Don't be reserved when cleaning the area—soap and water will not flow into your stoma and cannot cause any damage. Since certain products can cause irritation or adhesion problems, many people choose to only use water. Cleaning your peristomal skin with water is completely acceptable and will be sufficient.
Soap and water will not flow into your stoma or hurt it in any way. Here are some helpful tips: You can shower or bathe with your pouch on or off – the choice is yours. However, removing the pouch from a two-piece system before showering may weaken the skin barrier adhesion.
You can either bathe with the pouch on or take it off - there's no damage that will be caused to the stoma if you choose to shower with the pouch off. If you shower with the pouch on the pouches are waterproof, the water just sits on top of the cover and can be towel dried.
The best soap to use is anything that is unscented and has no oils or moisturizers because they interfere with adhesives and will cause your ostomy pouch to not stick as well. After your skin is totally dry, apply the skin prep in a thin and even layer around your stoma.
Exposure to air and water won't harm the stoma, so unless your doctor or ostomy nurse has told you otherwise, you're fine to shower without your ostomy pouch. Some ostomates enjoy this, as it gives your skin a break from the pouching system, while others prefer to keep their system on.
Normal exposure to air or contact with soap and water won't harm the stoma. Water will not flow into the stoma. Soap will not irritate it, but soap may interfere with the skin barrier sticking to the skin. It's best to only use water while cleaning the skin around your stoma.
Clean around the stoma with warm water and a soft washcloth each time you change the pouch. Water does not harm the stoma. You can even take a bath or shower without your pouch if you choose: There are no nerves in the stoma, so there is no feeling.
Clean the pouch
Wipe the inside and outside of the tail with toilet paper. This helps prevent any odor. Check both sides of the pouch for tears or holes. If you find any, put on a new pouch.
Once home, avoid strenuous activities that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will give you advice about how soon you can go back to normal activities. At first you will pass wind through your stoma and then, usually within 2 or 3 days, you poo through it.
A colostomy bag is used to collect your poo. How often it needs to be changed depends on which type of bag you use. Closed bags may need changing 1 to 3 times a day. There are also drainable bags that need to be replaced every 2 or 3 days.
Many people enjoy leaving their skin uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes after taking their pouching system off. This is called a skin break. Taking a skin break can help with irritation or keep it from happening. You can decide if you want to take a skin break.
Wash your hands before and after caring for your stoma. The best way to clean the skin around your stoma is to use warm water and a washcloth, or soft paper towels. The use of gauze or gloves is not needed.
Plain water or a mild soap (no fragrance, no oil) are usually enough for ostomy skin care. Do NOT use baby wipes as a replacement for ostomy cleaning products; they are not the same and can interfere more with your wafer.
Skin care. To clean the skin around the stoma, just use water on soft paper towels. Do not use baby wipes, oils, powders, ointments, or lotions on the skin around the stoma unless directed to do so.
How often should a stoma bag be changed? You can change your stoma bag as often as you feel you need to. If you have a colostomy and wear a closed bag you will most likely change your pouch after every bowel movement – approximately between 1 to 3 times a day.
Sleeping on your back is a safe option, especially in the days and weeks after surgery. If you are sleeping on the same side as your stoma, you may feel a little vulnerable and worry that it may either hurt or you might roll onto your stoma and even your pouch. The mattress will support the ostomy pouch as it fills.
About Your Wet Colostomy
After your surgery, your urine (pee) and stool (poop) will leave your body through your wet colostomy stoma. Your stoma will have 2 parts (see Figure 1): A urinary diversion. Your urine will flow from your kidneys, through your ureters, and out of your body through your urinary diversion.
If the stoma bag fits well there should be no smell except when changing it. If you do notice a smell from your bag, you should check it as there may be a leak under the flange and the bag will need changing.
A colostomy is an operation to create an opening (stoma) of the large bowel (colon) onto the surface of the tummy (abdomen). Your poo no longer passes out of your body through your back passage. Instead, it passes out through the stoma. You wear a bag that sticks onto the skin over the stoma to collect your poo.
Infections around a stoma are rare, but can happen for various reasons so it is essential to have a good skin care regime in order to maintain healthy skin. Check your stoma and skin regularly each time you change your stoma appliance, which will help identify any new issues if they arise.
Can you swim after stoma surgery? Yes you can!
If you have higher fluid losses than the average person, it's best to drink the recommended 6-8 cups of fluid a day plus choose saltier foods and hydrating foods. Occasionally when someone has loose bowel movements, drinking more fluid can make them more dehydrated.
Also, it is normal to smell your ostomy output and gas when you are changing your ostomy bag. As you would if you went to the toilet the standard way to poo, it's natural for it to have a smell... After all, it is waste from your digestive system!