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Posted 5/7/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
I had my ileostomy surgery 17 days ago and things have been alright for the most part. A lot of paranoia but ive gotten through it. I still have a little surgery pain and a little swelling. I changed my flange today... it was a nightmare. I use the mouldable convetec flanges and i had this idea that i would take a shower before i changed it all over. well... it was so difficult to get off after my shower. the sticky seal part would not for the life of me peel it off. I eventually ran hot water over the flange in hopes that it would soften up and get off my skin. It worked and i ended up getting everything changed over. For some reason everything feels different today. My stomach is really bloated. Im still outputting but its so thick lately. is that bad? i drank some grape juice today in hopes to maybe loosen it a little. Its thick like toothpaste. Anyway the skin around my stoma underneath the tape part of my flange is really sensitive now. Is this because its irritated? Its not burning just sore to touch. And some of my laproscopic areas the skin around them are tender too. It wasnt like this before. could something maybe have gotten into my wound when i was showering? Its bothering me. Also do ppl experience bloating often? my stomach just feels big and my bag feels awkward this time. Any suggestions?
Posted 5/7/2011 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
If it is too thick you may have a blowout so do thin it out. Happened once to my husband but he was home but it was still unpleasant.

When you have difficulty removing the wafer be kind and gentle to your skin and use the adhesive remover wipes so you don't do damage to your skin.

Don't have any info regarding the bloating issue so maybe someone will give you some help and advice.
Posted 5/7/2011 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
What do you mean a blow out? And how would i go about loosening it?
Posted 5/7/2011 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Also... Did anyone else get a csection scar when they got their surgery? I still have the stereo strips over mine from when they removed the staples. The nurse told me to keep them on till they came off but i dont really shower or anything right now. Just wash everyday with a cloth so they are still on. Can my inscision get infected if i leave them on too long? Ive looked at it and it looks like theres dried blood or some gunk that comes out. If i take them off and im going to rip open my inscision? how long till you are completely closed up? Like i said it was 17 days ago. I dont know how ppl who have csections do it. I have a bit of a belly on me so its pretty much in a fold on my stomach. Im so paranoid im going to rip it open. :(

Post Edited (Newone) : 5/6/2011 9:57:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/7/2011 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Again I am not an expert....only happened once. My husband had very thick output one night and I think it just kind of stalled...who knows maybe things got backed up a bit...not blocked per se but too much was being output and I think the term is pancaked I have heard people describe it as. So it somehow (I think) worked itself under the wafer and instead of a leak it was oozing out. Not blowing off literally but messy.

For dinner he had eaten shimp chow mein that I ordered be cooked a bit softer and not regular stir fried and fried rice. He enjoyed it - thought the vegs. were a little too soft...NO CELERY and chewed really well. I think he ate too much and the combination with the rice later for the output just didn't cooperate that night.


We had company that night and he knew something wasn't right but didn't know what to do. At the very first sign of a leak/moisture on the wafer fabric was the time to tend to it. He waited about 3 hours and it would never have progressed to that stage had he excused himself and changed the wafer 3 hours sooner.

A lesson learned that night.
Posted 5/7/2011 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
hi newone,

are you seeing your surgoen for a follow up soon?? i would let him take a look at that incision. not saying it's infected, but it should be looked at, even if only to ease your fears. you're very short while post op and it's only normal and human to be a bit paranoid. anyway, the surgeon should look at your incision just to make sure it's not infected. don't take ANYTHING off by your self!!

about removing the wafer, don't remove it only with water! hollister's adhesive remover spray is the best, but if your skin is sensitive, then use convatec's adhesive remover wipes - they don't contain alcohol, so they are much more friendly to the skin.

about the bloating, you're not supposed to feel bloated with an ileostomy, at least not one that lasts for too long. my output is thick, b/c i have a motility disorder in my small intestine, so i do feel bloated often. i drink prune juice every day to help with it. also, i eat soft-liquid diet and only small meals, otherwise even prune juice won't help me. i hope your slow output is a temp thing and maybe due to too much thickening foods and not a slow motility. keep drinking lots of water, stay away from rice, potatoes, bannanas and all thickening foods for couple days, or at least till it clears out. see if that helps. it not, you can try a bit of prune juice, just to release the plug. i'm sure this will work it self out on it's own and it's only some set backs from being so short while post op.
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