Dealing with a Distended Stoma After Surgery

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2
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4390
Caledonia
Nov 19, 2012 9:51 pm
Hi, I had my stoma re-fashioned due to prolapsing, this was about 3 months ago. It started off where it was much smaller and i felt more confident about my body image i have to say. But over the last 3 months, it's now huge on the left hand side, the spout.

Just noticed tonight it's getting bigger really. I'm v self conscious about it and am scared it may prolapse again.

Is there anything I can do to stop it from being so distended?

Thanks.
kimmytk
Nov 20, 2012 10:23 am
Have you tried an Ostomy hernia belt or a support belt??
spade
Nov 20, 2012 1:45 pm
I also have the same problem you are having...surgery was 10/7/11..than prolapse 12/21/12
so bad had surgery to put back in 2/1/12 they put meshing in this time...was doing Ok...love the new stoma nice an small, but as I started to go about life, and than I did get a bad Cold, coughing for 4 weeks..the poor little thing now sticks out about 3-4 inches and is 1-3/4" dia ...will go back in when I relax.
Same as you...scared to death it is going to fall all the way out Again. I have learn to adjust to it being out so much I am careful that I don't bump it. One good thing is I have very Few leaks as the bowel is in the bag.
The hernia belt seem to make it worse, I ware what ostomy people use to swim..it is like a girdle but not as tight during the day. Not much we can do about it, just so it doesn't fall all the way out...can't keep having surgeries to put back. I don't know it there is any sure way to fix our problem. My muscles are shot from 40 yrs of steriods. Wish I could tell you there is a magic
bullet.
Posted by: GoinWithTheFlow

Hubz had a regular checkup with the oncologist on Friday (his numbers are improving), and as they were asking how he's feeling since surgery, they became curious about how he's doing so well with his ostomy, both physically and mentally. He credited doing research online, trying different things, and especially the support from this group. They were asking because they see so many patients struggling to adjust.

We described this group as folks with every kind of ostomy, some for days while others for decades, but all willing to share what's worked for them with the caveat that every individual is different.

We described the most valuable element as feeling like you're not alone in this. That really piqued their interest, and they wrote down the link. It seems they had a few people in mind that might benefit from the community and thanked us for telling them about it.

You know, we can't remember exactly who we learned about this group from, but we're grateful for it every day! Thank you all! 🌻