My doctor is discouraging a reversal. I am 1 yr post op. and thank God have had a pretty easy time with my colostomy. I guess my question is 10 or 20 years down the road. What complications are common for a colostomy? Are fissures common? or does the ostomy shrink so small it has to be relocated? How common are hernias? Any thing I haven't thought of? At some point will we all end up in diapers for leakage? After we are much older and our skin tends to thin will we have trouble with sores around the stoma? How many times can it be relocated? My doctor thinks my surgery to reverse may leave me in diapers permenently, so I would like to know what to expect for a long term colostomy, Someone please try to answer all my questions, I am worried about each of them. All your loving help is always apreciated. Faith 4 today (but worrying about tomarrow)
Faith4Today
Jul 12, 2010 11:22 pm
lottagelady
Jul 13, 2010 9:03 am
Oh my goodness .... what good questions ....... don't know the answers other than hernias are very common .... if they get into a bad state like mine, they may have to relocate the stoma to try and effect a good repair, but it can only take one sneeze unfortunately for it to blow again if you aren't careful, then you could end up with one either side I suppose .... goung to see someone tomorrow about mine - will blog what I find out.
Hope someone else can answer some of the other questions ....? Would be very interested myself.
Take care as always,
Rach xx
Hope someone else can answer some of the other questions ....? Would be very interested myself.
Take care as always,
Rach xx
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Posted by: w30bob
Hi gang,
I was thinking what a great resource this site has been for me since I found it. It would have been really helpful, but maybe a bit scary, to have found it before my ostomy, but that's water under the bridge. But I got thinking about it, and now I'm questioning why doctors and hospitals don't provide this site's contact info to any patient even considering an ostomy today. And how can we change that so potential ostomates can learn about the road ahead for them by getting on here and asking questions before the docs go chop-chop. How exactly do you get all hospitals to provide their patients specific information, like this website?
I just happened to find this site something like 4 years after my ostomy when I Googled "ostomy forum" or something like that. But I never found it during previous searches.....so I found this site pretty much by pure luck. We need to find a way to make this site available to new or soon-to-be ostomates......as that's when we really need to commiserate with fellow ostomates. Anybody have any thoughts on how we do this?
Thanks,
Bob
Past Member
Jul 13, 2010 1:50 pm
Good questions. My colostomy is coming up to 6 years now and doctors always told me longer I wait for a reversal the better.
Hernias can be prevented by doing some simple abdominal exercises and I would encourage anyone to do them. Sores around the stoma come and go and you, yourself will find out by experience how to prevent them.
Hope this was a help!
Tim x
Hernias can be prevented by doing some simple abdominal exercises and I would encourage anyone to do them. Sores around the stoma come and go and you, yourself will find out by experience how to prevent them.
Hope this was a help!
Tim x
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three
Jul 13, 2010 4:42 pm
Hi Faith4Today,
Here's a site for ostomates that discusses exercises and hernias:
http://www.stomadata.com/html/hernias_and_exercise.htm
Here's a site for ostomates that discusses exercises and hernias:
http://www.stomadata.com/html/hernias_and_exercise.htm
Faith4Today
Jul 13, 2010 10:38 pm
what the future holds... what are common problems with older ostomies. If the common problems with reconstruction are 1. every time they go in they risk nicking nearby organs...2.continuous growing scar tissue..3.how many time can a ostomy be relocated...4. how far the colon can reach without undoing previous staples...5.going in for reconstuction and waking up with; no colon left and a new ostomy(surgeon changes mind), 6. not enough rectum and needing a pouch..7...and the ever popular oops you've sprung some new leaks...Have I left anything out.? Oh , the risks of anesthia again.
But maybe....you will be just like you were before your rupture. which I know is not a terrible condition; and I truly admire you who have suffered through the pain of chron's or CA and chemo. I am only trying to make an educated discision because there is hope of success. I know many of you don't have the option of a reversal but have a wealth of information us newbies really need. Thank you for your helpful support.
But maybe....you will be just like you were before your rupture. which I know is not a terrible condition; and I truly admire you who have suffered through the pain of chron's or CA and chemo. I am only trying to make an educated discision because there is hope of success. I know many of you don't have the option of a reversal but have a wealth of information us newbies really need. Thank you for your helpful support.
How to Adjust to Life with an Ostomy with Bruce | Hollister
C Cogan
Jul 17, 2010 11:49 am
Hello: I appreciate your questions as I am also just about one year post colostomy. I could have a reversal but due to my age my surgeon said the surgery was risky even though I do not have any major health problems. On the other hand my gastro doctor is encouraging me to have the reversal. It has taken me nearly a year to recover from the first surgery, slow healing, and C-Diff and back problems, so I am waiting but am leaning toward remaining status quo. CSC
florida-val
Sep 08, 2010 5:25 am
I have had my ostomy since 1983 and I do have a hernia. Unfortunately, I was released by a doctor to go back to work in a job where I had to lift up to 75 lb suitcases.
I did develop a hernia in 1995 and managed to work with it until 1999. At that time a doctor did go in and put mesh over my hernia but would not "fix" it as he didn't want to tempt my chronns to return.
I have done well so far with this although I do forget sometimes to be careful.
I was told if this did not work they would have to reconstruct the intestine.
There are hernia belts out there to help - I just wasn't aware of them or I would have used them to help when lifting the heavy weights
I did develop a hernia in 1995 and managed to work with it until 1999. At that time a doctor did go in and put mesh over my hernia but would not "fix" it as he didn't want to tempt my chronns to return.
I have done well so far with this although I do forget sometimes to be careful.
I was told if this did not work they would have to reconstruct the intestine.
There are hernia belts out there to help - I just wasn't aware of them or I would have used them to help when lifting the heavy weights