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Thousands of people have to live with ostomies. An ostomy is a diversion in the urinary or digestive tract to reroute the passage of wastes from its natural pathway. Two intestinal ostomies are the colostomy and ileostomy, while an ostomy on the urinary tract is a urostomy. Your doctor will choose to give you an ostomy based on an illness that restricts the evacuation of waste materials.
There is a lot of content available on how to live with an ostomy. This availability naturally gives birth to a lot of misconceptions. In this article, we will discuss those misconceptions in detail.
Myth 1: People easily notice an ostomy.
Myth 1: People easily notice an ostomy.
Because you get to deal with your ostomy pouch various times a day, and the bulge it forms becomes more noticeable when you look down at your belly, you may tend to think that it is noticeable for other people as well. The good news is that modern ostomy pouches are discreet enough to remain hidden under the clothes.
Myth 2: An ostomy means goodbye to a physical training regimen.
Myth 2: An ostomy means goodbye to a physical training regimen.
While you may not be able to lift heavy objects for a long time, and your doctor will recommend you to steer clear from any physical exertion until your bowel recovers, it doesn’t mean that a gym becomes a no-go area. The fact of the matter is that an ostomy may help you to perform even better fitness training due to the surgical elimination of the root cause of your poor health.
Myth 3: An ostomy means issues with physical intimacy.
Myth 3: An ostomy means issues with physical intimacy.
While an ostomy indeed brings some changes in your lifestyle, it doesn’t mean that you will not be able to live an active and healthy life. Most people fear the loss of the ability to maintain a physical relationship with their spouses. Ostomy surgery may result in the loss of interest in getting intimate for some time, but you do not lose the natural ability. Perhaps, you may want to discuss with your spouse the unique challenges that you need to overcome. Eventually, you will adapt to the change in your body image and start enjoying your life in an even better way.
Myth 4: All ostomies are permanent.
Myth 4: All ostomies are permanent.
Most ostomies are temporary, but the real reason for a permanent or temporary ostomy is the underlying condition. The severity or type of infection you have in your bowel determines whether or not your ostomy is going to be permanent.
Myth 5: Ostomates have to stick to an overhauled diet plan.
Myth 5: Ostomates have to stick to an overhauled diet plan.
Right after surgery, you are going to have to limit yourself to a more restricted diet plan. Its reason is the vulnerability of your bowel to develop infections and other problems due to the impact of surgery. But, you can return to your favorite diet plan after your bowel recovers. The process of adding your preferred food items into your diet might have to be gradual, but you will get to eat everything you like at any time you want.
If you want to know about ostomy and its implications on your life, you may want to speak with a doctor or a qualified ostomy care nurse.
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