How delicate???

I always babied my old stoma and it worked for 4 years and was just great. I swam and walked and ballroom danced and traveled with wheeled suit cases. No heavy lifting. THEN the stoma stenosed and I had to get a new one. THIS one needs revision as it will only pass liquid poo. BUT in the way of getting this one diagnosed a resident did a finger check and found it to be TIGHT. THe next day I found that she had put two total cracks in the side of the stoma thru which poo was coming. I was given the warning signs of peritonitis and put on peritonitis watch until the cracks healed. They healed with scar tissue now the function of the stoma is even worse. BUT this was major trauma to a stoma with LOTS of bleeding. This damaged my new stoma, not that it was that great to begin with, but WHO KNOWS without this damage maybe it would have worked OK in the end and I would not be facing revision.

So just know that if you happen to slightly bump your stoma lightly or if it bleeds a tiny drop when you change the flange or clean around it, that that is nothing to worry about. I would say enjoy life, but have it in the back of your mind to be careful. Just my take and I have been through a lot.

Rosemary

Thanks guys, yea i can see where your comin from. Sometimes i feel like i could run a marathon and sometimes i think i cant bend down to pick somethin up lol i think its mostly mental ha

     Ditto Another UC wife....btw...isn't your wedding coming up soon?

Its way too early for you to worry about doing lots of exercises! After my last surgery I waited about 3 months before I started insanity back again, and about 4 before I started the Ab circuit.
I don't baby it much, I don't go around hitting it with bricks or anything, but I don't worry too much about it getting injured. They do bleed very easily, so don't be alarmed if you should see a bag full of blood after a change.I have cut mine before and had the bag fill a fourth of the way up with blood! Kind of freaky but normal.

that was after the adhesion surgery, I was in fairly good shape before it, and wasn't sick. So it was a bit different than the original surgery. Also I already had a strong core which i think is the most important thing for recovery. Made it so much easier to move and lessened the pain.

Definitely let us know how the wedding went when it's convenient. Best of luck and hope the day goes perfectly.

It seemed to take forever for my scar to be ok with jeans. It was weird.

Stomas really aren't too terribly delicate. You will know when it is time to do a little more. You will get used to your ostomy and not think about it as much and physically feel stronger and more healed. Then you will be comfortable doing more active things. I ran a half marathon with mine and have now done one with my j-pouch, too. Give yourself time to heal and adjust and then you should be able to do just about anything you like.

Thanks guys and gals! Today is the big day!!! Ha i appreciate your replies! Looks like its just down to the waitin game and lettin my body heal with time :)

God Bless!!!