What to expect if you need emergency stoma surgery
Most people who undergo surgery to form a stoma will have been living with an inflammatory bowel disease or a continence disorder and may have had months or years to mentally and emotionally prepare for the possibility of a stoma – which can sometimes, but not always, make the adjustment less difficult to deal with. However, there are also those who unexpectedly require stoma surgery, possibly as a result of an injury or other health complication. In these cases, people have very little time to process the information before stoma surgery takes place. If you are one of these people, please read on for some support and advice we think you may benefit from.
Stoma surgery is often life-saving
Although you may dislike your stoma at first and have difficulty getting used to the idea of being an ‘ostomate’, many people eventually feel quite grateful for their stomas, and some even become fond of them, giving them names and celebrating the anniversaries of their creation. There is no pressure to feel this way, though, and if you are struggling with feelings about your stoma, it may be worth speaking to your health care team about the possibility of some counselling. Don’t forget that you have been through an unexpected and possibly traumatic experience, so needing some additional support is nothing to feel ashamed of.
You may also find reading about others’ experiences or joining a support group helpful.
Hear from our SecuriCare bloggers who share the experiences of those living with a stoma and how they came to first have surgery.
Make use of information booklets and the support of your assigned Stoma Care Nurse
Your care team should have provided you with information leaflets and booklets, if not, you can always ask and we also have some available to download online. You should also have been assigned a Stoma Care Nurse. These are specialist nurses who are available to speak to you in person or on the phone to discuss your stoma care needs. If you have not been assigned a Stoma Care Nurse, please feel free to contact SecuriCare and we will put you in contact with one.
We also hold regular stoma care clinics in several locations around the UK which you would be welcome to attend.
If you’re going in for surgery over the next few days and are feeling underprepared, or you have woken up from surgery and are in shock to find you have a stoma please take a look at our advice and support section which includes the following:
