Ileostomy in overweight patients?

[Aqx99]

I've been wondering about this since my first consult with my colorectal surgeon. All of the literature I have read talks about picking the flattest surface of the abdomen for the ostomy. Well, I am not a small girl by any means, which means that there really isn't a flat surface on my abdomen. I'm just wondering if anybody here has had this experience and can tell me about it. I go in to see the ostomy nurse on June 1st to prep for my surgery on June 14th.

The part that kills me about this is, I was in the process of losing weight when I got my diagnosis. I had started exercising and eating better, to the point that I had dropped 50 pounds. That was part of the reason I didn't get my symptoms checked initially. I thought the diarrhea was from the exercise plus the diet change, and I figured the blood was because I had given myself a hemorrhoid with all of those trips to the bathroom. Luckily my GP caught it and sent me to a gastroenterologist.

[Lee]

Sorry no one has responded yet. Have you seen an WOUND OSTOMY nurse yet. I'm sure they will be able to answer all your questions.

While I struggle with my weight, I am not overweight (card carrying member of Weight Watchers), so I can't directly answer that question. Butt know you are not the only person who is overweight with an ileostomy/colostomy. There are many products out there that address all types of issues.

There is a website that can probably help you, give me a minute.

Lee

[Lee]

Struggling with my computer today

Here is the site,

www.ostomy.org

Hope it helps, all the best,

Lee

[JJ2212]

The best tip I have echoes what Lee said. A good Wound/Ostomy care nurse is your best chance of getting the right placement for your ostomy. I would not let the surgeon do it. My WOC nurse spent 30 minutes examining me while sitting, standing, with and without pants on, to determine the best spot for the ostomy. My belly is also far from flat, but she chose the perfect placement for me. Ostomies on bigger bellies can have their own set of challenges, but nothing that can't be handled with the right products. Again, the WOC nurse is there to educate you and help you before and after surgery.

Good luck,

Janie

[Aqx99]

I have an hour-long appointment scheduled at the wound center with an ostomy nurse about 2 weeks before my surgery. I was just looking for some personal insight in the meantime.

[JesaWicked]

Usually the ostomy nurse would check for the perfect placement for the ostomy before surgery. I'm 5'2" and 160lbs and my belly is flabby so I had those concerns too. My ostomy nurse found a perfect spot for me. Unfortunately after surgery I gained a dip to the right of my stoma so I'm still struggling with trying to deal with that since it's caused me so much leaks. My wound is still fairly new (a little over 3 weeks) so hopefully my dip situation gets resolved.

Best of luck!
Jesa

[Lee]

I have an hour-long appointment scheduled at the wound center with an ostomy nurse about 2 weeks before my surgery. I was just looking for some personal insight in the meantime.

So glad to read you are seeing an Ostomy Nurse. Please check out that web site I mentioned above. Wonderful people and more than a few have/had walked in your current shoes.

This too is just one more day in our journey. Always the best,

Lee

[Aqx99]

A friend of mine from high school contacted me not long after I disclosed my diagnosis. Her mother has a permanent ileostomy after having her colon removed due to ulcerative colitis. She is very active with UOAA, and has offered to speak with me. I am also looking into the ostomy support group that meets at the medical center in a nearby city.

I'm just nervous about the whole process, that's all. My parents were here to visit a couple of weeks ago. My normally squeamish dad asked me to describe what exactly an ileostomy was. He turned a little green when I told him they actually roll over the intestine so the inside was the surface you see.

[Lee]

I'm just nervous about the whole process, that's all. My parents were here to visit a couple of weeks ago. My normally squeamish dad asked me to describe what exactly an ileostomy was. He turned a little green when I told him they actually roll over the intestine so the inside was the surface you see.

So Glad you have a friend that has been down this road. Always a good thing & a good friend to have. Please I get where your Dad and you are coming from, BUTT I decided a long time ago to leave my embarrassment at the front door of my local hospital. I understand your Dad, a different generation when we did not "talk" about thing like this, BUTT I decided I would educate people on this subject & colon cancer. And believe me, doctors have picked my brain along with so many people, I've lost count. You know your doing something right when your high school daughter tries to corner you about this subject and I shoot back, look i will talk to ANY or your friends &/or their parents at ANY time. And daughter says, Mom please "no".

I was 2 weeks out from my surgery, daughter had a friend sleeping over (daughter was only 11 yrs old at this time) when I let off the biggest fart on the planet. One of those long drawn out farts. Slow and steady Daughter wanted to crawl into a hole, her friend had this look that said what was that. I reminded her friend I had surgery recently, and to be honest, my surgeon wanted me to fart (A LOT) and would have been very happy with that fart. I also told her it might happen again. She said that OK, she remember her dad having surgery, and needing to fart, no big deal. Presentation is everything. Daughter wad saved from further embarrassement.

Remember, one day at a time. An this too shall pass,

Lee

[Aqx99]

With as many people as have seen my butt at this point, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I freely tell people who ask about my cancer what type it is. I've even been known to discuss my bowel habits with some of them. I told my husband when I was diagnosed that I would be open and honest about it all.