Stoma Care After Surgery
Proper stoma care can allow you to resume your daily routine as usual without any issues, especially once you have become accustomed to managing your stoma’s needs.
Post-Stoma Surgery Tips
You will need to stay in the hospital for three to ten days or until your stoma has started functioning without any complications. During this time, a nurse will teach you everything about stoma care, including changing the stoma bag, maintaining stoma hygiene, and more. Take the time to ask as many questions as possible and take notes during these sessions.
It will take some time to make a recovery, so be patient and notify the medical team if you feel any discomfort. In the first few days after surgery, you will have to stay on a fluid-only diet delivered by nasal or intravenous drip directly to your stomach. Once your digestive tract “wakes up,” you may start taking soft or easily digested foods. Be advised that some foods may be tougher to digest and cause issues such as blockages; however, you should try different things slowly to see how you (or your body) react.
Similarly, your stoma will take some time to produce output, and you may experience some discomfort in the form of colic pains or bloating; these pains should subside and disappear after several days. To help with this, you should take short walks or have small servings of food at regular hours. Once your stoma starts functioning, its output may be erratic initially, with loose stools or constipation. After a few weeks, your bowel movements should begin to normalise.
Managing Your Diet
Your appetite will seem reduced at first, but it helps to have small servings at regular intervals while your appetite slowly returns. You can soon continue eating your favourite foods, but you must be mindful of what you eat to prevent digestive tract blockages.
Here are several tips to help you with properly managing your dietary needs.
- It may be ideal to have six small meals throughout the day instead of three regular meals daily. You can (and should) adjust this to your changing dietary needs.
- Chew your food properly and thoroughly so that it is easily digestible.
- You should always stay hydrated; drink at least 8 to 10 glasses a day, equal to about two litres of water.
- Take fibre in moderation; foods with soluble fibre are preferable since they are easier to digest but can still cause bloating or gassiness. Your doctor may tell you when you can reintroduce fibre into your diet.
- Add lactose-free dairy/milk, yoghurt, eggs, low-fibre biscuits, protein-rich foods, and low-fat options to your diet while minimising high-fat content, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, and carbonated drinks.
- Be sure to slowly reintroduce foods into your diet to avoid unwanted digestive complications. If you develop any intolerances, notify your doctor immediately. In some cases, these intolerances go away after your digestive tract recovers.
- Add lactose-free dairy/milk, yoghurt, eggs, low-fibre biscuits, protein-rich foods, and low-fat options to your diet while minimising high-fat content, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, and carbonated drinks.
- Check the nutritional information of food items you plan on buying; remember the tips mentioned earlier while you are out shopping.
- Always include a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables into your diet (while abiding by existing dietary restrictions).
- To reduce gassiness, avoid chewing gum, drinking from a straw, smoking, skipping meals, or eating too fast. You should also reduce your intake of beans, peas, onions, and soft drinks, as they contribute to gassiness and foul odour.
- It may be helpful to gently massage your abdomen to help alleviate any digestive blockages or discomfort.
- If you are having a blockage, drinking lots of water may allow the blockage to pass.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise can be good for your health and stoma. Light to moderate physical activity can encourage better gut movement and improve your metabolism. Even a slow walk around the ward sometime after surgery can do wonders for your recovery and reduce the chances of an infection.
Of course, before you begin any exercise routine, speak to your doctor about simple exercises you can start with.
- Typically, you should start slowly and steadily build your pace comfortably. Avoid lifting weights for the first 12 weeks after surgery or as your doctor advises.
- Take up new forms of exercise, like yoga, cycling, or swimming. With proper support, you can have a great time during these sessions.
- You may feel quite self-conscious about exercising with your stoma bag. Rest assured, you can find comfortable, stoma-safe clothing options to help you with this and restore your confidence.
- Avoid overexerting yourself during your exercise routine. When you feel tired, call it a day and get some rest.
Travelling with a Stoma
A stoma should never stop you from doing whatever you want, including travelling abroad. Here are some tips to help you manage your stoma with little difficulty.
- You should bring sufficient stoma management supplies and medication (if needed) with you. As a precaution, you should also bring double the amount of supplies you usually use.
- Keep your supplies in your hand luggage for convenience.
- Look into travel insurance with coverage for stomas and any other conditions you may have.
- You may want to ask for a doctor’s letter to show the relevant persons or authorities that you have a medical condition.
- Be mindful of what you eat and drink to avoid untoward incidents during your trip. Planning ahead on food and other necessities may be a good idea.
- As a safety precaution, only use bottled water to clean your peristomal area and stoma. Unfiltered tap water may not always be safe, so it would be better to play it safe.
- An old myth claims your stoma bag may explode due to changes in air pressure while on a flight. Rest assured that this is false; just be mindful of what you eat on the flight, and everything will be fine.
Taking Care of Stoma After Surgery
If you notice any unnatural changes to your stoma, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Occasionally, complications can arise due to improperly fitted or blocked stoma bags. Here is how to alleviate some of the more common complications you might face.
Taking Care of Diarrhoea and Constipation
Diarrhoea and constipation can be concerning issues; diarrhoea causes your motions to become mostly liquid, while constipation makes it difficult to pass any motion. Relieving both may require you to seek medical attention to determine if you are having a stomach upset, a blockage, or some other issue. Constipation can generally be treated by drinking plenty of fluids to help promote smoother bowel movements, but if you are vomiting fairly often, prompt medical attention is required.
Waste Matter Exposure
In some cases, waste matter can collect around your stoma and seep between the opening of the stoma bag and your skin. As mentioned earlier, waste matter can cause skin irritation and soreness due to its higher acidic level. One reason is that there may be insufficient air inside the bag, causing the sides of the bag to stick together.
It may be helpful to fill the bag with air and cover the filter before you use it. When you have bowel movements, open the filter and see if it helps move the waste matter into the bag. Placing a small toilet paper ball or cotton wool ball into the bag can be equally helpful.
Preventing Stoma Leakage
Stoma leakage can sometimes happen without warning due to a stomach upset, an improperly fitted stoma bag, or a change in your diet, causing more frequent bowel movements that quickly fill up the stoma bag. If it concerns your diet, you should carefully review what you eat or have eaten to prevent another leakage.
If it concerns your stoma, first ensure that the stoma bag fits securely around it with no gaps; this will also ensure that waste matter does not affect your skin. You may also need to measure your stoma to determine if it has changed in size. If it has, you will need to adjust the size of the template and ensure a comfortable, tight fit to cover the stoma.
How to Care for Stoma Bleeding
Stomas may sometimes bleed when you clean them; this is normal as there is a high concentration of blood vessels near the top of the stoma. There is no need to panic if you notice bleeding around the stoma. However, if you find the bleeding is coming from inside the stoma, or if it still bleeds even after you gently wipe it, contact your doctor immediately. If you have any doubts about the bleeding, you should still contact your doctor as a precaution.
What to Do with a Stoma Prolapse
A stoma prolapse is when the stoma seems to be protruding further out of its position; if left untreated, it can easily suffer from abrasions or infections. The stoma can still function normally, but treating a prolapsed stoma is recommended to improve health outcomes. A prolapsed stoma can happen because the muscles supporting it have weakened or were strained from lifting or other activities. That also means the stoma size can change, requiring you to alter your stoma bag’s fit.
Pay close attention to how your prolapsed stoma looks and whether you experience any blockages, discomfort, or pain. If you have concerns, speak to your doctor for advice on how to manage it. If necessary, your surgeon will re-site the stoma’s position for better long-term comfort.
What to Do with a Stoma Retraction
The opposite of a prolapse is a retraction, where the stoma seems to “shrink” as it lays flat on your skin or below its surface level. Much like a prolapse, you must observe your stoma closely and ensure it does not cause leaks from ill-fitted bags or skin irritation. You may need a different baseplate to ensure a proper fit, or use an ostomy belt to help support the stoma. Your doctor may also suggest a re-siting of the stoma if you are still facing complications.
How to Relieve Bowel Obstructions
- Acute abdominal pain.
- Difficulty passing motion.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Getting Stoma Care with SOZO Wound Care
Managing a stoma can seem daunting at first, but you can rest easy knowing SOZO Wound Care’s specialists are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you may have doubts about living with a stoma or how it can affect your post-surgery lifestyle, we are here to put your doubts to rest and give you detailed information and medical support to help you live a fulfilling life even with a stoma. Contact us today to learn how we can provide professional stoma care for you or your loved one.
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