What you need to know about ostomy surgery

Have you ever heard of a surgery where you have a bag attached to your abdomen to allow your stool or urine to pass out? Maybe a friend of yours has had one done. This is called an ostomy in medical terms. Although it may seem a little scary and strange at first, it is actually a very important medical procedure that can save lives and pave the way for you to live a normal life again. Today, we will talk about this in a simple and straightforward way.

What exactly is an ostomy surgery?

Simply put, an ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates a new opening in your abdomen (belly) to allow stool or urine to pass through the skin. This procedure helps to remove waste from your body when you are unable to pass stool or urine normally due to a medical condition.

After the surgery, you will see a small part of your intestine that has been removed from the hole in your abdomen. This is called the stoma. It is pinkish-red in color. It is like the lining of your mouth. The best part is that it has no nerve endings, so you will not feel any pain. Your surgeon will teach you how to use a special pouch to collect waste from this stoma.

How to use an Ostomy Bag?

This ostomy bag (also called a pouch or appliance) collects stool or urine that comes out of the stoma. This bag has a special barrier that attaches to the skin. This protects your skin from waste products. It is very important to attach this bag correctly and to prevent leaks. Otherwise, skin infections can occur.

Your doctor or a specially trained nurse will show you how to use this bag. These come in two main types:

• One-piece system: Here, the bag and the barrier that attaches to the skin are both in one.
• Two-piece system: Here, the flange and the bag come separately. Once the flange is attached to the skin, the bag can be attached and removed.

How to empty the bag

The bag should be emptied when it is about a third full. This may need to be done anywhere from twice to about six times a day.

1. Sit on the toilet. First, place a piece of tissue paper on the toilet bowl. This will stop the water from splashing when the waste falls.

2. Keep clothes away from the bag.

3. Remove the clip or plug at the bottom of the bag.

4. Squeeze the bottom of the bag and throw the waste into the toilet.

5. Wipe the bottom edge of the bag thoroughly with a tissue.

6. Reattach the clip properly.

7. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

How to completely change the bag

This is different from emptying the bag. Usually, you have to replace both the bag and the barrier every 3-4 days, which means about twice a week.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and gather everything you need (a new bag, scissors, a clean piece of cloth).
• Before removing the old bag, empty the waste in it into the toilet.
• Then, remove the bag, put it in a plastic bag, and throw it in the trash can.
• Now clean the skin around the stoma with warm water and a non-scented soap. Do not use soaps with perfumes or creams. These may prevent the new barrier from sticking to the skin properly.
• Wash the skin thoroughly and pat dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Cut the new barrier to the size of your stoma, fit it snugly to the skin, and attach the new bag.

If you have any problems with this, if the barrier does not stick properly, or if you have any skin pain or sores, call your doctor immediately.

Who needs an ostomy?

Doctors recommend ostomy surgeries as a treatment for a variety of serious medical conditions. These can sometimes be temporary, and sometimes permanent.

Situations where a temporary ostomy may be necessary:

• Severe intestinal infections.
• Inflammatory bowel disease .
• Severe injuries to the intestines.
• Intestinal obstruction.

Situations where a permanent ostomy may be necessary:

• Uncontrollable bowel movements (incontinence).
• Birth defects of the intestines or bladder.
• Cancers of the colon, rectum, or bladder.
• When part of the rectum or anus is surgically removed.

Main types of ostomy surgeries

There are two main types that help with bowel movements and one that helps with urination.

J-pouch surgery

There are other options besides the traditional ostomy. A J-pouch is a procedure that creates a pouch inside the body to collect stool. This involves connecting the end of the small intestine to the anus. This means you don't need a permanent stoma and can pass stool through the anus as usual.

Possible complications and when to see a doctor?

As with any surgery, there are risks and complications that can occur. So be sure to discuss these with your doctor before having the procedure. Some of the potential problems include:

• Skin problems: redness , itching , and infection of the skin around the stoma.
• Blockage: Food particles getting stuck in the intestines.
• Hernia: A weakness in the abdominal wall around the stoma.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Decreased absorption of water, vitamins, and minerals by the body.
• Narrowing of the stoma (Stricture): Difficulty in passing waste.

If you have the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

As the above symptoms may be an emergency, do not hesitate to go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) if necessary.

How to live a normal life with an ostomy bag?

It takes some time to get used to doing body functions differently. But you can live a completely normal life with an ostomy bag. It doesn't stop you from going to work, playing sports, swimming, traveling, getting married, or having children.

At first, you may feel anxious about your body and how others see you. That's normal. Since the bag is not visible over your clothes, most people don't even realize you have it.

Sex life

It's a good sign that you're thinking about having sex after surgery when your body and mind are ready. Talk openly about this with your partner .

• Before having sex, empty the bag, clean it thoroughly, and check that the seal is intact.
• You can use special clothing or pouch covers to make the bag invisible.
• Try positions that don't put pressure on the bag.
• Talking about your fears, doubts, and concerns with your partner will also help strengthen your relationship.

If you are struggling to cope with this change, talk to your doctor, family, and friends. It can also be a great source of strength to join support groups where people who have had similar experiences come together.

Ostomy, stoma, colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, ostomy bag, surgery