Loving my ileostomy

[CrazyCrohnieKatie]

I'm one week out of surgery today and I feel great!! The Dr removed my large colon and gave me an ileostomy, she said my colon was so bad I only had about 2 feet left...it was eating itself to try to heal. I guess I was in such bad shape that I was only a few months away from heart failure. I thought I felt fine until now, now that I had the surgery and feel better I forgot what normal felt like. I absolutely love my ileostomy, I love not having to run to the bathroom or worry about having an accident. I know its going to take some time to get used to but as of now I couldn't be happier. I wish I would have done the surgery sooner. I do have one question tho, how can I reduce my gas? This damn thing is passing gas a lot!! I have to let the air out least 5 times a day...lol. No matter what I eat its always gassy.

 

[2thFairy]

Hooray!! I'm so glad you are having a good experience with your ileostomy and are feeling better already. I love my ileostomy too! I think everyone should have one--even people without IBD. Hahaha!!!

The excess gas will go away with time, just as the odor will die down significantly with time as well. Dietary changes will help, such as avoiding foods that are known to produce a lot of gas like beans, cabbage, onions, etc. If you had trouble with certain foods causing gas before surgery, avoid those now too. Some people also have trouble with carbonated drinks causing a balloon bag or foods high in sugar like fruit. You can try the supplement Beano or maybe even Gas-X, but mostly just dietary changes and time will make a difference.

Onions still give me a balloon bag, even after 1-1/2 years!

 

[CrazyCrohnieKatie]

Lol, I know. Everyone should have one. Haha. It's so nice knowing what normal feels like again. I just wish this gas would stop now! Lol. It's so weird, I never had gas before and now it won't stop. Haha. I'm looking forward to living a new life and moving on with this damn disease.