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ileostomy post-op recovery

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Posted 5/22/2006 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!

I am a 21 year old who just underwent ileostomy surgery and am having some post-op concerns.  Of greatest is the constant gas that comes out of the bag and fills it up within the hour.  The noise it makes is not conducive to fully functioning with my friends.  Does anyone have any suggestions for how to reduce the gas or the noise.  I know that the gas is not correlated with food as i am on jejunostomy feedings and no solid oral intake.

Thanks for your help!

Michelle ([email protected])

Posted 5/25/2006 3:41 AM (GMT 0)

Hi crlyq,

I'm 20 and I just had a reversal surgery of my ileostomy 4 months ago. I had the ileostomy for 20 years (since I was a week old). As for the gas filling up, there is somethign called a charcole patch..I think that's still what it's called but what you do is you put it on the upper part of the bag (where the gas endsup) and you put a pinhole through it and the bag. The air that goes into the bag is released through the patch but because of the charcole filter, there is no smell.

As for the noises, boy do I remember that. I used to give myself stomach pains holding in the gas when I was around people. But to be honest, I don't think there is a way to stop the noises. Now that my ileostomy is gone, I still fart and there's still embarassing noises!! The only thing that's worse this way is there is now a smell that comes out with it! hehe. So I don't think there's a way to get away from farting noises but I used to do little things like hold a pillow or something over my belly to try and muffle the sound..or the good ol' cough-while-you-fart trick to try and cover the noise tongue . Hope I was of some help! Keep in touch.

Ashley

Posted 5/28/2006 10:18 PM (GMT 0)

Michelle,

I am 24 years old and had a total colectomy in March so I, too, have an ileostomy.  The goods news is as your body gets used to having this surgery your body sill start to produce less gas.  As the small intestine starts to take on some of the work that the large intestine used to do, it will absorb more water and will cut down on the amount of gas coming into your bag.  I had the same problems as you for a good month or so after the surgery and I still seem to get a bit of a build up at night.  I would recommend following all of the guidelines that come with an ileostony (chew well, don't chew gum, no drinking from straws etc....as they can all cause gas).  Also try separating when you drink from when you eat by about 30 minutes as it too is supposed to cut back on gas.  If you have a two-piece pouching system you will get very good at "burping" your bag discretly and then the gas becomes less of a worry anyways.  If you find the gas to have quite an odor try taking something like Devron with each meal.  It is a pill that can be chewed or swallowed and it is an internal deodorant.  I take three a day and noticed a difference almost immediately (witin one day).  I hope you find this information helpful.

Earthgirl :-)

Posted 6/1/2006 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Dear crlyQ....I am a nurse and see lots of patients with tube feed.  That can make your tummy really busy (gas and loose stools).  I would think once you start eating normal food it may improve.  I got my ileostomy in January and at first I was really gassy and noisy.  Now most of the gas accumulates at night.  No problems, only when I eat known gassy foods.

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