FAQ Basics: About An Ostomy
No, it shouldn’t.
During the recovery period (around 6 weeks), abdominal and incisional discomfort are common, these should resolve as you heal.
The ostomy feels changes when it’s stretched, but otherwise doesn’t have a lot of sensation. If you are experiencing pain, contact your ostomy nurse or primary care provider for further assessment.
Skin around the ostomy can burn or feel tender if it is irritated or inflamed. This warrants rapid attention also.
No, it shouldn’t.
Neither the ostomy nor your appliances should smell.
- Malodor of your ostomy/skin could be a sign of infection.
- Odor from an appliance indicates a leak or poor seal of the pouch.
- Odor when emptying your pouch is normal, consistent with the smell of effluent as per usual when toileting. If you find the odor bothersome when emptying your pouch, request deodorizing additives or information about food/beverage choices.
No, it shouldn’t.
Infection is uncommon with routine care. The skin around the stoma is at more risk of infection if it has regular contact with your effluent. With a few easy steps, you can protect both the stoma and your peristomal skin from infection.
- Clean the skin around your ostomy with warm (non-soapy) water with every appliance change; usually every 3-4 days.
- Change your pouch more frequently if you have experienced leakage of effluent under the barrier. The effluent is moist and irritating to your skin and can cause problems quickly. If you experience leakage often, contact your ostomy nurse or primary care provider promptly to revise your pouching system (because one size does not fit all).
- Inspect your stoma and peristomal skin with each appliance change; report signs of irritation/open skin to your ostomy nurse or primary care provider promptly to heal the skin.
No, ostomy appliances and pouching systems are not one-size-fits-all.
Our bodies and needs vary and so do the supplies we use. Several manufacturers make many lines of products that can be chosen to meet your individual needs. Things to consider in your selection include: appearance, dexterity, visual acuity, body size and contour, activity level and more.
- Selection of the optimal appliance starts with assessment of your body to achieve a “best fit”.
- Further customization can be achieved by answering questions about your activities, clothing choices, and personal preferences.
- As your body, interests and needs evolve, you are welcome to work with your ostomy nurse to find a new “best fit”
You can keep your ostomy private if you choose.
There is nothing to be ashamed of, but some people are more modest than others. If you choose to keep your ostomy discreet, consider these tips:
- Empty your pouch when it becomes 1/3 full (diminishes profile)
- Wear lightly compressive clothing to distribute effluent through the length of the pouch and secure it against your body (diminishes pouch profile, eliminates pouch flapping, muffles sound). There are ostomy-specific options but many routine clothing choices also work well. Ask your ostomy nurse for more suggestions.
- Wear clothing over the pouch that is slightly loose, darker in color, or has an irregular pattern (tight, light colored, geometrical prints may stretch/distort when pouch is more full, revealing underlying pouch and body contours). Clothing that is revealing of any body contour may reveal your appliance in that area, too.
Kind of…
While you will still create gas, it will exit your digestive tract into your pouch and not be expelled rectally. Different appliances change how that happens.
- A vented pouch uses a charcoal filter to expel air as needed. The charcoal eliminates odor, so you can be worry free and maintain a flatter profile.
- A non-vented pouch captures the air, so your pouch will become full more quickly, especially after enjoying gas-producing foods. Emptying or “burping” your pouch every few hours is best practice.
You will have scars where your surgery was performed and also where the ostomy was. Otherwise, your body should resume function and form.
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