About
The diversion of the small intestine through an opening in the abdomen is known as an ileostomy. This type of ostomy involves bypassing the entire colon and rectum. An ostomy bag is placed over the stoma to collect bodily waste. The function of the colon is to absorb water from the stool when it passes along the colon. With the colon bypassed or removed, the stool evacuated by an ileostomy is more unformed.
When do you need an ileostomy?
There can be a number of reasons why you may need an ileostomy. Some of them are mentioned below.
There can be a number of reasons why you may need an ileostomy. Some of them are mentioned below.
- Bowel cancer: The ileostomy created as a part of the bowel cancer treatment is often temporary. The surgeon will reconnect the small intestine with the colon when the bowel fully heals after cancer treatment.
- You may need an ileostomy as a part of the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- You may need an ileostomy when you need to undergo an advanced surgical treatment of your anus or rectum.
The ileostomy procedure
Before the surgery, the stoma care nurse will talk to you about the location of the stoma. They will also give you a brief overview of how to live with an ostomy.
There are two types of ileostomy.
Before the surgery, the stoma care nurse will talk to you about the location of the stoma. They will also give you a brief overview of how to live with an ostomy.
There are two types of ileostomy.
- The first type of ileostomy is loop ileostomy. The surgeon will create this ileostomy by bringing a loop of small intestine out through an incision in the abdominal wall. The opening of the loop will create a stoma that will allow you to evacuate your bodily waste.
- The second type of ileostomy is known as the end ileostomy. The surgeon creates an end ileostomy by separating the small intestine (ileum) from the colon. The end of the small intestine is then brought out through the abdominal wall to create a stoma.
After surgery
After ileostomy surgery, you may have to stay in the hospital for two weeks. During this time, your nurse will teach you the right way to manage your stoma.
The recovery after surgery may become a bit challenging due to some physical and psychological issues. Physical issues can be bothersome, but they are a part of the recovery phase. Once your GI tract heals fully, you should not face any problem. As far as the psychological issues are concerned, you can talk to your ostomy care nurse or doctor. They will show you the way to overcome these mental hurdles for good.
After ileostomy surgery, you may have to stay in the hospital for two weeks. During this time, your nurse will teach you the right way to manage your stoma.
The recovery after surgery may become a bit challenging due to some physical and psychological issues. Physical issues can be bothersome, but they are a part of the recovery phase. Once your GI tract heals fully, you should not face any problem. As far as the psychological issues are concerned, you can talk to your ostomy care nurse or doctor. They will show you the way to overcome these mental hurdles for good.