How an ostomy rehabilitation specialist can help you
When a patient is recovering from ostomy surgery, it is recommended that they see a rehabilitation specialist. The specialist will teach patients how to adapt to life after surgery. This article will talk about what to expect during recovery from an ostomy, and how a specialist can help. Please feel free to view more at www.blakehurstchiro.com.au/exercise-rehabilitation.


When a patient is recovering from ostomy surgery, it is recommended that they see a rehabilitation specialist. The specialist will teach patients how to adapt to life after surgery. This article will talk about what to expect during recovery from an ostomy, and how a specialist can help. Please feel free to view more at www.blakehurstchiro.com.au/exercise-rehabilitation.
What is an ostomy?
An ostomy can be a complicated process, but it can be life-saving. The doctor makes an artificial opening that would allow waste to flow out of the body. Depending on the type of surgery done, there will be a bag connected to the opening, which is called a stoma, and then internally connected to the organ. This is done to cut the waste elimination process short so that certain organs can be skipped and the waste can be instantly brought out.
Will this waste elimination system be permanent?
It could be temporary or permanent. Your doctor will discuss this with you. However, if the patient is being prepped for surgery on one of the lower organs, there is a high likelihood that it would only be temporary and will be removed once the patient would be stable, and before they get discharged from the hospital. However, if the surgery is being done to remove an organ, especially if the organ is one that is used in the body’s process to dispose of waste, then it will most likely be permanent.
What to expect during recovery
Your doctor will advise you on the dos and don’ts that you have to follow after the surgery. There will be some blood coming out of your stoma for the first few days, but this is normal. Your rehabilitation specialist will teach you what the normal amount should be and then when you should expect it to stop. You will also be advised not to eat any food with a tough outer skin. You will also be told to expect a little pain while your stoma begins to work, but this pain should go away over time, as you get used to your stoma.
Benefits of having a rehabilitation specialist
A rehabilitation specialist will help you get back on your feet and regain some normalcy after the surgery. They will help you learn to cope with the stoma and adapt to everyday life. There will be a few changes from before you had the stoma, for example, you will need to learn how to clean your pouch on your own. A rehabilitation specialist will advise you on the available different pouch types, and also which one would work best for you. They will also advise you on other products that they think can be helpful for you, such as bandages, adhesive removers, and other supplies. You may not need all of these in the long run, but then the job of a rehabilitation specialist will be to tell you about everything you need to know about how to cope with life with your stoma.
If you have a stoma and are looking for an ostomy support group, there would be many that might be available in your area that can be of help to you. Being around people who are in the same situation can be beneficial for you. Aside from a rehabilitation specialist, you can ask your doctor about support groups that are in your area.