorectal surgery who can conduct ostomy treatment properly and efficiently.
It is common for people who have undergone an ostomy to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or self-conscious at the start. It is also common for them to have many questions that they are anxious about bringing up to their doctor. Therefore, if you are about to undergo or have undergone ostomy surgery, know that you are not alone in how you feel.
Below are some things you can do to help you recover from ostomy surgery.
Get Used to the “New Normal” of Having a Stoma and Pouch
A stoma is certainly something to get used to, and even before your surgery, you can manage your expectations by knowing what it looks like. Don’t be alarmed by its size post-surgery—expect that it and its surrounding area will be swollen.
Even before the operation, you can ask your doctor what to do (or what medication to take) if you feel any pain. Ask them how long it will be until you can do active tasks or lift heavy objects. Finally, ask them what activities or hobbies you can or cannot do now that you have a stoma and pouch—the answers may even surprise you.
Take Care of Your Physical Health
Very often, your mental and physical health go hand in hand. So taking care of your physical health, since it’s relatively easier to do, will do wonders for your overall well-being. Additionally, you need to take care of your stoma and pouch to reduce the risk of infection, complications, or other issues arising just when you are getting used to the pouch in the first place.
Seek Emotional Support
As mentioned, it is quite common for people who have undergone ostomy surgery to feel self-conscious about their stoma or pouch. But there’s no need to stress. Generally, as long as you keep your stoma pouch or bag clean, there will not be a noticeable smell or a lump in your clothing. Other people likely won’t notice that you have a stoma or stoma pouch unless you tell them so.
With that said, however, it’s completely okay for you to continue to feel self-conscious, especially at the beginning. The best thing you can do is talk about it with someone who understands or can sympathize. Speak to others who have undergone the treatment, or to your doctor. Better yet, speak to someone whom you trust. This way, you’ll have someone to help you through the awkwardness of the first few weeks.
Regain Your Confidence and Self-Esteem
Little by little, you should be regaining your self-esteem. You’ll find that you can still do most tasks with or without a stoma pouch, the pouch isn’t that noticeable to those around you, and people won’t treat you any differently now that you have it.
But if it’s been a long time and you still feel uncomfortable, consider seeing someone about it—your doctor, for example. If your self-esteem is going down, don’t suffer in silence. Take the steps to boost it back up!
Key Takeaway
Living with an ostomy may require a change of pace for a while, but it has more benefits than disadvantages. Before you know it, you’ll be adjusted to your new normal and back to your usual activities. Following these tips will help you speed up the process, but remember to take things one at a time.
Beyond the hospital room, our doctors and healthcare workers will be with you every step of the way in terms of recovery, guiding and providing you with the best ways to live a normal life once again. Contact us today to know more!