A Brief Note On Ostomy Complications

Ostomy complications can arise after ostomy surgery, and they can be quite problematic sometimes. You will need to know about those complications if you want to prevent them in the best possible way. In this article, we will talk about the most common complications that can occur after ostomy surgery.

Hernia

A hernia occurs when the weakness or detachment of abdominal muscles allows intestines to push through them, causing a noticeable bulge (sometimes) around the stoma. This issue can result in mild to severe pain in the peristomal skin area. Hernias tend to be persistent, even if you undergo surgery. The most significant disadvantage of having a hernia is that compromises the seal between the skin barrier and the peristomal skin.

The best way is to avoid scenarios that result in the formation of hernia. You will need to discuss with your doctor regarding the activities that you need to avoid. The risk of hernia formation is highest during the first two years after surgery.

Prolapse

The protrusion of the stoma through its opening is known as stoma prolapsing. The length of the protrusion may vary. It can be quite problematic if it remains untreated for a bit longer duration. A prolapse can make ostomy management quite difficult. In some cases, it can cause blood constriction, which can further deteriorate the stoma. The quick fix to a prolapsed stoma is to use a specialized ostomy bag that accommodates the stoma with its increased length. You may want to go for a regular inspection of your stoma to make sure that it is not developing any issues.

Retracted stoma

A retracted stoma is one that lacks the necessary protrusion. It means that a retracted stoma maybe a flush or below the level of the abdominal skin. Sometimes the retraction may be associated with certain body postures. For instance, the stoma may protrude a little when standing but flushes when sitting. According to a survey, retraction is more common among ostomates. It occurs in 10 – 24% of the patients. It is more common among patients who are obese or overweight.

A retracted stoma can cause leakage because it involves the sinking of the point of junction between the skin and the stoma lining. With that part of the skin out of reach, the skin barrier of the ostomy pouch will not be able to form an ideal seal with the peristomal skin area, leading to a heightened risk of leakage.

There are some ways you can prevent issues that can occur as a result of the stoma retraction. For instance, you can use a convex barrier, which pushes the peristomal skin to reach the base of the stoma. You may also use an ostomy belt to apply the necessary pressure on the abdominal skin to make the entire peristomal skin area accessible to the ostomy appliance’s skin barrier.

Blockage

Blockage can turn out to be the most painful condition, occurring mostly with ileostomies. The most common reason for a blockage to occur is the buildup of food wastes in the bowel. The most common symptoms of blockage may include no or liquid output and swelling. You may take a warm bath and drink warm liquids to dissolve formations inside the bowel. In extreme cases, reach out to your doctor immediately.

All about Ostomy Belts

Ostomy belts are little devices you wear around the abdomen, which protects and supports the weight of your ostomy appliance. This is an alternative way to keep the appliance in place during activity which is vigorous.  There are elastic belts that’ll hook into small loops of your flange or pouch. They’re helpful in holding the flange to the body, which preserves the seal and helps prevent the leakage too.

You should begin walking a bit with surgery, since it helps stimulate the bowel function, and it’ll get you back on track to getting the muscle that you lost back from before you went into the hospital. Ostomates who regain this usually can do a lot of things, and ostomy belts are great since they allow you to do all of these. They tape the appliance to edges too. However, if you do sweat a bit, you might need to change it, especially if you notice that the appliance is slipping.

Ostomy belts play a part in supporting pouch systems, especially in the case of hernias.  They’re elastic, and only an ich in width, and they come in many different sizes and lengths, with the longest being 154 inches, and can be adjusted.  At the end is elastic, and there are some hooks which attach to the tabs on the belt of the pouch or barrier, depending on the ostomy system.  This is used to help with minimizing the risk of holding onto elimination in the skin areas where the pouches attach, and of course it helps support the weight of the pouch as there are oily drainages, and also will avoid irritation, hernias, and of course skin mounding around the tissues around the stoma, and of course to protect the stoma from irritation and the trauma that comes from external contact.  These are confused with binders, which are larger. There might be multiple bands which are available for better concealment, and of course the prevention of hernias.

So what’s so great about ostomy belts? Well, they will support, stabilize, and conceal the ostomy pouch.  This also supports the weight of the pouch that’s attached to the skin that surrounds the stoma.  It also reduces noise from the pouch, and it makes it capable of holding the pouch in a more discreet and secured manner close to where the abdomen is.  It also helps reduce the tendency of mounding, reduces herniation of those areas, provides better support of the skin and tissues, helps with adhesion of the pouch to the stoma, helps to reduce the discharge of the contents of the pouch, reduces irritation, and eliminates the pendulum effect that might not otherwise be created in different ways.  This also enhances the flanges convexity, so when you use the belt, you can pull it towards the abdomen, which enhances the effects. This also supports and secures the weight of the stools towards the pouch, making it safer and much comfier for you.

Those who are active and move around from side to side do worry that their ostomy system might have a reduced grip, so this will help with improving that security. It’s hard to find tabs on the one piece systems, since there’s no rigidity in the coupling mechanism that comes from the two piece system.

An ostomy belt helps many people keep their ostomy systems in place, and you can get a lot of different variants which can help you. This is a wonderful option for people who are looking to do more but would like the extra security and comfort they desire when they go out and do things.

Denim is the answer for ostomy

When you find out for any reason that you have to get a stoma, it can be disheartening. It’s scary, and many different emotions overwhelm you all at once.  No its not vain or arrogant to first be worried about your looks. It is only natural to be afraid about carrying around a bag with you all the time that you don’t want new people to know about.  So once you get over the initial shock there are some great things to research and remember.  Denim is your friend and always will be.  Yes, everyone will say get high waisted leggins and a baggy shirt. And that is an easy look that well I use all the time, but don’t forget that Denim works really well too at hiding ostomy supplies and being comfortable.  So next time you are shopping look for a few of these items too.

Get yourself a pair of dungarees. They are fun and very comfortable.  I usually go a size bigger and then can sinch down the waist to get the comfort, look, and feel I am going for. Feeling fresh and being able to have freedom of movement without being worried of your personal ostomy supplies moving or leaking is a big deal.  This is why I love the range of movement in a dungaree.  So next time your at the store, give one a shot.  Now I also like other types of denim too.

Don’t forget to give the bodycon skirt a try.   Don’t be afraid to try new things and show yourself off a bit.  It's a bit high waisted and then you can throw a shorter shirt on just for fun.  A little daring never hurt and with the bodycon skirt you won’t have to worry about your bag being a focal point.  You can use a nice belt to keep everything secure and not crush it.  Tailor Swift has been a godsend for fashion for anyone with a stoma and the high waisted looks keep on coming.

Last but not least, mom jeans… I know that sounds insane, but if you get them a bit big and sinch that waist down, it's a fun look and can totally work if you are in a rush.  Lets face it we all go to Target not exactly looking our best.  But it doesn’t mean you can’t look good doing it. 

Next time your at Target give a pair a shot and grab a nice belt to go with it and see how it work with your body.  Remember you are beautiful and are confident and denim is a great way to accentuate that.

High Waisted Jeans are a must for Ostomy

Anxiety is a real and difficult problem for the average person in the United States.  Take that normal anxiety and see the billion of dollars spent on this issue every year.  It can be a debilitating problem that needs more than counseling and it is even higher felt for individuals who have had an ostomy.  Feeling the worry and fear that comes with something going wrong or someone noticing your ostomy bag is heart wrenching.  Yes, I know that I am a confident person and that I am able and capable of handling any situation that arrives, but I still feel anxiety over it.  So what are some things that can lower that anxiety without pharmaceuticals or counseling? To be honest its dressing correctly is a huge boost to my self esteem and confidence.  It keeps my anxiety low if I know that my clothes look good and wont give me away or cause leaks or issues with my Ostomy supplies. 

So my advice is you get yourself a pair of hIgh Waisted Jeans.  I know this sounds silly, but its not. How you look, and how you feel are very important and I believe even more so when you have a Ostomy Supplies bag that you have to carry around every day.  It’s important to have clothes that work with you.  High Waisted Jeans take the actual needs of keeping the bag safe without getting crushed and possibly causing leaks.

So what are some of my favorite brands that work with me and my body with my stoma? Well any of the top brands at TJ Max works for me.  WHAT? I mean it, it doesn’t matter, just find a nice high waisted jean brand that works for your body.  Our bodies are so different, and we must look confident in the brands we think look the best. Not what works for someone else. 

Remember there are also lots of different kind of fits depending on your waist.  Loose fit, is a big winner in my book, because its not super tight on the waist.  You can always sinch with a belt, but having a little wiggle room is a win.  Book cut is a must if you are heading down south and want to take advantage of the local looks.  Nothing is more fun than trying on alagator skinned boots and looking great in them.