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After any type of surgery, a certain amount of time is required for regeneration. The body needs time to rest in order to be fully functional again. Understanding what to expect after a stoma operation can help avoid expecting too much during recovery.
Healing is a slow and gradual process which cannot be forced. You need to take the time to rest. Be gentle on yourself during the recovery phase after the operation and only do what feels right for you. The healing process is different for everyone - so don't put yourself under any pressure. Your body heals in the time it needs.
If you are awaiting stoma surgery or recently post op, you might be wondering how long your recovery from stoma operation will take. Here, we give some guidance of what to expect. These are simply benchmarks of recovery, we will all recover in our own way and at our own pace.
After a stoma surgery, it is completely normal to feel a little emotional and overwhelmed. To some extent, the appearance of your body has changed and so your physical sensations have changed too. Accepting these changes is an important part of your recovery process. Whether you want to talk about your feelings about your new stoma is a personal decision. Let your loved ones be part of your healing, let them help you. Talking to other people about your situation and feelings can often be very helpful and prevent you from feeling isolated and helpless.
During the regeneration process in the first 6 to 8 weeks, the swelling will continuously decrease, your stoma will shrink and the discharge will regulate. At the end of this phase, your stoma care nurse will measure and assess your stoma in order to recommend the most suitable product for you.
As soon as your stoma is fully functional and starts producing discharge, this may be irregular at first. Both diarrhoea and constipation are not unusual. So don't worry, the situation will stabilise over the next few weeks.
Your stoma must be working before you are allowed to go home. Before that you will be shown how to care for your stoma, most importantly how to change and empty your pouch. Also, how to keep the skin around your stoma clean and healthy to prevent infection. You also must feel confident in caring for your stoma before you are going home. It is a good idea to ask a loved one to help you with this as you might feel weak at this stage of recovery and it can be a lot to take in all at once.
In the first few weeks try to avoid doing any housework, chores or any lifting. Let family and friends help you, let them prepare meals, clean your house or water your garden for you. They can also help chauffeur you around if you are starting to go out and about.
During this time, you will hopefully feel your strength beginning to return as you recuperate, which should see you become slightly more active.
Becoming more active after stoma surgery can seem daunting, but it is important to slowly ease your way into being active again.
A small guideline during this time: Do not lift anything heavier than a kettle!
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The contents of this blog, including all text, graphics, images and information, are intended for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have any questions about a medical condition or treatment, and before starting any new healthcare treatment. Reliance on any information provided on this website regarding health related decisions are solely at the reader's own risk.