Colostomy
After a colostomy, you'll need to stay in hospital for a few days while you recover.
When you wake up after the operation,youmay be attached toseveral different devices, including:
These will be removed as you recover from surgery.
A clear colostomy bag will be placed over the opening (stoma) in your abdomen, soit can be easily monitored and drained. The first bag is often larger than normal colostomy bags and is usually replaced with a smaller bag before you go home.
While you're recovering in hospital, a stoma nurse will teach you how to care for your stoma, including how to empty and change the pouch.
They'll teach you how to keep your stoma and surrounding skin clean and free from irritation, and also give you advice and treatmentif youdevelop an infection.
The nurse will explain the different types of equipment available and how toget new supplies. For more information, read the page on living with a colostomy .
After you leave hospital, you'll be seen at home by a local stoma nurse. This may be the same stoma nurse you saw in hospital.
Most people are well enough to leave hospital 3-10 days after the operation.
It's important to avoid any strenuous activities at home that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will give you advice on resumingnormal activities.
In the first few weeks after your operation, you may experience excessive flatulence (gas) andunpredictable discharge from your stoma. This should start to improve as your bowel recovers from the effects of the operation.
A colostomy is a surgical procedure to divert one end of the large intestine (colon) through an opening in the abdominal wall (tummy).
There are several different ways a colostomy can be formed. The specific technique used will depend on your circumstances.
After a colostomy, you'll need to stay in hospital for a few days while you recover.
Complications of a colostomy can include rectal discharge, a parastomal hernia or a stoma blockage.
It can be difficult to adjust to a colostomy at first, but it doesn't mean you can't have a full and active life.
If your colostomy is intended to be temporary, further surgery will be needed to reverse it at a later date.