Tag Archives: postoperative care

Caring For A Colostomy After Surgery

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Colostomy care mainly involves how to empty, change, or clean your ostomy appliance. It will be imperative for you or your caregiver to learn the basics of ostomy care before leaving the hospital.

When to call a doctor

While at home, you may need to contact your doctor if you face the following problems.

  • You have a persistent fever.
  • A foul odor emits from the colostomy bag you are wearing.
  • Your skin around the stoma is irritated and red.
  • You are vomiting and having an overall discomfort.
  • Your stoma is not passing stool regularly.

Emptying the pouch

  • First of all, wash your hands well.
  • See if your ostomy pouch is one-third to half full. That’s the perfect time when you need to empty it.
  • Let the bottom of the open end of the pouch face the toilet bowl, and remove the clamp. It will allow waste materials to flow out of the bag and fall into the toilet. Place some toilet paper in the toilet bowl before emptying the pouch to avoid splashing.
  • After emptying the pouch, clean its end using toilet paper or a moist paper towel.
  • Put the clamp in place to seal the end of the pouch.

Changing the ostomy appliance

Your healthcare provider will tell you how often you need to change your ostomy pouch depending on the type of colostomy you have. We will share general information here regarding changing a colostomy appliance.

  • The amount of time you need to wear an ostomy pouch depends on the type of colostomy pouch you are using. Some ostomy pouches can remain in place for three to seven days, and some can last for weeks. Your healthcare provider will tell you what type is the most appropriate for you.
  • Wash your hands before the procedure and put on disposable gloves.
  • If you are using one-piece ostomy pouches, you will need to change the entire appliance. Remove the ostomy appliance by pushing the skin at the edges of the skin barrier, and, at the same time, pulling the skin barrier using the other hand. After removing the pouch, clean the skin around the stoma. Before wearing the new pouch, make sure that it has an opening that is 1/8-inch larger than your stoma. A too-large opening will let the stomal output get in contact with the skin at the base of the stoma, resulting in skin irritation. You may want to use skin barrier products to protect your peristomal skin and ensure a tighter seal.
  • If you are using two-piece ostomy pouches, you will have to detach the pouch from the faceplate. It will make it easier for you to remove the faceplate or flange. To remove the flange, push the skin around the skin barrier using one hand, and pull the skin barrier using the other hand. Do it gently to prevent any injury to the skin. Clean the skin around the stoma using warm water. You may want to use an adhesive remover if the previous skin barrier has left a residue. Place a new skin barrier with an opening of the size and shape of your stoma. You may have to use skin barrier products to ensure a tighter seal.

While changing the ostomy appliance, look at the stoma and the skin around it. Check for any signs of complications. If there are any, contact your healthcare provider to get timely treatment.

Colostomy Surgery Postoperative Care

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Colostomy creation is a part of the surgical treatment aimed at removing diseased parts of the colon. During surgery, the surgeon will bring a part of the colon to the surface of the belly to create an opening called a stoma. The stoma allows the bowel movements to pass out without proceeding to the rectum and anus.

The postoperative situation can be a bit hard, so you have to take a few measures to ensure a smooth adaptation to this situation. The postoperative recovery lasts about six months. During this phase, the gastrointestinal tract gains strength to be fully fit again. You will have to remain careful and extra vigilant in this duration to avoid any complications that might result in larger problems.

When to seek immediate care

  • You are not urinating well.
  • There is no bowel movement.
  • There is foul-smelling drainage from the surgery site.
  • There is excessive bleeding from the stoma.
  • Your abdomen feels hard.
  • The stoma has turned gray or black.

Postoperative self-care

  • Make sure that you are not lifting anything weighing more than ten pounds for the first four weeks.
  • Walk around in your house to prevent pneumonia and blood clots.
  • Check the stoma and the skin around it for irritation, infections, and other complications.

Stay in touch with an ostomy specialist

You can get information regarding how to care for your colostomy from an ostomy specialist. That individual will help you select an ostomy pouch that is right according to your requirements. An expert will also suggest you the products that you can use during your ostomy care regimen.

Caring for stoma and the skin around it

You should inspect your stoma and the skin around it every time you change your pouch. The stoma should be red and moist. You may notice a small amount of bleeding while cleaning the stoma, but it is not something worrisome. The stoma will be large due to swelling after surgery, but this swelling will subside during the recovery phase. It will settle down to a permanent shape and size after six weeks.

A crucial part of stoma care is to make sure that the skin barrier of the ostomy appliance you use fits around your stoma well. It means that you need to create an opening that is right according to the shape and size of your stoma. You may not need to use a cut-to-fit skin barrier if your stoma does will with precut skin barriers.

You will need to protect your skin around the stoma from irritation and other complications at all costs. The best way is to change the skin barrier every 3-5 days. You may also have to look at other reasons if this part of the skin develops irritation.

Your doctor or ostomy care nurse should be the first point of contact in case you notice any complication or problem. They will suggest to you what you need to do in any particular situation.