Nervous about an ostomy

had my perm ileo 2 years ago best thing I ever did . With the battle I had with uc . Once you get use to it its really not that bad. Its a way better life then having to know where every bathroom is when you go some where and being in pain all the time . There some good video on you tube . Hope this hopes a bit edith (this is really a much  better life now than before my ostomy)

Having a bag doesn't change your daily life by much. The only time you will even notice it after a while is when you go to the bathroom. It's not going to keep you from doing anything, it won't smell or show.
Once you get your system down, which can take a few months, you shouldn't have to worry about leaks.
It won't change what you eat or what you drink or where you go.
I think a lot of people feel like a bag will totally change everything they do, but it really won't. You will need probably 10 minutes once or twice a week to change it (after you get your routine down) and a few minutes every two months or so to order supplies.
Honestly the only thing I do differently other than have a bag instead of regular plumbing is use my left pants pocket instead of my right. And that's only because I have a habit of putting everything in my pocket and I stuck some earrings in my right pocket one day and realized that might be a disaster!
If you have problems with your anus you might be better off to just go ahead and get a stoma, it would be awful to have one surgery then have to go back and do another. Your surgeon can give you a lot more information about that, and get a second and third opinion if you want. Ask all the questions you can think of even if they seem off the wall or dumb.

As for complications those usually happen to people who actually have crohns or had emergency surgery that results in poor stoma placement or construction. Blockages are a possibilty, but can usually be fixed at home. Adhesions are possible, but rare, and might need surgery. I actually had to have a surgery last year for adhesions, it wasn't fun but the years I had already had without UC thanks to my bag more than made it worth it. That's not the norm though, most people don't have that problem. I'm just letting you know some of the things that can happen, because as you know, the surgeon is going to tell you all kinds of things that scare you!

Hi, I just had my surgery June 17th. I am doing great now. I don't even remember I have the bag sometimes. Don't get me wrong the first few days were hell, but if I had to tell you anything I would say that the butt healing was the worst. I was out of the hospital within four days and healed better at home. I would be happy to answer and of your questions or concerns. I am eating pretty much everything I have wanted other then I have not done a salad. For some reason I do not crave sweets anymore just lots of steak, chicken and fish. Probably what I have been lacking for years. Best of luck. Oh, and the most important thing is I am feeling more and more like my old self. Gonna start working out because I finally have the energy to do so.

i had the surgery for a different reason. i suffered colonic inertia and it consumed my life totally! the stoma was a hard decision, but turned out to be the best decision i've ever made. had it done 3 yrs ago and don't regret it for a second. if i had to go back in time, would do it all over again with no hesitation.

i now have a loop ileo. after 3 yrs with it i decided it's enough. the rectal stump is making me miserable so i'm having surgery on Aug 25 to remove the rectal stump and making my loop ileo an end ileo.

life with an ileostomy has improved my quality of life greatly! it doesn't stop me from doing anything i want. it doesn't smell, it doesn't show, it doesn't make noises. just a different route for my plumbing. best of luck to you!!

edithmbooth,

Sorry to hear about your situation....and, i'm not sure what you've been diagnosed with if it's UC or Chron's, and if you've had a second opinion?

The bad thing is it's happened so fast, and the good thing is it's happened so fast.....since you have not been on prednisone for years, like myself and many on this forum, you should recover from surgery relatively quickly and not have so much prednisone withdrawal.

As far as time to recover, my surgeon told me the average time is 6 months to 2 years - though several on this forum have been back to "normal" sooner than 6 months. My Dr. told me my body was on the two year plan (after several years of prednisone) and he was right...it wasn't until April of this year that I finally felt "normal" - no nausea, pain, weakness, dizziness, etc.

Find a good surgeon, a good hospital, and a good WOCN! And, see if you can contact a local Ostomy association where you live. This forum is great, but it's nice to talk to people in person or on the phone who've been through this!

God bless you!

Thank you EnigmaWrap. You are right it is a good and bad thing about my diagnosis. I do have a wonderful moon face right now though LOL

Diagnosis is UC. 3 opinions actually...ugh

My surgeon is putting me in touch with the support group here in Toronto...I am sure I will be able to meet loads of folks and get loads of info.

Surgery is planned for September...could I get lucky and remicaide will work this time? fingers crossed....remission would be amazing!

MusicMaker...glad you are feeling great! Good luck for tomorrow!