50 years old, 7 months post-surgery, I eat healthy, exercise regularly, and still can't stop the weird sagging kangaroo-looking pouch at the bottom of my abdomen.
Any tips on reducing the potato bag?
Thank you. :-)
Dogen's bag
Jun 15, 2023 4:30 pm
CrappyColon
Jun 15, 2023 5:39 pm
Have you asked about physical therapy?
Ok, I was just at PT and I asked the therapist about it. She said the sagging abdomen is because where skin is usually attached to fascia and whatever else keeping it more in place, all that has been cut through with these types of surgeries. So it doesn't 'attach' anymore. My PT worked on breaking up scar tissue too because it's not good for that to start adhering to your insides. You know what I didn't ask though that would've been helpful... over time as healing happens... if the layers of skin eventually reattach to the fascia underneath. Someone else hopefully knows the answer to that, because I just got cleared from PT today. You have another surgery coming up soon, right?
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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
Dogen's bag
Jun 16, 2023 2:10 pm
Wow. Thank you very, very much! This has been incredibly helpful. I really do appreciate your writing and talking with your PT.
Hope you have an amazing day!!!
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