NAVIGATION
Return to Main SiteTable of Contents
Introduction The Digestive Tract What is a Colostomy? What is a Stoma? Types of Colostomy Stomas
End Colostomy End Colostomy With aMucus Fistula End Colostomy With aRectal Stump Loop Colostomy What is a Pouching System? Pre-operative Preparation Post-operative Expectations Learning to Live With aColostomy Going Home Ongoing Considerations forDaily Living Colostomy Irrigations Work Activities Bathing Skin Care Clothing Weight Gain and Weight Loss Travel Sexual Relations Medications Dietary Management Excessive Gas Odour Diarrhea Constipation Post-Surgical Hospital orClinic Visits Medic Alert Concerns to Report to YourDoctor and/or ET Nurse Glossary Resource List Personal Information References |
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Download the booklet A Guide to Living With a Colostomy in PDF format. |
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A GUIDE TO LIVING WITH A COLOSTOMY |
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After your surgery, you usually have follow-up visits at the hospital or at your surgeon's clinic. When you go for your follow-up visit:
Take enough supplies for a complete change of your pouching system. Inform the staff if your rectum and anus were removed or if you have a mucous fistula. This will help them plan your care. If a follow-up bowel examination such as a barium enema or colonoscopy is planned, you will receive detailed information about the procedure and required preparation. Laxatives are given to cleanse the bowel prior to these procedures. An open-ended drainable pouching system is recommended for management of increased colostomy output during this time. Procedures using barium can be quite constipating. Ask your doctor about taking laxatives or doing irrigations for this potential problem. Contact an ET nurse, family doctor or surgeon if you have concerns or questions.If you are being treated for another medical (i.e. diabetes) or a different surgical condition, remember to tell your doctor and all health care providers at the hospital or clinic that you have a colostomy.
Medic Alert®
Wearing a Medic Alert® bracelet informs health care professionals of your colostomy in case of an emergency. Discuss with an ET nurse or your doctor the information to include on the Medic Alert® identification. Application forms are available at many pharmacies across Canada. Medic Alert® identification is also available for wristwatches.
Concerns to Report to Your Doctor and/or ET Nurse
Contact your doctor or ET nurse if you experience any of the following problems:
Marked change(s) in stoma size or appearance Irritated skin around your stoma Excessive bleeding from the stoma Unresolved constipation or diarrhea Swelling near or around your stoma Increased tenderness or foul smelling discharge from the perineal wound if the rectum and anus were removed Bleeding from the rectum, if the rectum was not removed Ongoing problem(s) with leakage from your pouching system
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