This topic is about the importance of regular follow-up care for individuals who have been living with an ileostomy or urostomy for a long time. The person who started the discussion has had both types of ostomies since 2005 and is curious about whether regular check-ups, like annual or every five-year colonoscopies, are necessary to ensure their health remains in good condition. They have had some imaging tests for partial bowel obstructions and are under the care of several specialists, but they were discharged from their surgical team without a clear long-term care plan. They are considering whether they need a dedicated gastroenterologist.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Ongoing follow-up care is recommended. Surgeons typically provide short-term care, so it's important for patients to arrange for continuing oversight with the right specialists, such as a gastroenterologist or urologist.

2. If you still have a rectum and/or anus, it's advised to have periodic colonoscopies to screen for any precancerous changes.

3. For those interested in ostomy products, Cymed ostomy products can be sampled directly from the manufacturer, which might be useful for supply options, although this is not directly related to medical follow-up.