Having an ileostomy doesn’t mean that you are going to have to alter your lifestyle drastically. You will regain your ability to live to the fullest by the time you recover from ileostomy surgery.

The doctor will decide to give you an ileostomy when your colon gets damaged due to cancer or an inflammatory disorder. Such conditions hamper the natural function of the colon, leading the patient to require an ileostomy.

The surgical process

During ileostomy surgery, the surgeon will separate the small intestine from the colon and pull the end of the small intestine through a cut on the belly. The wastes will leave your body through this end, which is also known as the stoma. A stoma doesn’t have any sphincter muscles, meaning that you will no longer retain control over when you evacuate your bodily wastes. It necessitates wearing an ostomy bag the entire time.

Alternatively, your surgeon may create an internal pouch by folding the end of the small intestine into itself. This pouch or reservoir is connected to the anus to allow the patient to regain control over stool evacuations. This procedure essentially eliminates the need to wear an external pouch. The surgeon will create this reservoir if your anal tissues are still intact.

If you are to undergo an ileostomy operation, you will need to stay in the hospital for 3-10 days. You will need to get hospitalized the night before surgery and remain hospitalized after surgery until your initial recovery phase is over. During this time, the surgical staff will monitor how well you are doing with recovery. An ostomy care nurse will visit your room to teach you the basics of ostomy care. He or she will also run you through the process of ostomy pouch change, which is an essential part of the ostomy care regimen.

What to expect after surgery

Full recovery after surgery takes 6-8 months. The lifestyle changes during this recovery phase will be drastic, but you may become more lenient once you are fully recovered. You may wonder what your life will be like with an ileostomy. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

What to eat

You will not be able to eat high-fiber foods right after surgery. During the initial recovery phase, you may have to stick to fluids. At home, you may add some pasty foods to your diet. The general rule of thumb is to avoid the intake of more fibers until your body adapts to a shortened bowel. Once you are recovered, you can eat pretty much everything you have been eating before surgery. You may have to make some changes regarding the amount and time of food intake, though.

Physical activity

The doctor may suggest you avoid strenuous exercises during the recovery period. Even after the recovery phase is over, you will need to ask your doctor when you can lift heavy objects.

Caring for the pouching system

The most essential part of the ostomy care regimen is to care for your pouching system. Make sure that you are using the ostomy pouch that is right for your stoma and the skin around it. The type of waste you pass out also determines the type of ostomy pouch you will need to wear. Be sure to discuss everything with your doctor or ostomy care nurse.