Getting a bag.

As it is..........
I have inner spincter muscle, rectum gone with ostomy at my sigmoid. I suspect it will be the same for you...That most likely will assure clear margins and thats what you want.
Recovery time...hard to say , depends on what you call recovery time...I was down for about 2 weeks before I tried to drive....bad mistake...Its gonna take about 6 weeks til full recovery if they sew up the backside as they did me. It will feel like a pair of socks have been sewn shut up there but nothing you can't handle. You will feel severe discomfort as you sit and it will be a long time before you can sit for any length of time. I still can only sit for an hour or two without getting up and stretching or walking or I hobble around like an old man for 5-10 minutes. Its been 2 years for me. The bag does free you up, but it will take some mental thought process to get use to it. another thought, as you delve into that region for surgery the percentage of ED becomes about 50% one way or the other. All of the nerve endings are there that create stimulation, erection, and ejaculation. That is another item that you will learn to deal with. Viagra, Cialis, or sometimes nothing does the trick but be aware that it is a very strong possibility that it may occur. Position for me is where I wear my slacks the ostomy is about 3" above the waistband. This enables you to wear jeans and also allows you to wear shirts with tails long enough to cover the bag. I have also taken the bottom of the bag and folded it over upwards to allow me to tuck my pants in. This works well also.
Chances of......
Infection at the site is about 5%...
Stitches coming loose at rectum (because of radiation damage) 10%
Loss of sexual libido and ability...50%
Ability to keep you alive.................................................Priceless



Good Luck to you and let me know out here or in private if you need any other info....Buzz

Lovekitties said:

Hi Kenny
Sorry to hear you need the surgery, but after having colostomy since March, have found that it is not hard to live with.

Make sure you get to see an Ostomy Nurse before surgery so she can mark the best location. Mine is below the belt line on the left and has not been a problem for clothes...course being female my clothing a bit different than yours...lol. Seriously, I wear jeans and slacks with shirt tail out with no problem.

The Ostomy Nurse should be able to get you started about various types of supplies, etc. but don't hesitate to ask here if you have questions about any of it.

Originally was to be in hospital about 7 days (I had total hyterectomy at the same time). Stay got extended because of a twisted bowel, but another visit to op room got that all fixed. Total stay was 16 days, but like I say...extenuating circumstances.

After care as long as you are eating and drinking well and had no complications should go smoothly. 6 weeks for sure for driving. I gave up all pain meds after 1st week home. Hardest thing was sleeping because of my incision. Found sleeping in recliner was easiest for about 4 weeks.

Let us know what questions you have as they come up. When do you expect to have your surgery? Keep us posted.

Best wishes,

Marie who loves kitties

Kenny, ask your surgeon if its all right for you to chew gum
after operation as that might help in recovery,before they allow you solid food, based on what I had read after my own colostomy. Be prepared to have various drainage tubes (Jackson cups?from each inner thigh, for exampole)sticking out of you when you wake up. I spent 8 days instead of 5 in hospital cos of minor complication. They'll want you to get out of bed and walk abit and you'll think they're crazy but you need to do that to heal faster to get released to go home.Tomorrow is a year I've been living with a bag and LIVING is the key word-here----steve

karguy said:

colosomy
when I had my surgery the ostomy nurse marked it as far down as possible.Mine is below my waist so I can wear my shirt tucked in.Recovery time should be about 6 weeks,but my stitches on my rear tore loose,so it was about 4 1/2 months to complete recovery. it was about that long before I could drive because of the wound vac,and the tumor was attached to my tailbone,and other things,so I have no padding back there anymore,but I can drive for 2-3 hours before I have to stop and stretch.You will get used to it,and sometimes it's convenient.You will have no control over gas,farts,gas pills will help.you can learn to live with it,the main word is LIVING.Good luck.

INfo
Thanks to all for the info. I think you have a great attitude about colosomy. Trying to get use to the idea Myself in case not the best results from TAE. Laura

John23 said:

disposable bag vs re useable


I use a two-piece appliance. With a two-piece unit, you can leave
the wafer stuck to your side and replace the pouch when needed.

The wafer of the two piece is easier to put into place, since you
can see clearly exactly where the stoma is fitting through the hole.

Since I have an ileostomy, a re useable pouch makes more sense.
I have to empty every 15-20 minutes, at times.

With a colostomy, the reviews vary. The wimmin don't like to
touch or smell anything, so taking off a pouch and dropping it
into the waste is nicer. But they have these enormous pocketbooks
that they can carry extra pouches and supplies in...

Keep in mind, that if you wear a one-piece system, you'll have to
go through the deal of re-gluing the thing to your side every time
you change.

With a two-piece system, at least you can just change the pouch.

With a two-piece reusable, you're able to simply empty the thing,
close it and move on; better for the busy guy, in my opinion....

You -always- empty when it's no more than 1/3 full !!!

Sizes? I use a large diameter wafer with a medium size pouch.
That combination allows for less weight dragging down on
the wafer, and allows the wafer to stay on longer.

For what it's worth..... I use the Coloplast Assura series, with their
"extended wear" wafer, and a Hollister Adapt ring between
wafer and skin. I leave the wafer on for two to three weeks
average, and change the pouch as needed.

What was once a terrible nightmare for me, is now just another
pain in the stoma.

The UOAA archives are loaded with information, and a search
there for any question one has, is usually found promptly.

Good luck and happy pouching!

John

Awwwwww John
" The wimmin don't like to
touch or smell anything, so taking off a pouch and dropping it
into the waste is nicer. But they have these enormous pocketbooks
that they can carry extra pouches and supplies in... "

Come on now...lol...who do you think has been diapering babies since time began? Until recent years women were the great majority. Changing a colostomy bag and wafer is easy stuff as compared to some diaper changes!

Back to the important stuff...The question of drainable or one-use is often times best answered by your bowel habits before. If you determine the one-use is for you, you might want to keep some of the drainable on hand in case of a bout of diahrea. I prefer the drainable so that I can be "empty" before going out or going to bed. Just my personal choice.

I agree with John about the two piece. Saves wear and tear on the skin to be able to leave the wafer on for extended periods.

Good luck and remember you can keep trying products until you find what is right for you.

Marie who loves kitties

462lt said:

INfo
Thanks to all for the info. I think you have a great attitude about colosomy. Trying to get use to the idea Myself in case not the best results from TAE. Laura

hey just wanting to ask a question for 462it
hi im tammy im a 9yr.colonrectal survivor with colostomy bag, whats your story do you have a bag? i began my cancer at age 30, now 41yrs.old

taraHK said:

Good luck!
Good luck. I got a permanent colostomy over 7 years ago. Some initial adjustment (psychological and practical issues) but these days it is a part of my life/routine and I hardly think about it.

Meeting with the stoma nurse presurgical is critical -- he/she will help determine the best placement for the stoma. The nurse will also help you after the surgery. They sometimes have various samples of products. It is a good idea to try different products, until you find what works best for you.

I use a one-piece, opaque, drainable pouch (Coloplast). Replacing the pouch takes about 5 seconds for me -- I don't use any additional products or devices. Peel off, wipe, stick on, done.

I also do irrigation (most of the time). I don't know if this is an option for you. You might want to discuss with your stoma nurse. Involves about 1 hr a day but then no output between times. I was told I might not be able to do it because I had radiation presurgery. But, no problem.

I think I was in the hospital about a week after my surgery. Full recovery takes a while -- as with any surgery -- and this IS major surgery. If possible, walk every day after surgery (even if a few gentle steps at first!). I think it really helps with recovery. I think I was in pretty good shape a month after surgery but probably not 100% for 3 mos.

I've been able to do all the active things I like doing -- swimming, hiking.

Good luck!

Tara

I'm with you
Tara .... keep it simple. One piece peel and stick.

tammy31269 said:

hey just wanting to ask a question for 462it
hi im tammy im a 9yr.colonrectal survivor with colostomy bag, whats your story do you have a bag? i began my cancer at age 30, now 41yrs.old

Hi Tammy
HI Tammy, Sorry I missed this question, no I don't have a bag, going for a trans anal excsion tomorrow. I am worried about results T2 tumor 1cm from anal verge tumor shrank from rad/chemo but didn't get complete response. I'm worried about margins. I just for some reason not able to wrap my head around the bag idea. I never realized I was such a baby! I guess I'll know more about my future tomorrow. So impressed 9 years you go girl. Laura

Hi Kenny,
My Mom was
Hi Kenny,
My Mom was diagnosed in March with the cancer. She then went through 6 weeks of constant chemo and radiation. On July 7th she had her surgery to close her rectal area and have a permanent colostomy. My Mom is 79 years old. She was 78 for her surgery. She had never been sick a day in her life before this. So this has all been really scary for us. We are still trying to find the right kind of bag to use. Everyone on this site has been so helpful to us with that.
Mom spent about a week in the hospital after the surgery. She has been living with me and my husband since. She thinks she is getting ready to move back to her house soon though. She is able to change her bag every day by herself, which is a really big thing for her. But she is handling it just fine. I help her change the wafer every 5 days or so, as her hands have gotten really shakey.
I hope your surgery goes well. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Linda and Mom Ellie

Kenny H. said:

Got home yesterday. The bag
Got home yesterday. The bag they installed is a one piece unit with no vent. Since Im on a mainly liquid diet Its all diarreah and some gas coming out. Most of the time this bag looks like a balloon. Do the the "breathable" bags vent well? Also what about the smell, do they really block it?

Slowly getting the hang of it cleaning it myself ect. Like the clip lock over velcro.

Good luck.
Kenny: You will get the hang of it in no time. It took me about 4 weeks to really feel like doing much after surgery. Just remember how much money we are all saving on toliet paper...lol. Keep you spirits up. It is not as bad as you think after awhile. good luck. Mike