Stoma

Does the stoma go smaller? I had it a year now and noticed bruising around it.

I had my stoma - emergency surgery - in August 2010. Stoma has slowly been shrinking for the five months since then. I wear a convex barrier, and it leaves a dark red area around the stoma. I don't know if this helps or not; it is just limited experience. I am sure it will reach a stationary size but hasn't yet. It took a long time for the belly swelling/trauma to normalize.

I to use convect to around the stoma. I haven't been feeling too well and on meds, so that could be the reason for the redness and bruising.

The stoma will shrink to a smaller size, and yes, the part under the flange will be a darker color. Even if the skin under the flange is not irritated, it tends to be darker and reddish.

Thanks for sharing this info. I was wondering about it this evening as I changed.

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister

Off to hospital cramps are unable meds not helping

Hi, yes, it will change and settle down after a while, then it tends to stay at the same size once it has, in my experience ...

Rach xxx

Well, I sure wish my stoma would settle down. I had my emergency ileostomy in August 2010, and it was a slow-going procedure. My stoma finally settled down to about 1 inch, and the new flanges that were ordered for me were that size.
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Well... I guess I should now feel good about the stoma finally getting to the right size... well, I thought it had, but it seems now that the damn thing is growing.
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It is up to 1-1/2 inches, and it has really been sore. The side of my belly where the stoma is... is all swollen and red, and of course, the nurse tells me I might have a hernia. OH f'n great!! I was in the e.r. again... and they did blood work, x-rays, and the like, and then the nurse came in and gave me a great shot of fentanyl. Of course, they wouldn't let me drive home after that, but who cares... I sure was feeling good afterwards.
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I have to go to the hospital on Wednesday to have yet another test done on this poor old sick body. The doc thinks he can fix my problem by reconnecting the colon that was left and doing a workaround to make a whole new colon. OH MY GOD!!! I hope he puts me OUT!!! LOL

Oh, and another thing, I could almost fill my car with the amount of gas that I've been putting out...
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Barbie, and yes... I'm still very much mystified!!

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   Oh Kiwi, wonder how you are in my crazy ileostomy. 3x with the reversals, but my stoma nurse, who is like a hospital mate (friend), said to me that the stoma shrinks in the first 3-4 months, and all mine did. In other words, it will pretty much stay the size, but I don't understand using TIA. A lot of people with ostomies seem to get hernias. I have one on each side of my abdomen, and they hurt sometimes. The one that closed up feels like I am getting a stitch from walking and feels like my insides are being twisted tight. Good luck, everyone! Sorry if my spelling is wrong, and I am sick, so I am doing this with one eye open. JUST ................
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xxx Mare    Mooza

Maybe the hole in your flange is too big and the bruising is really facial burning. I have had some of this in my early days of being an ostomate. My STN put me right. Usually, parastomal hernia is very obvious; mine certainly is. It is the size of a lady's breast now, and because my stoma is on the belt line, it makes wearing clothes quite difficult at times.

Best wishes
Doug

Hi Doug,

Nope, my stoma was large and shrunk down to 1 in. I had few problems. Now, the stoma is back up to about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 in., and I was told by the nurse in the E.R. that it looks like I might have a hernia.  
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I'm getting my test done tomorrow to see just what is going on.

Barbie

Hi there. It's nice to know there is another Kiwi out there.
Yes, my stoma has definitely got smaller since my colostomy operation, which was 15 months ago. It only now seems to have reached its "goal" size. The stoma nurses told me it would gradually get smaller. My skin is not too bad most of the time. Sometimes it looks a bit blotchy, so Savlon antiseptic cream is used, which is great.
Also, when I know I am not going to go to the toilet, I take my pouch off and have a shower, which is lovely. A doctor told me (when I was in the hospital) this is very good for your skin and you. Also, a bath is great.
I had a lot of fecal burning when I first had the operation, which was a nightmare. But I have found that wearing a seal under my pouch works wonders. I use Hollister or Eakin. My pouch is an Eakin Pelican, which has a split cover and is great. It has never come off accidentally.
Hope this helps. Any advice from you or anyone would be gratefully received.
All the best.