Understanding the Difference Between Ostomy and Ileostomy

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baba
Mar 23, 2009 9:40 pm
what is the difference between an ostomy and an iliostomy--I feel so stupid for asking. I am four months post op. I had my colon removed and I am new on your link.
jaidre
Mar 23, 2009 9:56 pm
hi, i 've had my colon removed. mine is called an ileostomy.....i could be wrong but i think most of the non-bladder surgeries are referred to as "ostomy". but then again, i'm new here and trying to learn the lingo.  : )
Posted by: TerryLT

I was a fly on the wall for a while, before I joined the group.  I think you will find it's a good bunch of people, who understand what you are dealing with like no one else could.  Glad you found us.

Terry

Past Member
Mar 23, 2009 11:03 pm
Very helpful
An ileostomy is a stoma that has been constructed by bringing the end or loop of small intestine (the ileum) out onto the surface of the skin.

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves connecting a part of the colon onto the anterior abdominal wall, leaving the patient with an opening on the abdomen called a stoma. In a colostomy, the stoma is formed from the end of the large intestine, which is drawn out through the incision and sutured to the skin. After a colostomy, feces leave the patient's body through the abdomen. A colostomy may be permanent or temporary
that help any??
Monsieur Le President
Mar 25, 2009 8:18 am
It' difficult to beleive that your surgeon did not fully explain what was happening to you.
Your large bowel ( colon ) is a store which contains the waste from your food, and basically removes the water from this. We store this waste until we are ready to expel it ( go to the toilet). A colostomy is when part of this colon ( which is about 8' long ) is removed, and the colon is brought out on to the stomach wall & forms a Stoma. It all depends on how much bowel is removed as to how the output is controlled. It can be released into the bag almost as solid as a normal stool.
An Ileostomy is when the whole of the large bowel is removed and the end of the small bowel ( Ileum ) becomes the stoma.
The output from this is normally fairly liquid, but can also operate at any time, constantly 24/7 & there is no element of control.
This is my (non medical )understanding. I am an Ileostomist of some 35 years standing ( although often lying down ! )
eddie
Mar 30, 2009 5:39 pm
reg, explained it great!!  I am a nurse who has an ileostomy couldn't have said it better, altho all of us are frequently referred to as "ostomy patients"
eddie
 

My Ostomy Journey: Jearlean | Hollister

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spitchwick
Apr 05, 2010 12:02 pm
Actually Reg you can have an ileostomy without having your large intestine removed as I have. My large intestine is still intact but dropped after I had a change from a loop to a complete ileostomy.
vulcanBMk2
Apr 05, 2010 9:14 pm
Urostomy---Bladder removed & Stoma fabricated from part of small intestine for urine drainage from kidneys into bag.

Stoma--From the Ancient Greek word for Mouth or Opening!!
wookie2005
Jul 31, 2010 6:27 am

Yes, what you have explained is correct. I have been informed so much by my surgeon as to what was going to happen to me, but we didn't know if I was going to have a colostomy or an ileostomy. It wasn't until I had my operation and came out, and he came in the next day and explained what happened. It turned out that I now have an ileostomy, as the cancer was too far gone, so they have removed the entire large bowel. The stoma is working 24/7. Sometimes I know when it's happening, but most of the time I don't even know until it's too heavy. The stool is sometimes watery (depending on what I eat), but most of the time it's thick (as my stoma nurse would say, it's thick like toothpaste). I am going to have the rectum removed, hopefully this year, so therefore mine is permanent. Hope this helps.


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