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Which side for an ileostomy - left or right?

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Posted 4/5/2012 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
I am going back to my ileostomy and have been given the option of left or right side - however they cannot put it where it was before but can put it above the scar.

I really dont know what side to opt for now, and wondered if anyone can think of anything that might help me with this decision.

Thankx :-)

Posted 4/5/2012 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
I guess personal preference really. When I was asked where I wanted mine I was concentrating more on if it would be near the waist line.

The stoma was placed on my right side, probably because it was a loop ileo. I'm left handed though so I preferred it on my right side.
Posted 4/5/2012 5:22 PM (GMT 0)

Good question.  I thought an ileostomy went on the right and a colostomy on the left unless there were circumstances preventing that placement.  

Mine is to the right and a little above my belly button.  I know most are lower, but I actually wanted it higher, so I could see and reach it better.   Also, I am right handed and for me it seemed it would be easier to work with using my right hand and not having to reach across my belly to get to it.    I am a Grandma, so I wasn't concerned about wearing clothing or a bikini which would have made a lower placement more beneficial cool

Posted 4/5/2012 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
     My end ileo is on the left side a bit lower than the navel.  The reason it is on the left is that I have situs inversus.  All my organs are on the opposite side.  After surgery, I found out that my surgeon, who has been in practice since 1978 and has performed many of these surgeries, never had a patient with situs inversus.  I was his first rolleyes .  Good thing I didn't find that out until after the surgery.  It is a very rare conditiion and I thank GOD every night that everything...although on opposite sides...is functioning normally.  They didn't find this out until I was eleven years old and my family doctor told my mother I had a faint heart beat and to take me over to Einstein Medical in Philly for an EKG.  I am now 65 yrs old.

     I asked my surgeon if there was a problem doing the surgery.  He said, "Nope, I just stood on the opposite side."  LOL!

Posted 4/17/2012 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your replies i really appreciate it. !! :-)

Yep clothes is an importnat one - my new jeans actually stop just where my old scar is so it might be having it higher is a good thing? who knows.  then again i want to wear that bikini on my hols like sarah (ironmum) did.  however each body is different and it might not work. urgh decisions x

Posted 4/18/2012 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
I too am on a second ileostomy .......due to FAP and colon cancer. Was given a choice as well as to where I wanted the stoma placed. My first ostomy was on the right side and I had horrible times with leakage. For the next surgery, four years later, I had a stoma nurse come in and inspect my abdomen to find the best location. She marked with a Sharpie two different spots for surgeon to choose from. Ended up on left side and I honestly feel there isn't a whole lot of difference. I will say I do like the stoma lower on the abdomen....seems to work better with clothes. Yes, horrible decision, I agree!!!!!!
Posted 4/18/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Well glad it worked out for you. Yes being female with our different clothing is a problem - all my jeans stop at differnet places just below my navel so it is a nightmare trying to think of what is best. i wish i didnt have this decision.
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