6 Tips For Navigating Life With An Ostomy
An ostomy can be a life-changing procedure with various implications but an individual who has undergone it can still live an enriching and full life if they learn how to manage the concerns that can arise. Here are some tips for better navigating life after an ostomy and continuing with all the activities you love.
1. Always Be Prepared
Living with an ostomy is all about being adequately prepared whether you are at home, doing grocery shopping or even playing golf. Take the time to learn your new needs and read up and consult your doctor about the kind of problems that can arise due to factors like temperature or physical exertion. Design a modus operandi for any such incidents so you can conduct your daily activities with confidence knowing you can handle a problem if it arises.
A huge part of curbing anxiety and unease is not only preparing for what can happen but also knowing your personal reactions to the ostomy procedure. For many people leakages during sleeping or napping are more common than damage to the bag on the go. Each individual that has undergone an ostomy needs to find out for themselves how their body is reacting to the procedure.
Carry an emergency changing pouch with you at all times with odor-controlling bags, extra ostomy bags, wipes, disinfectant and so forth so that no matter where you are, you can practice first aid if there is a leak just until you get to a hospital. Many people who have been living with an ostomy for a long time are so adept at changing their pouches as the need arises, they rarely require medical assistance.
2. Establish A Routine
Ostomy procedures need a fair bit of maintenance which can slightly vary from case to case. Listen carefully and note down the instructions given to you by your surgeon and healthcare provider.
Ostomy bags are generally changed at least twice a week but in certain cases the need for changing may be more frequent. Always change your bag after bathing for hygiene purposes and lay out the changing items beforehand for convenience. Your doctor may advise you only change on an empty stomach to avoid any spillage or leakage.
Your ostomy maintenance routine should include emptying the pouch when the contents fill up and unless you have a caregiver or are very elderly, the task will need to be carried out by you. Decide on a time that suits you for emptying and never let it get full all the way, always change at about 1/3rd fill up.
Rinse your pouch well or use a specialized lubricating deodorant for the ostomy pouch if odor is increasingly becoming a problem. Your doctor may recommend more frequent pouch replacements if odor continues to be an issue in your daily life. Perfecting the exact position that works well for you will come with time as everyone is different.
3. Get A Good Fit
Due to fat deposits or other discrepancies in the surface of the skin and its lower layers, the ostomy pouch may not fit just right. Consult your doctor about how you can avoid leakages and spillages as most people that navigate life after an ostomy cite this as the main reason for public embarrassment or an impediment in doing activities they used to enjoy before. Investing in a barrier ring ostomy can be useful as it is a tool for getting a better fit for your pouch and preventing a problem from occurring. In some cases the surgeon may suggest more than one barrier ring for a good fit depending on how uneven the surface is.
4. Get Support
Navigating life with an ostomy pouch is a huge transition and it can mentally and emotionally help to take part in a support group where others are battling the same problems as you. It can make you feel heard and make daily life more rewarding rather than going the route alone.
Support groups for ostomy patients can also bring to light tips and tricks and advice on how to manage life with an ostomy pouch in a more effective manner. Each condition and the aftermath of surgery have certain implications for one’s mental health and support groups, therapy or other community activities can lessen the ill effects.
5. Don’t Test Your Limits
When one comes out of an ostomy procedure, there can be an innate tendency to prove to the world that everything is fine but one should take things slowly and learn more about how their body is adapting to the change. Exerting oneself too soon can have unpleasant if not dangerous consequences so it is vital to build up slowly as you reenter activities and hobbies that were fun and relaxing for you.
When the ostomy procedure has been carried out and much time has not passed, there can be a time period of shock or denial as the patient gets used to the reality of having the pouch and having to change it regularly. Follow the diet plan the doctor has set up for you, drink plenty of water, keep track of the condition of the pouch and always carry your emergency kit. An ostomy can be a change for the better for people with chronic urinary incontinence among other serious conditions.
6. Adapt Your Clothing
Certain aspects of daily life such as clothing will doubtlessly need to be adapted after an ostomy procedure. Many patients prefer looser fitting pants and shirts so that in warmer weather especially they are not sweating profusely due to the pouch also being present in there. Wearing comfortable loose clothes makes it easier to change the pouch or to check up on it when you are out and about. If the clothing is tight, it could put undue pressure on the pouch increasing the chances of a leakage or a spillage. Certain types of underwear are also better suited to holding an ostomy bag in place.
