A stoma is a small bag you will be given after having an ostomy operation - and it is used to help the body to divert urine and faeces out of the body if your digestive system has been compromised for any reason.
Living with a stoma is a daunting prospect as often these will protrude from the body in the form of a small pinkish bag, and it is common for those who get a stoma for the first few months to feel a little self conscious and uncomfortable with this addition to the body.
Today we want to take about stomas and how you can get used to living with one if you have one this year. It is not as difficult as you may think and you can absolutely live a full and happy life with one.
Your stoma nurse
The great thing about the process of having ostomy products on your body is the nurse. Your nurse is trained to make you feel as confident and comfortable as possible and they will talk you through what a stoma is as well as how to live your day to day life with one. Your nurse will teach you how to care for your stoma, they will help you get used to food and drink with a stoma, and how to be confident in your intimate relationships. Your stoma nurse is a brilliant resource and you should utilise them.
Don’t be scared to ask
When you first have a stoma installed on your body it is only natural that you may feel uncomfortable and confused. There will be a lot of questions you will have for your nurse and doctor and this is the time when you should absolutely ask as many questions as you need to to understand life from here. Never feel afraid to ask a question because the more you ask the better it will be for you in the long run.
Find the right one for you
There are a few different types of stoma you can have for your body and it is important that you get the right one for your needs. When choosing a stoma for yourself you have 3 different options: regular, inward, or outward. When a decision is made on a stoma it will most likely be to down to the severity of your condition and your needs.
Clothing
One of the hardest things for you to get used to as a stoma wearer is fashion. We all know how hard it can be to feel confident in our clothing choices on a regular day but when a stoma is added to the mix things are more complex. However you can still feel happy and confident with a stoma as long as you consider wearing clothes more suited to one. Think of flowing styles of tops and dresses and stick to low rise jeans and pants to give room to your stoma. You can still dress to impress with a stoma so don’t feel as if you have to wear baggy T-shirts and sweats all the time!
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