Ileostomy Closure and Colostomy Irrigation Advice Needed

I have an ileostomy and colostomy next week. I will get my ileostomy closed and will have a permanent colostomy. My question is: will I be able to use the irrigation method with a colostomy even though I have a small hernia in that area? Can I contact my NHS Stoma Nurse for this information? Any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks.

You will need to have a descending or sigmoid colonoscopy. Irrigation is not recommended if you have a history of IBS or radiation treatment in the pelvic area. There are other requirements, but if you qualify, then it's worth pursuing. If you don't know if you qualify, then contact your stoma nurse.

I was told I am not eligible to irrigate with a hernia because it could make it worse.

Would definitely get with the stoma nurse for more research. We were told today that a loop colostomy can possibly use irrigation according to the stoma nurse who is getting more information. The surgeon also stated it would be fine. Everything we had seen prior said this was not the case. Our hope is to prevent a hernia by being able to wear a support belt fully covering the stoma throughout the day.

They make support belts with holes to pull the bag through that can help prevent hernias. I wear mine 24/7.

The most important thing is core exercises, but be careful. I use the ones from the UOAA site.

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

Definitely, talk with your doctor; however, I've had a parastomal hernia for over a decade and have never stopped irrigating. Been irrigating successfully for 15 years.

I wanted to chime in here as I've had a continent colostomy for 25 years. I was quite young when I had my ostomy done, and the medical professionals trained me from the outset to irrigate it. I didn't ask questions. I didn't know the difference or understand my options. This was before widespread internet use. I've now been irrigating all these years every single morning on a schedule. While it is nice because I never have stool in my bag, there are several considerations that make me wish I wasn't tied to an irrigation schedule, but even my doctor/surgeon now says he doesn't know how to "untrain" a stoma. My whole life revolves around having an hour in the bathroom every morning to go through the process, start to finish. This becomes especially difficult when I travel and the time zones change. It's also difficult schedule-wise to accommodate all the time between work obligations, family obligations, travel, etc. There's a lot of freedom in having a stoma that is active when it needs to be. There are times when I feel like I need to have a BM, but my body simply won't until I irrigate next, and that's very uncomfortable. I know it is not necessary to irrigate every day, but either way, you'll be tied to a schedule because you need to stick to the same time window to "train" your stoma. It may be the right choice for you, but I do wish someone had discussed these things with me prior to implementing such a routine in my life. Take good care and all the best!