Just had colostomy surgery and I'm scared I made the wrong choice.

[TheRainman]

Originally Posted by Patton57

The smell can be neutralized with your choice of foods and taking Devrom tablets.

I use the clips as they are but there are many differnt types out there. If you are online I would google colostomy bag (replacement) clips and start there. Even if there's nothing out there someone has had to have thought about it before. If not we'll all just have to put our heads together and come up with a way to manage it. What level are you and how much dexterity do you have in your hands?

You can also use closed end bags. They don't have clips but aren't drainable. You just pop them off and dispose of them after they fill up and then pop a new one on.

The blood should subside in the next few days.

Patton, do you irrigate at all. And is that posible at our level of injury. Thanks.

[GoTWHeeLs]

I've become great at manipulating my fingers and wrists to accomplish whats needed. The one thing I consistently fail at is squeezing or applying pressure. Everythings different tho, just going to take practice.

Addie, no I don't.

[SCI-Nurse]

I think the key for you is to have colostomy supplies that are conducive to your hand function - nothing that will have the need for fine motor movement. Make sure you work with the colostomy nurse for this.

pbr

[GoTWHeeLs]

PBR, will that nurse be at the hospital or thru home health nursing?

[SCI-Nurse]

ask the surgeon if he/she has an ostomy nurse who could provide teaching. It is unfortunate you went home without contact with an ostomy nurse. They are experts on supplies, fit, stoma and routine care issues. Make sure you ask to speak one if not from that location from a home health agency.

pbr

[chick]

You should talk to your nurse care manager about discharge planning and aftercare. You'll likely work with a social worker as well to make sure care needs are arranged, such as with home health agencies and nursing visits, prior to discharge date.

You're barely a few days out of surgery, so there's so much that's going to change as you heal and you actually start to play around with everything. Be patient!



*edit - based on the above post from nurse, I'm not sure if you're still at the hospital or not, but my post is assuming you still are.

[Patton57]

Originally Posted by TheRainman

Patton, do you irrigate at all. And is that posible at our level of injury. Thanks.

No, I don't irrigate at all but it is possible at our level (C7 with some hand function). Once I get something that works I rarely change it. I still use the same cut to fit drainable bags I used in the hospital 18 years ago. OffRoadersWife, here on CCC, knows more about the options than I and she is still a relative newbie. Look her up and drop her a PM.

GoTWHeels, I think you'll own this within several months and be much happier with it. Just keep asking questions and don't let it control you. Take control of it!

[TheRainman]

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

ask the surgeon if he/she has an ostomy nurse who could provide teaching. It is unfortunate you went home without contact with an ostomy nurse. They are experts on supplies, fit, stoma and routine care issues. Make sure you ask to speak one if not from that location from a home health agency.

pbr

pbr
I found a pcp which you suggested in a prior post to me. Now when I go in for my first appointment what are the questions I should ask him about gettting elective colostomy. Thank you.

[rubberaslegs]

One of the most important issue is the length of the stoma. Insist that it sticks out about 3/4". If you get a "shorty" it can cause more "pancacking" which means you have to change the flange more frequently. Mine last about a week and it was the best decision for me to have the surgery done. No more accident or waisting hours on bp.

[offroaderswife]

Originally Posted by Patton57

No, I don't irrigate at all but it is possible at our level (C7 with some hand function). Once I get something that works I rarely change it. I still use the same cut to fit drainable bags I used in the hospital 18 years ago. OffRoadersWife, here on CCC, knows more about the options than I and she is still a relative newbie. Look her up and drop her a PM.

GoTWHeels, I think you'll own this within several months and be much happier with it. Just keep asking questions and don't let it control you. Take control of it!

Hi,
I've had my colostomy for about 1.5 years. I've been irrigating since December 2011. Let me know how I can help. I am happy to email, call or PM about anything you need to know. Hope things are going well.