After removing the diseased part of the colon, the surgeon will connect its two healthy ends. Sometimes, it is necessary to give both these ends some time to heal before re-connection. Therefore, the surgeon may create a temporary colostomy to allow for the convenient removal of wastes from the body. In some cases, the entire lower colon, including the rectum and anus, is removed to treat highly severe cancer. In that case, the colostomy created is usually permanent.
During colostomy surgery, the surgeon will create an opening through the abdominal wall and connect the healthy part of the bowel to that opening so that a part of it sticks out on the abdomen. This bud-like opening is known as a stoma. The stool passes out through the stoma and is collected into a plastic bag known as the ostomy pouch.
What to expect after surgery
A patient will undergo colostomy surgery under the influence of general anesthesia. After surgery, there will be a hospital stay of three days to two weeks, depending on the recovery pace and the risk of complications. There might be some discomfort during the first few weeks after surgery. Your doctor will suggest some medicines to control this discomfort.
After surgery, you will have to wear an ostomy pouch over the stoma to manage your stool evacuations. The flange of this pouch will adhere to the skin around the stoma, forming a leak-proof seal. The nurse will teach you how to take care of your ostomy pouch and check for infections or other stoma complications. With proper care, you should be able to return to a healthy and active life routine. You may need to avoid carrying heavy objects, though.
Why may you need a colostomy?
You will need a colostomy if a part of your colon has been removed due to disease or cannot perform its function properly. A colostomy may be a part of colorectal cancer treatment.
How well it works
A colostomy helps evacuate bodily wastes when the lower diseased part of the colon cannot function properly. In simple words, it is a life-saving procedure that allows you to survive the most severe conditions in your bowel. A colostomy is the best bet for people suffering from advanced colon and rectal cancers.
Risks
While the chances of internal bowel infections are quite rare with a colostomy, the stoma can get infected sometimes. It is probably due to the lack of cleanliness of the stoma and the skin around it. Keeping that part of the skin and the ostomy pouch healthy can help prevent those infections.
Living with a colostomy
The first few weeks after surgery can be pretty distressing. The state of your bowels may lead you to think that you will never be able to get back to your routine activities. You may get tired quickly, and there might be a constant lack of energy in the body. However, the act of the matter is that all these energy-related problems persist until your bowel recovers. Once your bowels are fully healed, you can get back to a rigorous daily routine. You can also start eating your favorite foods and engage in sports and exercises.
The best way to keep negative thoughts at bay and learn ostomy care best practices is to stay in touch with your ostomy care nurse.
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