Immediate weeks following surgery
When you are in the hospital, you will be taught how to care for your stoma.
Your nurse will help you find the right products and pouching system for your individual needs. You should be given enough product samples to allow you to try a variety of system types and determine which is best for you. Make sure you contact a healthcare professional if you or your family is having trouble with the equipment.
Going home from the hospital can cause anxiety for anyone with a new stoma. Changing your pouch for the first time can also make you feel anxious. It is important to remember that you are not alone. ConvaTec specialists are here to help. A specialized nurse helpline is available to answer your product-related questions. Don’t hesitate to call if you have a problem or even if you just need reassurance that what you are doing is correct.
THE CONVATEC CUSTOMER INTERACTION CENTER
For more information, please visit the ConvaTec Customer Interaction Center.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK
After your surgery, you may have questions about many things: diet, clothing, returning to work, intimate relations, etc. Below is a list of questions you may want to ask your healthcare professional:
- Who should I tell about my surgery?
- How active can I be after surgery?
- Should I bathe or shower with the pouch on? What about soap?
- Will there be any odor?
- How many times a day will I need to empty the pouch?
- What is the correct way to empty a drainable pouch?
- How long can I wear one appliance between changes?
- Where can I purchase supplies?
- My stoma looks large. Will it always be this size?
YOUR NURSE
You may find that you have many questions in the days and weeks following your surgery. You may be assigned a specialized ostomy nurse, who can answer most of your questions, help you with stoma care, and even give you some reassurance when you need it. During this time, you may find that you are feeling depressed or “blue.” You may experience frustration until you get comfortable with your pouching system. This is perfectly normal.
You may find that you are more comfortable talking to a healthcare professional away from a clinical setting like a doctor’s office. It is important that you find the setting that makes you most comfortable, so your nurse can give you the support and information that is best for you. Remember, whatever you decide—the choice is yours.