Stoma and Stomata

You can return to your job in two or three months after you had your stoma surgery. This depends on your general health. If you feel like working and of course healthy just do it go to job. You will feel good meeting with your mates. Be advised that it is not recommended though to lift heavy weights it your job implies that.

If you want to go enjoy sport do be careful with your stoma. Check and replace your fluids and develop your fits gradually. If you are the type to enjoy contact sports be very careful to your stoma and wear a stoma guard to protect it. If you like swimming try wearing a smaller appliance to your stoma, because this is more discrete. You’ll feel better.

If you need or just want to travel be sure to plan ahead in detail, and try to think at protecting and hiding your stoma .

When traveling by air:

· Drink plenty

· Arrange your seat in advance near the toilets

· If you had a colostomy a change in air pressures can cause more flatus. Avoid fizzy drinks!

· Bring double supplies and plenty stoma pouches

If will be traveling to hotter climate:

• Think that you may need to change your appliance frequently.
• Dehydration will sure be a problem.It is highly recommended that you drink lots of fluids.
• Alcohol will accelerate dehydration, so be balanced and don’t drink as much.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication. This will help a lot if you will try new cuisine.
• Store supplies in a cool and dry place.
• Take with you a light plastic mattress cover if you are afraid your stoma could leak at nights (a plastic bag will do just good to).
• Very important : Have insurance cover!!!

Driving is allowed just after two months you had your stoma surgery. Be careful not to let the seat belt too tight and try to avoid hitting or damaging your stoma by mistake. It can harm you badly.

In your sex life the can be a lot of problems regarding the physical and/or psychological aspects. Some are embarrassed about having sex again after their stoma. I can tell you that I was and it was ratter hard to get over it. The first feeling you get is that you will be rejected. That is not true. Just talk ahead with your partner and all will be just great. Sex is very important to keep you happy and to show to your self that you can remake your life just as it was before having as stoma.

Having a stoma does not mean that you can not have a baby. Many women successfully conceived stomas. And they had normal and good deliveries too. Just speak with your doctor before you make this important step to see if you are fit both mentally and physiologically to do so. Speak to a gynecologist too. You’ll think o.k. but wouldn’t the stoma be damaged by the increasing abdomen? No its just fine, though stoma will change it’s form and you will need to see your doctor more often to check on your stoma. All will be good if your are confident in yourself. Be brave and carry on with your old life. Life with a stoma can be rather normal if you are a well organized person and a hard spirit inside. Best wishes.