Ileostomy Care

        One of the most important things that any patient should know about the ileostomy procedure is that it can be life saving. The other important thing is that the ileostomy care belongs in a category all by itself in terms of complications that can arise. As one of the more dangerous and complex surgical procedures out there, ileostomy is not performed readily on any patient. Basically, the sufferer must present with one of the following conditions to be eligible for an ileostomy: colon or rectum cancer, Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis. Also, some patients with severe digestive problems could be offered this alternative method of treatment. However, if you do not need a permanent ileostomy, it is best to refrain from choosing this procedure as part of your treatment scheme because the ileostomy reversal is not all that successful and it comes with several complications.

       Now, from the moment the patient decides on this surgery, he or she must be advised about the ileostomy care, both during the pre - operation time and afterwards. To start with, the pre - operation ileostomy care include the following: a full set of medical studies, a blood panel, some stress analysis and even some physical exercise. While the blood panel and the medical studies might make sense, people often wonder why the physicians insist on some physical therapy before the surgery. The answer is pretty simple: get in shape and your body will respond better to medication and to the surgery itself. Also, a slim and fit patient will have less to worry about in the post - operatory ileostomy care.

       Once the surgery is finished and the ileostomy bag is placed over the stoma, the aftercare may begin. For the first few weeks, from two to six weeks, you have to remain in the hospital, for close monitoring. You have to understand that this is a very complicated surgery and the disease that riddled your body before the ileostomy must be gone before you are released. If everything turns out to be all right after a few sets of medical studies, then you can be released. You will not be released into your own care. You have to prove that you have someone to take care of you at least for another month. Usually, the patient is very weak and can barely move on his or her own, so there is no chance of changing the pouch or cooking for themselves.

       When talking about the pouch, the ileostomy care becomes a bit complicated. Everything depends on the type of bag that the surgeon has used. Of course, the specifics of the ileostomy aftercare are explained by your physician or your nurse, but the generalities are the following:

• Check the pouch often in the first few months after the surgery. It takes a while for your digestive system so recover its normal motility and you might not notice when the intestine has left some waste in your pouch.
• Do not change the pouch after having had a meal. Your digestion is still in progress and you might have to change it again very soon. Wait for about four hours after that to attempt to remove the bag.
• The pouch must not be too large for the stoma, since it can lead to leakage and irritation of the surrounding skin. Also, the pouch cannot be too small because it could damage the stoma and the intestine.

       The skin surrounding the stoma must be monitored constantly as it is considered to be an indicator of the health of the device. If it reddens or it changes texture, you must put some moisturizing cream on it. If it does not desist, you must visit a physician, since the problem could be more serious than a simple irritation due to some minor leakage or some spicy foods.