Are you worried about having to use a stoma bag? Let's talk about it all.

When your doctor tells you that you will have to use a 'stoma', a pouch in your stomach, after surgery, you may feel very scared and anxious. "How am I going to get out now?", "Will others understand this?", "Will I not be able to live like I used to?" Many questions may come to your mind. It is very normal. But it is actually not as scary as you think. Today, let's talk simply about what a stoma is, how to care for it, and how to live normally with it.

What is a stoma in simple terms?

Imagine that the normal route through which waste (feces) exits our body, the anus, becomes inaccessible due to some medical condition or accident. Then we have to find another way to eliminate waste from the body.

Simply put, a stoma is a small opening that a surgeon creates in the wall of your abdomen (belly).

This surgery is called a colostomy . In this procedure, a healthy part of your colon is taken and connected to an opening in your abdomen. Then, instead of passing out through the anus, waste products, or stool, come out through this stoma opening. We place a special bag (pouch) over this opening to collect the waste products.

Why does someone need a stoma?

There are several reasons why someone might have a colostomy and a stoma. This is done to save the patient's life or improve their quality of life.

Here are some of the main reasons:

• Intestinal obstruction or rupture: If the intestine becomes blocked or ruptures for some reason, waste has no way to pass through.
• Cancer: If part of the colon or rectum needs to be removed due to cancer.
• Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis: These are severe inflammatory conditions of the intestines. Sometimes, damaged parts of the intestines need to be removed.
• Birth defects: Some babies may be born with certain intestinal problems.
• Severe injuries to the colon: If the colon is damaged, such as in an accident.
• Diverticulitis: This is a condition in which small pouches form in the wall of the colon, which become infected and inflamed.

How to properly care for the stoma and bag?

After the surgery, you will stay in the hospital for a few days. Before you go home, a doctor or nurse will show you how to change the bag and keep the skin around the stoma clean. Although it may feel a little strange at first, after a while, this will become part of your daily routine.

Possible problems and their solutions

Living with a stoma can bring some minor problems. Knowing about them can help you deal with them without worrying.

• Skin redness or irritation: This is a common problem. This can be caused by impurities getting on the skin. The best solution is to always keep the skin clean and dry. Ask your doctor about special creams (barrier creams) that protect the skin.
• Changes in the color and size of the stoma: In the early days after surgery, the stoma will be dark red and swollen. Over time, the swelling will go down and the size will decrease. It will remain pink or red in color. This is normal. As the size changes, remember to trim the opening of the bag to fit that size.
• Gas: Since it is normal to have gas in your intestines, the bag can sometimes fill with gas. Limit foods that cause gas, such as cabbage, cauliflower, beans, and lentils. There are also bags that have a small vent to let the gas out.
• Watery stools: Sometimes your stools can be very watery (like diarrhea). This can lead to dehydration as your body loses a lot of water and salts. So drink plenty of water, juices, and orange juice. These will help you replace the electrolytes you have lost, such as sodium and potassium.
• Bleeding from the stoma: It is normal for a few drops of blood to come out of the stoma when you clean it. However, if the bleeding does not stop, or if you see blood inside the bag , tell your doctor immediately.
• Prolapse: This is a rare condition. This is when part of the intestine pushes out through the stoma. If you see something like this, don't panic and see your doctor. You may need to have a minor surgery to fix it.

When to see a doctor immediately

If you have any of the following symptoms, do not ignore them and see your doctor immediately.

A normal life with a stoma... is it really possible?

This is the biggest question on everyone's mind. The answer is, "Yes, it definitely is possible!"

Today's stoma bags are very small and flat. So no one will notice that they are under clothing. Also, these bags are made in a way that the odor does not come out. So you don't have to worry about smelling.

You can go to work, exercise, bathe, swim, and have a normal life. If you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about this at first, talk to your doctor about it. Some hospitals have specially trained nurses (ostomal therapists) for this. There are also support groups where people who have had similar experiences come together. Joining such a place can give you a lot of mental strength.