Colostomy Recovery Once Released from hospital

Hello all. I've been struggling with a stricture/obstruction. Last Thursday they operated and performed a colostomy. After surgery my kidneys and bladder started shutting down. They believe it was caused by the pain meds, anesthesia, high lactic acid and potassium. Thankfully I rebounded. I am now at home.

I am overwhelmed. The incision is painful. I'm only allowed 1 norco pain pill every 6-8 hours and that is discouraged. (Kidney issue after surgery) I can have one zophran for nausea every 4-6 hours. The bag is stinkie. I don't know what's going to happen and am unprepared.

NCOT posted that looking back her stoma was not entirely a negative experience. I've been clutching onto that thought. I need to know what to expect. Recovery times, good and bad milestones, is there a logical way to compare these samples so I'll make the right choice, what to do and not to do, how to make the bag not stink up my whole house when I empty it.

Help!!!!!

Post Edited (clo2014) : 9/15/2016 5:44:09 PM (GMT-6)

Hi clo, so do you still have part of your colon? And do you have the colostomy made from your colon or do you an an ileostomy made from your small intestines?

The majority here have an ileostomy. That is most common I think when they want bowel rest for disease or resection or when the colon is removed.

I have an ileostomy so odor isn't as much of an issue for me. An ileo is more output than poo and less bacteria where most colostomies are closer to actual stool. In my case eating fermented foods like kefir or yogurt, fermented veggies, or a probiotic has almost eliminated any odor. For some they swear by the deodorant from Safe n Simple that you squirt directly in the pouch.

As far as samples I just went by what felt the best and gave me the best wear time. Each person is different and some wear better than than others depending on your size, skin, and stoma. On some I could tell right away I didn't like the tape or adhesive or the bag.

I think it is harder to deal with when it is sprung on you. In my situation I was so sick that it gave me my life back and after having a temporary I chose to have a permanent one and kick my colon to the curb.

If I missed anything or you have more questions I would be happy to answer!

Thanks for your replies.

I have a colostomy. The hospital staff assured me that your stoma does not have nerves so it shouldn't ever hurt, I may eventually have fully formed stools come out of the stoma, and the smell is much worse with a colostomy.

Today my stoma shrunk in size by 1/3 over a couple of hours and it hurt!! Maybe it was the part stitched to the abdomen. I have a Drs. Appointment Monday morning.

The incision hurts all the time. I think its getting better but then the pain comes in waves from left field...out ta nowhere... I am a wimp.

Nausea worse than morning sickness. Zophran doesn't help a whole lot. I'm scared to do meds....those kidneys put the fear in me.

Two weeks.....one down and one to go. I think I can I think I can...

They have said we have to repair the fistulas and see how everything in there heals and then maybe we can think about trying a reconnect....but after this pain, why would I reconnect? We'll see.

Again...thanks for your responses. If you think of anything, anything at all please let me know.