When you wake up after having a colostomy operation, you may be attached to several different devices, including:
- an intravenous drip, to provide your body fluids
- a catheter, which is a tube that is inserted into your bladder to remove urine
- oxygen mask or nasal cannula, to help you breathe
These will be removed as you recover from the surgery.
A colostomy bag will be placed over your stoma (opening in your abdomen). This appliance will be clear so the stoma can be easily monitored and easily drained when the stoma first starts working. This first appliance is not likely to be the one you go home with.
Stoma nurse
A stoma nurse will teach you how to care for your stoma, including emptying and changing the pouch.
They will also teach you how to keep your stoma and surrounding skin clean and free from irritation. If an irritation does occur your stoma nurse will give you advice and provide you with any appropriate treatment.
All bags are waterproof so you can go swimming.
The nurse will also explain the different types of equipment available and how you go about getting new supplies. Read more about colostomy equipment.
When you're sent home from hospital you will be seen by a stoma nurse that works in your area. This may be the stoma nurse you've already seen in hospital.
Going home
Most people are well enough to leave hospital five days after laparoscopic surgery and 7-10 days after open surgery.
It's important to avoid any strenuous activities at home that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will advise you about when it is safe to resume such activities.
In the first few weeks after your operation, you may find that you experience excessive flatulence (gas), and that the discharge from your stoma is unpredictable. However, this should start to improve as your bowel recovers from the effects of the operation.
Colostomy reversal
If you have a temporary colostomy (usually a loop colostomy), further surgery will be needed to reverse it.
You will normally have to wait at least three months after the initial surgery. However, it can be longer if you require further treatment such as chemotherapy or you haven't recovered from the stoma-forming surgery. There's no time limit to have the stoma reversed. Some people may live with their colostomy for several years before it is reversed.
In some cases, reversing a colostomy may not be recommended. For example, if the muscles that control your anus (sphincter muscles) were damaged after surgery, reversing the colostomy may mean that you are unable to control your bowel movements. This could cause bowel incontinence.
If your colostomy can be reversed, it will be carried out when you are in good health and your bowel has fully recovered from the effects of the initial surgery.
Reversing a loop colostomy is a relatively straightforward process. An incision is made around the stoma to allow the surgeon to gain access to the inside of your abdomen. The upper section of your colon (above the stoma) is reattached to the remaining section of your colon that was below the stoma. The incision is then sealed.
It is also possible to reverse an end colostomy. However, more invasive surgery is required because the surgeon will need to gain access to a larger section of your abdomen. Therefore, this type of surgery will require a longer recovery time and has a greater risk of complications.
You will be able to leave hospital once your have recovered from the effects of your stoma reversal. It may take some time before you resume normal bowel function and routine. Some people experience diarrhoea, though this normally resolves with time.
Some people may experience a sore anus initially after the reversal. This will be until the anus becomes used to having stools pass through it. If this occurs you can use common barrier creams, such as sudocream, as protection.
The reversal operation is usually a much smaller procedure then the initial stoma-forming surgery. However it will still take you several weeks to recover and return to all your normal activities.
