The Best Ostomy Tips and Tricks
Life can become difficult after undergoing colostomy surgery. The fact is that the learning curve for people who have gone through ostomy surgery is pretty steep. Not only do they need to learn to deal with the physical aftermath, but they also need to learn an entire new way of life. Whether you had the surgery due to colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease, the challenges can be equally daunting.
Although the ET nurse might have given you plenty of instructions on how to manage your appliance and look after your stoma, there are still other things that you need to know. This is why you need to read this post. It offers the best ostomy tips and tricks. Let’s dive in.
1. Avoid Backsplash
If emptying your bag causes a splash of toilet water, it might be best that you flush it while emptying. To prevent backsplash, you need to empty into the bowl. Another useful technique that you can use is sitting on the toilet backwards. You can lay out some toilet paper over the toilet seat. Thus, you will be able to empty down directly onto the paper rather than into the water.
2. Remove Hair around the Stoma
Next, you need to remove the hair around the stoma. It is common for most people to have some hair on their abdomen. Not only would the hair impede but it would also get pulled when you remove the appliance. Consult with the ET nurse to learn about the best hair removal technique. You may use an electric shaver instead of a blade to limit contact.
3. Change during an Empty Stomach
The best time for you to change is when you first get up in the morning. Output would be slow if you have not eaten for a long time. This would make it easier for you to change. Now, if you need to eat, it is best that you go for a nutrient pack meal to raise the blood sugar.
4. Change after Taking a Shower
A great time to change the appliance is when you take a shower. You can easily remove the appliance while you are standing in the bathtub. Then, you can take a shower without a bag. Once you are done taking a shower, you can reattach the appliance. This would help you expose your skin to fresh air. Thus, your skin would remain healthy.
5. Rinse out the Appliance
Finally, you have to rinse out the appliance using clean water. Clean the appliance whenever it is convenient for you. When you regularly clean the inside of the appliance, it will help ensure that there are no solids clinging to the inside. Squirt some clean water inside the appliance using a dropper, syringe, or squeezable bottle.
Conclusion
Once you have gone over this post, you will know how to adjust to a life following a colostomy surgery. Make sure to follow each tip to stay healthy.