Will shortly be having rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder. I have an ileostomy just to the right of my navel. Is not only emptying, but also changing the ileostomy appliance by myself a possibility? And if so, what advice can you give me? Thanks.
retired
Apr 25, 2023 11:02 am
CrappyColon
Apr 25, 2023 2:33 pm
So I couldn't do my hair after... My daughter was 10 at the time and did my hair, and as you can see, it looked fabulous. I'm right-handed; shoulder reconstruction was on the left side. How do you usually empty your bag? I think if you're sitting and have toilet paper or whatever you use to wipe the opening ready and setting next to you... Hmm, now I'm wondering with the Velcro type ones if you're able to open with one hand. Try doing every step with one hand and see how it works. Do you need to cut anything? Will you be in a sling? I was supposed to be in a sling for 6 weeks, but I was going crazy and driving my surgeon crazy, so he let me stop using it at 4 weeks. I had a nerve block before the surgery, which lasted a couple of days, so my arm was a dead weight. I had to do exercises for my hand that was in the sling but didn't use it for much. If I brought something up to those fingers, I could use them to hold something loosely in place. I think some parts of the change might be doable. I would start practicing now with one hand and see what you can manage, but I'd be prepared to have help.
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Posted by: Karen & Stella
Fay,
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
jeanneskindle
Apr 26, 2023 1:29 am
I feel for you, Retired. I avoided rotator cuff surgery at all costs. I was lucky because it was a small tear, and my darling son had a degree in health and human performance. We went to the gym and worked for a year to get that rotator cuff in better shape! It is completely healed now.
I would feel that I needed somebody pretty often to help me with just managing my ostomy.
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imsafanwa
Apr 28, 2023 12:24 am
Pain in the ass, but doable. I'm a month out from shoulder replacement on the non-dominant arm. One-handed bag changes didn't work very well and there were daily leaks and some very angry skin until I figured it out. I second the idea of practicing beforehand and having everything set up to minimize inconvenience. Mine was due to a fall so I wasn't able to pre-plan. You CAN do this, be patient and try not to get too frustrated.
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retired
May 05, 2023 1:28 pm
Thank you for responding. I appreciate all the information. My surgery will be this coming Monday, and I plan on (once again) asking the surgeon many questions about the placement of the sling, if I can momentarily loosen the sling in order to reach the wafer (ostomy site), etc. The hospital does offer home service for my situation (changing the ostomy appliance), so I am waiting for the surgeon to make a referral. Again, thanks for your help.
retired
May 05, 2023 1:31 pm
Thanks for answering. I am practicing wearing the sling now and will do a couple of mock run-throughs of changing the ileostomy appliance one-handed. Should be enlightening, to say the least. Again, thank you.
retired
May 05, 2023 1:35 pm
You are indeed lucky. I don't have that option, nor anyone with that kind of knowledge in my family or circle of friends. So, surgery it is. I have the sling and am wearing it for practice. Will do a couple of mock run-throughs of changing the ostomy appliance with one hand. Will be instructional at the very least. Thank you for responding.
jeanneskindle
Jul 06, 2023 11:12 pm
Hi Retired,
Well, I spoke too soon. I fell at my dad's house and managed to break my right arm and shred a number of ligaments for my rotator cuff. I will be having surgery in about a week or so. How did you do with your rotator cuff surgery? What did you find you need a lot of help with? Were you able to just empty the bag daily on your own or was that even possible? Thanks for anything you can tell me. I'm really upset about this. Jeanne