Ileostomy: An Overview

An ileostomy is a surgical procedure to treat the bowel after the lower part of the digestive tract is deceased or damaged. This surgical procedure results in the creation of an opening in the abdomen to allow waste materials to leave the body prematurely.

During the procedure, a hole is created in the abdomen. The end of the small intestine is then passed through that hope to create a stoma. Due to the rest of the bowel ahead of the ileum or small intestine bypassed, waste materials leave the body through the stoma instead of the anus. Those waste materials fall into an ostomy pouch fitted over the abdomen in a way that the stoma opens into that pouch.

You may need an ileostomy if all or a significant part of your colon is removed or bypassed. Diseases that might put you in an emergency to receive an ileostomy mainly include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Surgeries that usually require an ileostomy

• Colectomy, also known as colon resection
• Small bowel obstruction
• Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy

An ileostomy can be short or long term.

Having a short term ileostomy means that you may retain your rectum and anus after getting your colon removed. This ostomy will allow your rectum to recover until your surgeon decides to connect it to the digestive tract.

A long-term ileostomy is when the rectum and anus are removed. This ileostomy is usually permanent because there are not rectum and anus to allow the patient to get the normal bowel functions back.

The creation of an ileostomy involves an incision in the abdominal wall. The surgeon then disconnects the small intestine from the colon and pulls the end of the ileum through that incision in the belly. It means that a stoma is essentially a part of the intestine sticking out on the belly.

In some cases, the surgeon may want to create an internal reservoir, which sits over the anal canal. It is called a J-pouch, or ileoanal reservoir.

Before ostomy surgery

Ostomy surgery is stressful, just like other surgeries. You may have a lot of concerns in your mind before surgery. Therefore, understanding how to prepare for it and how to deal with the post-surgery situation is necessary.

First, you have to tell your doctor about the medicines and supplements that you currently take. Some of those may prove counterproductive before or after surgery. For instance, you may need to avoid taking blood thinners. Your doctor will provide complete instructions regarding which medicines to take and which to stop.

Ileostomy surgery aftercare

You will need to have bed rest for a few days after surgery. During this time, the doctor and surgeon will instruct you to avoid any physical exertion. They will, however, encourage you to walk around in the hospital to activate your bowels. A nurse will tell you how to take care of your stoma and use an ostomy pouching system.

You will need to be careful during the first six weeks after surgery. Six weeks is the minimum time your bowels will take to recover from the impact of surgery. You may have to stay away from any strenuous activities, including gym workouts, jogging, or aerobic exercises, during this time.

You will have to remain in touch with your doctor and ostomy care nurse to get direction about your physical movements and diet.