Stoma Retraction - Seeking Advice

gingerlee54

Nov 21, 2022 4:25 am

Hi, I would like to know if anyone has had the experience of their stoma retracting back into the abdominal wall. It was flat, if not slightly inverted today. I had just changed my appliance and left for church, drove 10 minutes, and got ready to get out, and I was a mess. I returned home to find out that my stoma was gone; it had retracted within my abdominal wall. So all my output seeped under my protective sheet and Coloplast convex flip barrier flange.

Has anyone heard of this happening? I waited for 40 minutes, and she finally came out again. This has happened 1 time before, but she returned quickly. I will call my surgeon tomorrow, but in hopes someone has some suggestions.

Thank you,

Blessings, Gingerlee

Yeoman-Bowman

Nov 22, 2022 7:35 am

Hi Gingerlee, my ileostomy is a loop ileostomy and therefore has never protruded out much. Now it is virtually 'subterranean' so is very difficult to manage.

I use convex bags which help push the area around the stoma in. I also supplement the convexity by adding a SAR aloo ring to the wafer around the hole. I also use a stoma belt to help pull the wafer on to my tummy.

Hope this is of some use. Nigel.

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Posted by: freedancer

In both of my cases, I had no choice. It was surgery or be put 6 feet under! I thank God that He has been with me all these times. Without Him, I never would have known what to do and might not have gone to the hospital when I did. I don't know if you have had your surgery or not yet but I hope you will hang out on this website when you are done. I have learned a great deal through the people here and it is so great having others who have had the same thing done and been through what you are about to or have gone through. The only thing I have turned down is a reversal of the ileostomy. When the doctors did the emergency rebuilding of my original ileostomy this last February, I told them I did not want to go through this again. My doctor told me at that time that I was no longer a candidate for the reversal. In a way, I was very relieved. The last three years of my life have been a nightmare for me. I do not want to go through any of it again. If you wish to be rehooked up and they say you are a good choice for that, research it carefully. Every surgery I have ever had except for Old and New Maxine and the emergency surgery on my broken foot, I have spent weeks researching. I recently had my C5 C6 disk in my neck replaced with an artificial one. I went to my pre-op with 2 pages of questions for the doctor. I knew everything that they were going to do and could talk intelligently with them. I always try to research my adversaries! Don't cancel your surgery. It is nice not to have to suffer any longer with horrible pain. We all had to change a few things around when we had our surgeries but in the long run, most of us are glad we did it. I know I am. Good luck to you!

TerryLT

Nov 22, 2022 9:07 pm

Hi Ginger, I'm reading this post late, so I hope you got some help with your situation from your surgeon. I have not had this happen but it sure doesn't sound like fun. I'm wondering what kind of information or advice the surgeon gives you, as to why this happened, and what if anything you can do about it. I hope things are better today.

Terry

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gingerlee54

Nov 30, 2022 8:43 am

Hi, I wear the Convex Flip by Brava. Also, I put a protective sheet down first, then I put paste around my barrier - Convex Flip, and then I apply it onto the protective sheet. Then I put the belt on to secure.

If the stoma retracts inside, though, the output goes behind/under all - trickles under the first layer, the protective sheet...

Then works its way out the edge of the protective sheet and flange. This happened again today - I changed the bag at 10 am and again at 7 pm. I noticed this was the same reason because I have a little window and also I can unlock my barrier and pull it off my bag to look at my stomach and it was retracted in again.

Called the surgeon, she said this happens once in a while but not often. I still believe it's because I had lifted that heavy bag last Sunday morning. She seems to think not; she thinks the stoma is still attached correctly.

Thanks for your information and tip. I know this is very discouraging.

Blessings to you, Ginger Lee

gentlejohn

Dec 07, 2022 4:05 am

It is a lot easier to place a barrier when there is a protrusion. I would consult a colorectal surgeon. Suspect your surgeon is a general surgeon. It would be fairly easy to revise your ileostomy.

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Charlyne

May 22, 2023 6:23 pm

I agree with the suggestion to see a colon specialist. Stomas can be adjusted or even moved surgically. I would at least explore my options.