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Your questions for the doctors?

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Ostomies
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Posted 4/3/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, you all have done a TREMENDOUS job answering my questions. I still cannot express how thankful I am to have such an understanding community. I hopped over here because I was *lost* and everyone embraced me and I never have felt more comfortable before!

Here is my *list* of questions....can you help add to them? As I'm going through my day.. I'm reminded of a few more. I swear I need to leave a notepad at my bedside as I think of a ton just before bed!

Questions for the doctor...
  • Post surgery restrictions (cleaning, lifting, sports, etc)? How long?
    How long off work?
    Pain management?
    location – right or left? Reasoning?
    What kind of incision? How big?
    Will I have an ostomy nurse to help with bag changes until comfortable?
    How long is the surgery?
    What does the opening look like?
    How does the hole stay sealed around the bag?
    How long will I stay under post-surgery?
    Will I receive supplies in the hospital? Enough to go home for how long?
    How is showering with an ostomy bag? Will I required to wait for a certain time period post surgery?
    How long do you go without eating? What’s the gradual process back to food?
    How long is the prep? What is it like?
Posted 4/3/2009 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Good questions!
But you will need to ask the ET nurse the qestuions the bag, like showering and such. as a general rule the surgeons dont know a whole lot about them.
Posted 4/3/2009 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Post surgery restrictions (cleaning, lifting, sports, etc)? How long? It will depend on type of surgery...open vs. lapro...if you haven't had other surgeries, I would suggest finding a doc that does lapro (shorter recovery)


How long off work?  also, depends on surgery


Pain management? everyone is different...I do vicodin and dilaudid


location – right or left? Reasoning?  Ileo on right...Colostomy on left...usually!!


What kind of incision? How big?  Depends on type of surgery


Will I have an ostomy nurse to help with bag changes until comfortable?  In the hospital, they'll do the majority, but they'll want you to try...you may be able to get a home nurse to help for a week or so, but the sooner you do it the better you'll be.  My hubby has NEVER changed mine, but some spouses do change them


How long is the surgery?  Depends


What does the opening look like?  The stoma?  it's a "red rosebud"  look on line for pics


How does the hole stay sealed around the bag?  technology...great adhesive stuff:)


How long will I stay under post-surgery? everyone is different


Will I receive supplies in the hospital? Enough to go home for how long?  They'll give you a few changes and place an order that will be sent to your house.


How is showering with an ostomy bag? Will I required to wait for a certain time period post surgery?  Usually you can shower right away, but you'll probably have to be careful with your incision...I just covered it with plastic wrap until my staples were out.


How long do you go without eating? What’s the gradual process back to food?  Once your bowels wake up (gas/output) you'll start on liquids and progress to softs and then low residue for whatever your doc prefers


How long is the prep? What is it like?  If you have to do it, it depends what your doc likes...but they sux so go to clears a day or so before to make it easier on you.

I like to know my answers before I ask the question...it gives me a better perspective...so I answered these.  You may have more now, but you've got great ones for your doc...not long now tongue

Post Edited (OHIO76) : 4/3/2009 12:46:09 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/3/2009 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Kaycie --- I am the queen of notes to myself... yes, I do have a notepad and pen in my nightstand, and one in the kitchen, and of course, my purse. They always say that writing down everything on your mind when you are having a hard time falling asleep will allow you to clear your mind and drift off more easily. I do.

I would be sure that you know who your contacts are and phone numbers outside of business hours, like on the weekends, if you have an issue (NOT saying you will). Better to know just in case.

You have a great list of questions for the doctor but as Ohio said, most of them are sooo individual to each patient, and the surgeon may not be able to answer some of them until AFTER the surgery. You may also be able to find some of the answers on the internet and we can help to fill in the gaps as well, but it will be Our experiences which may differ greatly from what you will experience.

When is your appt with the surgeon? You may have said, but I don't recall right off hand.
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