While it can be hard to adjust for your ileostomy at first, it can actually allow you to have a life that’s full and active.A lot will say that their life quality improves after they’ve had the surgery due to the fact that they’re not dealing with the discomfort as much. But if you find it hard to deal with, there are support groups that help with this, but here is some information on what you should do after an ileostomy. 

Equipment 

Before you go into an ileostomy surgery, your nurse will help, and they’ll go over how in the world you function with a stoma. First, you’ll have stoma bags, which is where the waste goes, and usually this either has a watery consistency, or similar to porridge for an ileostomy. 

There’s a range of bags, but the nurse can help. The bags are made from hypoallergenic ingredients and offer filters that ensure that bad smells don’t leave the bag. They also are drained through a bottom opening, so you don’t have to worry about it bulging, and it can be put under the clothes. Usually, you need to replace and get rid of the bags every 1-2 days on average. It does take a little bit of time to get used to, but this bag can definitely help in a lot of ways. 

Other Products 

You do have other products minus just the bag, and they include belts to support, deodorizers to help freshen up the bag itself, skin wipes for the peristomal skin, adhesive remover sprays to get rid of adhesive. Adhesive to help get the bag to stick on, and stoma guards to prevent leakages Not all of these are used for every single person with an ileostomy, and you should discuss this with your doctor before making a decision. 

How to Order Equipment 

You can get products based on insurance, or even some prescriptions which are free. Typically, you get some bags when you leave the hospital but there may be a prescription that they give you. You should always inform the GP of any important information for them to take note and use in the records. 

You can ten take that prescription and then send it in, and you should get supplies to be delivered automatically. You don’t need to get a ton of supplies, but instead order then when you need it, and make sure to do it before you run out of supplies. 

Care for your Stoma 

The stoma output does cause irritation, so you should always make sure to keep your skin clean with a mild soap and some water. It is common for blood to show up when you clean your stoma, and that of course is normal due to the blood vessels that are there, since they do bleed easily, but it isn’t really long bleeding, so it will stop. 

If the skin is itching or there is a burning sensation, you will have to change the appliance and bag, and you can contact you ET if you notice that it isn’t going away. If you notice that there is inflammation of the skin, you definitely will want to tell the doctor or the nurse to help get you a powder, spray, or cream to help treat the problem. 

As for a diet, you should try to make sure to follow a diet that isn’t too fibrous, since that does make the stools thicker and it can cause an obstruction. It does depend on what you can and can’t eat, so experiment, and take care and be mindful of this.