Post Surgery Questions (End Ileostomy)

Hello to all. I joined this forum last September prior to surgery and have not posted since my surgery on October 10, 2014.

I had UC for 37 years which finally brought about cancer of the rectum. Due to my history with UC everything was removed. I mean everything, colon, rectum, anus, and sphincter muscle. I also have a "Ken butt" vs "Barbie butt" since I am a male Adapting to the ileostomy has not been a problem. Didn't have a viable choice due to cancer. Life is good. Now on to my questions.

I have what I believe to be a hernia. It is like a small hill around the stoma when standing and flattens out when lying down. This presents a problem when changing the wafer. I must be laying down to change since I cannot see the bottom and the wafer does not adhere well. My wife has been a wonderful nurse and changes it for me but I want to be more independent. Any suggestions on techniques on changing the wafer? I use the Hollister two piece.

Next is clothing. My stoma is about two inches above the waist line and about one inch to the right of my navel. I have a little bit of a belly but not much. I lost 30 pounds since the surgery. I have ordered a stealth belt pro that will be here Saturday. I am hoping it will allow me to tuck my shirts into my pants. Any suggestions regarding how to dress with minimum exposure will be appreciated.

I know these are minor questions. I suppose I am more conscious and aware of my appearance than others around me i.e. the pouch.

I have learned a lot reading this forum and will continue to read it.

The best to all of you.

Wayne

Thanks Gentle Now. I have been truly blessed. All healed. No issues except the hernia. Eat most anything I want but still will not try popcorn. I have all of my small intestine and my surgeon did a great job with my stoma.

I have been surgically cured of cancer and did not have to take chemo or radiation and no longer have UC.

Life is good.

Hopefully the stelth belt will help, I have not tried one. I, like you, have the complete ostomy and "Ken" butt. My stoma is about at the belt line so after walking or moving about, the trousers tend to drop a little which lowers the belt just below the stoma which in turn cuts off the pouch from filling the lower and major portion. This can sometimes cause leaks as it forces the output under the wafer and out to the edge.
I also prefer the shirt tucked in look so I normally wear a golf or tee shirt tucked in then suspenders so the trousers can be a little loose then a pull over sweater that ends at the waist still giving that tucked in appearance. In that it won't be seen I often wear a belt as well but very loose, just to give the suspenders something to get a tight grip on. This works for me.

Hi CWM
Yes, it's a hernia and when you lay down and it goes back in it is said that the hernia "reduces." I recommend a ostomy support belt from Nu-Hope. I wear mine day and night and only take it off to shower.

To change you can stand in front of the bathroom mirror to see everything. Also have a small mirror standing up on the counter angled so you can see the bottom of your pouching area. You can take the mirror in your hand to examine your stoma and peristomal skin closely. After changing, lay down and let the hernia reduce, then pop on your ostomy/hernia support belt. This support belt will let you tuck in your shirts, too.

I believe it's very important to be independent in caring for your stoma, and you should be the one doing it. What about when you have an emergency and you are out in public without your wife? This is taking care of your bathroom functions, after all!

I've had my ileostomy for two and a half years now, and it was very hard for the first few months. There is quite a long learning curve. After about 9 months, I was sailing along as happily as possible! You will become independent with your ileo and life will be good. Good luck with everything! Oh, and eakin seals! I recommend also whichever barrier ring your skin likes. They made my ileostomy much easier to care for!

Here's how I apply my pouching system. I also use Hollister two-piece. I change once a week, after my naked shower. This is early in the morning, first thing after waking, before I eat or drink anything.

Have everything laid out ready on the sink counter. Examine stoma and skin. Dry peristomal skin with low heat hair dryer for a couple of seconds. If there is any red, irritated spots, dab on ostomy powder. Wipe skin barrier cloth around stoma. Dry again with hair dryer.

Apply Eakin seal. I cut my seal into two, then four, then eight equal pieces. I pull and shape each piece into a long rectangle. It takes three of these lengthened, flattened pieces to encircle my stoma. I get three changes out of each seal. Put the seal right on your skin right up next to the stoma. After your stoma is encircled, warm your wafer (sticky part) with the hair dryer, then put it over your stoma, cut just a hair bigger than your stoma so it can wiggle while it works! The eakin seal fills in whatever slight gap there may be.

Snap on your pouch and you are good to go! I hope this helps. Just be patient, and you will find the routine and the products that work for you, but it will take time (that learning curve). Things are going to get better. Just count your blessings, give your wife a smooch, say, "I got it from here, honey!" and just keep going!