Assistance /guidance for my Dad

Hello please excuse my ignorance but I am doing research for my dad as he is leaving rehab to go home and has so many questions about the tricks and trades of having an illiostomy
He was in hospital for an unrelated issue and due to complications he now had to get the procedure
With that said he does not yet have an WOCN which we are working on but bottom line is other than emptying and burping the bag that is all we know.
May I ask if anyone can give me options for best practices- clothing for wearing work suits, and best things to wear and use for swimming,boating shower (even what to wear if being intimate- he would hate that I am asking this but I am sure it is on his mind)🤔also nutrition and hydration and any insight of complications what he should look out for I know this is an overload of questions but he has so many things to get his arms around that I just want to start the process for him
Thank you thank you for any guidance
Gina

Post Edited (odetodad) : 1/7/2018 4:25:25 PM (GMT-7)

Lol thank you. I was like maybe I was too overwhelming with all my questions
Thank you for your guidance - cheers to my dads new venture!
Thank you

Welcome to the forum. Good for you...looking out for your Dad.

I think at first I would concentrate on his healing, samples of bags, and his outlook. Keep things positive. There are many many people that have an illeostomy and they go hiking, climbing and swimming. It is what you make of it. First he needs to get used to his new little friend and find his center...to regroup.

For me it took about 3 months to start to get the hang of things and by 6 months I was even better. I have a colostomy so it is different yet comparable. I am somewhat cautious and I had some hiccups so he may get there much faster.

I would advise him to wear a support belt (if they gave him one while in the hospital) to prevent a hernia-especially when he is just beginning the healing process. Make sure he places a pillow over the incision and stoma when he is going to sneeze or cough. Chew each bite 50 times. Drink lots of water while you are eating and through out the day. I would follow a low residue diet until the doctor told me I could experiment. Clothing...he will have to experiment with that. I now wear high waisted underwear...and sometimes I have to wear some with support. (I developed a little hernia)

And depending on the person...for me...my stoma is private. When my sister asked to see it...I told her I would show her mine if she showed me hers...so please be mindful... I do not want my spouse to watch me change my bag. (Or anyone else) but some people don't care. I have a friend that shows hers to everyone...lol..

M-9 really does help with the smell. I would also arrange a place for his ostomy supplies in the bathroom, (Wal-Mart has rolling plastic bins that work), ensure he has a mirror that is low enough that he can look at his stoma when he is changing it,(Wal-Mart hanging over the door) and get him a little notebook so he can write down the sample supplies he tries and Likes so he will know what to order.

Oh...and finally...have him sign on and read our posts. They helped me tremendously...and I did not feel so alone.

You and your Dad are in my thoughts and prayers.

Clo

A few quick suggestions—
On change day, eat a few marshmallows an hour before. It helps reduce the chance of an unexpected accident while changing.
After showering use a hair dryer on the wafer, if possible, to reheat and thoroughly dry the wafer.
If odor is bothersome, pop a few peppermint Altoids in the pouch.
Check out Ostomy Secrets, they sell wraps for men which work perfectly for those intimate moments as well as going to the beach.
Always remember to stay hydrated — check out H2Ors sold on Amazon. It’s perfect for rehydration.
Best of luck. Write if you need anything else.

Derek go to Ulcerstive Colitis forum. U get more of a response