Posted 5/18/2017 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I have a loop ileostomy, nearly four months. Prior to surgery I liked to take a 30 minute sauna after my daily workouts. I got a little paranoid about getting toxins out of my system because of CI, taking ten days or 2 weeks for elimination. I asked about being able to get back to old routines and was advised to get fit for a stoma/hernia belt before getting back into much with weights or resistance. I haven't found anyone that has experience with the sauna and only told to "take it easy" by the surgeon and nurses.
It's an infra-red sauna. I prefer 30 minutes @ 140* to 152*. This week I've tried it twice. I drink water (& electrolytes) before during after so I'm very careful about hydration. I thought it might feel nice to go in without the appliance for some relief to the skin around the stoma -- and it DID. I used paper towel and a washcloth to keep the area clean. The 2nd time I kept the wafer/pouch on but did a complete change after my shower.
Does anyone have any experience and/or advice. I once asked about using a heating pad for a stomach ache and was warned to be careful not to scald the stoma. I certainly don't want to do any damage... it felt fine, in fact, sweating it out feels very cleansing.
Thanks, Vicki