Hi u guys...its official. I'm an ostomate

Just wanted to let u all know that the surgery went ok. It was laproscopic and I havw a huge red ring going thru my stoma which looks huge itself. I'm tryng to stay poeitive but its difficult. I was ok this morning until one of the nurses came in to give me my "ostomy teaching" she's not an ostomy nurse, the one I met with is the only 1 for the hospital .and she's not n town. I'm not confident n the information that I got from this nurse which was quick and very little. The bag and the ring look bulky to me and I don't see how n e one will b able to miss it. The surgeon put the stoma a little closer to my belly button than I was marked. My mom said that bc I'm so small they said they didn't have much room. Now my flange has to b cut on the top corner. Will this cause leaks? I'm so aggravated. I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for ur prayers and well wishes.

I felt the same when I was first healing from surgery. I also thought the bag and stoma would be noticeable. Remember that the appliance you are using now will most likely NOT be the appliance you use later on. Also, in the beginning you will have lots of gas, and your output wil be watery - both of these things will cause you bag to poof out. Both of these things will also go away and get better. It does take time, but this is the hard part - things will get better! I'm glad you got a chance to check in - we were all thinking of you yesterday.
Oh, and the nurses that come to see you in the hospital do tend to give very little information - at least mine did. But you've got tons of people here to give you some straight answers! :)
Keep checking in - we're all here for you. Congratulations - you're on the road to recovery now!

Just try to keep your spirits up--it's hard for all of us in the beginning. Also, keep in my even though the surgery was laproscopic you still will have some swelling. I know I had a hard time remembering what the ET nurse told me b/c of the pain killers; needless to say, my first emptying attempt was a mess!!

Wow!! I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon!!  I've been praying for you and am so glad you're doing well. Your stoma is swollen right now, but it will get smaller.

 

I used to cut the edge of my wafer to avoid my belly button, and it didn't cause any leaks. Then, I started to cut the hole in the wafer a little bit off-center, so when I put it on, it doesn't come near my belly button. Doing that shifts the wafer over a little to the right, if that makes sense.

 

Please don't worry about the applicance being bulky. The one you'll use once you're out of the hospital will be flat, and nobody will be able to see it under your clothes. Please ask us any questions you may have and thanks for keeping us posted on how you're doing.

Thank u guys. I know I posted quickly it was just that I'm feeling a little...I don't kno confused, angry, disappointed, and I felt only u guys would understand. My moms been here with me, but I'm tryng 2 keep my spirits up for her. N e way, hopefully I'll feel better soon.

P.s. N e body heard from dutchess? Last I read she was really sick and going 2 see her doctor. I also hope lipgloss is doing better. I can't wait 2 go home and I know she can't either.

Dear Praying:

It is so good to hear from you so soon! I think it is only natural that you feel a little sad, confused, aggravated, etc. so soon after surgery. I think it is the beginning of the healing process and I'm sure you will start to feel better soon when things settle down.

I too had some uninformed nurses at first but you will find someone soon who can really help. Plus you are plugged into this forum which is an ostomate's best resource!

How great is it that you are already asking after your other ostomates! You've really got the spirit of this forum in that we are all here to help each other!

God bless you and speed your recovery.

Richard

Praying,

I am glad the surgery went well. Sorry about the placement problem hopefully, you will get used to this location. How are you feeling? Have you been able to eat anything? How is your ostomy function? The bag does "feel" obvious at first and it feels very heavy, like a weight. Your stomach muscles will adjust and soon you'll rarely think about it. Like you, I am pretty small so I wear small bags made by Hollister. I like these mini bags the best. However if you have high output, this may not work for you.

Remember to play with different products and find the ones that work best for you. It is also normal to feel that you are on an emotional rollercoaster. Some days you feel ok with your bag and other days you just want to cry at the reality of having a bag. This is normal. Allow yourself to feel these emotions don't surpress them. Feel free to come into the forum and vent if you need it. We understand your situtation and want to be here to help you through.

You are doing great!