What is Ostomy Surgery?

When you have ostomy surgery, an opening called a stoma is created in the abdomen (belly). Your stoma provides an alternate way for waste materials to leave your body. The location of the stoma depends upon the type of surgery you need.

Causes of Ostomy Surgery

There are many common reasons for an ostomy, including:

• Colon, bladder or rectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Inherited conditions and birth anomalies
• Penetrative wounds and other trauma to the abdomen
• Obstruction of the ureter

Types of Ostomy Surgery

• Colostomy (Large Intestine)
• Ileostomy (Small Intestine)
• Urostomy (Urinary Tract)

Colostomy

A colostomy is created out of the end of the large intestine to divert waste from your digestive system. After you have this surgery, you will pass waste through a stoma that is located on your abdomen.

Ileostomy

An ileostomy is created out of the ileum (small intestine)

Because the ileum contains digestive enzymes and acids that may cause skin irritation, extra care is needed with an ileostomy to keep waste materials from coming into contact with the skin on your abdomen.

Urostomy

A urostomy is a type of surgery which enables urine to exit the body through a stoma after removal of a diseased or damaged portion of your urinary tract. With a urostomy, urine flows through your stoma as it is produced, so a pouching system is necessary.

How is a Stoma Created?

• End stoma: the bowel is cut, and the working end is brought through the abdomen to the skin surface
• Loop stoma: a loop of the bowel is brought through the abdomen to the skin surface and temporarily supported by a plastic bridge or rod
• Double-barrel stoma: the ends of the bowel are brought through the abdomen to the skin surface as two separate stomas

Ostomy Pre-Surgery Visit

It's normal to wonder how your life will change in the immediate weeks following surgery and beyond.

Your professional healthcare team is your best resource for answering all your questions and getting you back to the life you love.

What to Expect in the Hospital

Here are common questions you may choose to ask your healthcare professional while you are in the hospital:

• How soon will I be able to eat and drink?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• What do I do if I am in pain?
• Does everyone with a stoma need to use a pouch?
• Who will show me how to use my equipment?
• Where do I get supplies?

Ostomy Post-Surgery Visit

Leaving the hospital can cause anxiety for anyone with a new stoma.

You may find that you have many questions in the days and weeks following your surgery. During this time, you may also find that you are feeling depressed, down or angry. You may experience some frustration until you get comfortable with your pouching system.

Reach out to your ostomy nurse for help and encouragement.