Preparing for stoma surgery
We’ve rounded up the facts you need to know about the surgery itself, what to plan before you head to hospital, the essential things you’ll need to pack in your hospital bag, and what to expect when you’re there.
An unfiltered look at stomas
Let’s face it, knowing you have stoma surgery coming up can be scary. It’s also normal to have questions, concerns, and conjured-up scenarios whirling around in your head. But knowing what to expect can help you mentally prepare and feel more in control. So, without further ado…
What is a stoma?
In the simplest sense, a stoma is when a surgeon brings a piece of your bowel outside of your body and onto your belly. They’ll then fold that piece of bowel back and attach it onto your skin to create an opening outside of your body which will be used to remove waste (stool or urine).
You won’t be able to control this flow, so you’ll wear a stoma pouch (also referred to as a bag) to collect the waste.
What does a stoma look and feel like?
A stoma is red, shiny, and warm. In fact, it’s not dissimilar to the look and feel of the inside of your cheek (extra points if you just ran your tongue alongside the inside of your cheek to check it out for yourself just now!)
Why would you need a stoma?
For many reasons.
You might need a faecal or bowel stoma (known as a colostomy or ileostomy) if you’ve been diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis), faecal incontinence, or if you’ve had an accident.
A urinary stoma (also known as a urostomy or ileal conduit) on the other hand might be the way forward if you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer, or if you’re experiencing benign conditions such as chronic inflammation, incontinence, or birth defects.
Need to know: stoma site marking
Your stoma care nurse will play a leading part in your treatment journey. And one of their key roles before surgery will be to site mark your stoma (which basically means deciding where your stoma will be). It’s a bit of a science, and your stoma care nurse has plenty of rules to follow before deciding where the best place for your stoma will be. Here’s what you need to know:
Your stoma should be in a very specific place
Your stoma should sit between your belly button (umbilicus) and hip bone.
Your stoma care nurse will also look at your whole body
They’ll consider when you’re sitting, standing, and bending to make sure your stomas sited in the best area for you, and away from any waistbands, abdominal wounds, creases, wrinkles, or scars.
You’ll want to wear your normal clothes
Dressing in your everyday clothes will help your stoma care nurse to gauge where your stoma needs to be sited to make it most comfortable for you, based on what you choose to wear day-to-day.
Stoma siting can prevent problems later on
Having your stoma properly sited can stop any post-op problems arising and can help you avoid issues (such as leaks and adhesive problems) later on, too.
You’ll get a trial run
Once your stoma care nurse has sited your stoma; you’ll have the chance to test drive a stoma bag before your surgery. This lets you get a feel for where it will sit before you have surgery, so you can make sure you’re 100% happy. Remember – if you need to alter your stomas site, it can be changed before surgery, but not after, so it’s vital that you make sure it’s in the right place before you give it the green light.
What to do before stoma surgery
Once you get a date and time for your stoma surgery, here’s what to plan ahead to make sure you have a stress-free hospital stay.
Tell your employer
You’ll need to let your employer know you’re having surgery so that they’re aware of the time off you’ll need to rest and recover. They should let you know if, and how often, you need to stay in touch during your recovery. It also gives you a chance to let them know how they can support you after your surgery, too.
Depending on the type of work you do, you may need a few adjustments (like access to a different toilet, or room to discreetly store your stoma care products at your desk) when you return to work. Let your employer know in advance of anything you might need so they can put these tweaks into place to help you transition smoothly back into the workplace after surgery.
Organise care for children or dependent adults
If you have children or dependent adults relying on you, arrange alternative care before you head into hospital. That’s one less thing you don’t have to worry about. Besides, you’ll have enough to think about while you’re focused on recovering and getting the hang of looking after your new stoma.
Making a visiting rota
Got a big family? You probably won’t want to have 10 people hanging around your hospital bed while you’re recovering. And, depending on the hospital, there might be a limit on the number of visitors you can have, too. To get around this, try making a rota that you can share with your nearest and dearest. This way you can make sure that there’s always someone with you, but you’re also not bombarded with visitors.
Sort your travel
You won’t be able to drive for a few weeks after stoma surgery, so it’s a good idea to plan how you’re going to get to the hospital, how you’re going to get home, and how you’ll get out and about in the weeks after your surgery.
Get the support you need
It’s important to have the right help and support after stoma surgery. If you don’t have a big family or social circle nearby to call on, speak to your stoma care nurse about how you can get an extra helping hand, if you need it. And if you know there’s nobody close by to bring you fresh supplies while you’re in hospital, make sure you pack extra pyjamas, underwear, and anything else you think you might need, just in case.
What to pack in your hospital bag
You’ve got a date for your stoma surgery. You’ve asked all the questions you want answers to. Now here’s what to pack in your hospital bag:
- Short-sleeve pyjamas or a nightdress – whichever you prefer
- Extra underwear – and consider opting for a bigger size. Your belly’s likely to be a bit swollen after surgery so you won’t want to wear anything too tight or restrictive around your abdomen – comfort will be key
- Earplugs and an eye mask – hospitals are known for being busy and loud, but if you can set yourself up for a better night’s sleep, you’ll be able to rest and recover much better
- Books, music playlists, headphones, or meditation apps – to help you stay relaxed and entertained
- All your usual toiletries – and don’t forget lip balm! Hospitals are known for drying out your skin and can leave you with cracked lips
- A notepad and pen – to jot down any queries or concerns you have so you can bring these up with your stoma care nurse
- A list of any medications you’re taking, plus your medical history
- A list of contact numbers for your family and friends
The stoma care advice you actually want
Forget tiptoeing around ostomy questions – we’ve got unfiltered info on everything from surgery and stoma pouches to diet, lifestyle, sex with a stoma, and everything in between.
