Going through ostomy surgery can be rough on anyone. Not only do you have to deal with the pains and complications of the surgery itself, but you now must go through life dealing with a stoma. Even if your ostomy isn’t permanent, it’ll still change how you live your life for the time being.
That’s why knowing how to tackle the life changes coming your way with this new ostomy is critical. Lucky for you, we’re here to help with some tips on making it through the first few months. Once you get over that hump, things should become much easier.
Keep a Positive Attitude
The most important thing to do is try your best to keep a positive attitude after the surgery. Obviously, the initial pain will make that difficult, but after that subsides, you need to do everything you can to look on the bright side. We know that’s easier said than done, but it’s a critical part of adjusting successfully to your new life. Just do your best to remember that your ostomy won’t make anything impossible. It just might change how you have to go about it.
Find People To Open Up To
However, blind positivity isn’t a good thing either. If you have frustrations or problems, you need to let them out rather than bottle them up. Finding someone you can talk to about these things is a must if you’re going to make it through this transitional period of your life.
A trusted friend or family member is always a good place to start. They will be able to sympathize with you and give you advice on how to overcome your current struggles. While someone you know is a good place to start, they won’t truly understand what you’re going through unless they’ve had an ostomy themself.
That’s why it might be better to turn to ostomy support groups. Some might meet in person, depending on where you live, but there are plenty of options online for you to join. In these groups, you can talk with others who have gone through the same thing you are currently experiencing, so you’ll receive much better advice and support.
Try New Ways To Do Old Things
As previously mentioned, ostomies rarely make anything impossible. So if you want to do things you used to before the surgery, you’ll just need to find a new way to do them. For example, if you liked to stay active prior to this, you can still do that with an ostomy. Running, hiking, and working out are all very easy to do as long as you secure your ostomy bag and don’t push yourself too hard. If you use the right type of bag, you can even go swimming.
While it makes sense that being active could pose a challenge, one thing that many people don’t consider is how an ostomy can change their sleeping habits. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get a good night’s sleep with an ostomy bag. In the end, it’s important to remember that tackling the changes that come with an ostomy will take some time. However, as long as you keep an open and positive mindset and stay patient with yourself, you shouldn’t have any issues living your life.
