ostomy and surgery

[TiredTickerInTx]

Well it is getting closer to decision time for surgery and I am getting more and more anxious about all of it.
I am shooting for surgery on the 17th. I am waiting to get the verification from surgeons office on this date.
I was curious if anyone here that has had OHS had an ostomy at time of surgery? I have a colostomy to go along with an open abdominal wound and am concerned about risks associated with an ostomy. My surgeon says that the wound will not be an issue as long as there is no pus or infection, which there isn't, and he does not seem concerned about the ostomy either. I am probably worrying myself over nothing but it still is a concern of mine.
The more I think about doing this the less I want to do it. I know that it will improve my life as well as keep me around longer but I am trying to talk myself out of it sometimes. My wife won't let that happen though.
Any input on issues with ostomies and surgery would help ease my mind.
Thanks to all of you wonderful people for keeping this site going as it has been a great source of information.

Kevin

 

[Lynlw]

Do they have any idea WHY you have having trouble with your wound closing? Would there be a concern about your heart wound healing (not because of your ostomy or open wound, just in general)?

 

[bvdr]

Do they have any idea WHY you have having trouble with your wound closing? Would there be a concern about your heart wound healing (not because of your ostomy or open wound, just in general)?

It is very common to not close a surgical site when the surgery was for a fistula. It is so the wound heals from deep and heals upward until the surface heals as well. It is called "healing by 2nd intention". If this is what was done here, it should have no bearing on other areas.

 

[TiredTickerInTx]

Yes Betty, you are correct.
With my second abdominal surgery they completely closed me and after a few days I went septic and got very sick. What an awful situation that was. Since that time all surgeries for my fistulas have been left open. Healing takes a heck of a lot longer but it is actually safer for my circumstances.

 

[Debbrn]

I would suggest that a family member keeps home supplies available for your ostomy. The hospital may not use the exact supplies that you use. Also a family member may have to take care of it while you are unable to in the hospital if the cardiac nurses are not completely familiar with ostomy care. I have taken care of many patients that had ostomies, but were admitted for other reasons. Luckily the family usually took care of it because most of the nurses on the floor that I work on do not know how to do ostomy care. I can do ostomy care moderately well, so I changed the bag out for another nurse since the family had not been taught how to take care of it. If the staff has any problem, the hospital should have an enterostomal therapist (nurse) that can help them.

Debbie