Sgost wrote:He was just straight forward in letting me know the possible challenges we face due to weight
That your surgeon is going to aim for a direct reconnection at the time of your resection, avoiding a temporary ostomy, is likely the best strategy if you are morbidly obese with the majority of your excess weight carried around your mid-section.
Here's the problem with morbid obesity and an ostomy . . . The stoma potentially can become "lost" in deep tissue folds of adipose tissue.
An ileostomy stoma is best when it is 3/4" to 1" in length, providing a spout through which fecal output falls into the ostomy pouch.
When a person has significant excess weight carried around the torso and mid-section, the stoma actually sinks into the deep tissue folds and can barely be found. The stoma comes to lie below the surface of the skin (referred to as a retracted stoma). Trying to pouch a retracted stoma is fraught with difficulties. The wafer of an ostomy pouching system does best with a flat abdominal surface. Deep tissue folds can be a nightmare when trying to pouch a stoma. Distressing leaks and severe skin irritation are frequent obstacles for the morbidly obese.
There are plenty of people who are overweight with an ostomy and do fine with finding an effective pouching system. The difficulties arise with obesity of significant magnitude where the excessive weight is carried around the torso and mid-section (as opposed to excess weight carried on the thighs or buttocks, which does not impact ostomy pouching success).
Best wishes with your surgery and recovery,
- Karen -
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.