What are the pros and cons of having and living with a colostomy?

KathyFromEngland

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If you have (or had) a colostomy, what are the pros and cons that you can think of?

Tamara

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Great Question...

Pros:


Cons:

emptying/cleaning of bag
getting use to it

Perhaps in time I may have a different list but still being so new, I am enjoying it with very little problems.

MikeNZ

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I think the Pros depend on your reason(s) for having an ostomy; I didn't have any choice due to cancer. No continual trips to the loo is a big plus!

Cons for me are (a) disposing of closed bags, especially in public places, and (b) as for Tamara, getting used to it. Seems mildly disgusting at first, but you adjust in time.

Michael

katzwhisker

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Pros:

I'm alive
I'm 90 lbs, instead of 60
I have MUCH fewer accidents WITH the ostomy than I did without it - and the stress of "waiting" for an accident to happen is virtually gone.
I can (and DO!) eat whatever I want

Cons:

Clothing issues
Self-consciousness
Odor control
Did I mention self-consciousness?

derfsvic

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Since mine was result of an emergency my first pro would be that I am alive !!!!

I can't think of many cons - it really does not bother me. Although that might be a con for me that I am too blunt about it, and that everyone in the room does not want to know that I have it.

Lori

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As with most of you, I had no choice in this matter, due to the location of my tumor. I really can't think of alot of pros. I guess one is not having to run to the bathroom when you have to go. I have been lucky not to have any problems right from the beginning. Most of the time, I forget I even have a colostomy.

The cons are: making embarassing noises at inappropriate times, underwear not fitting right, not being able to wear a two peice bathing suit, and not being able to wear tight excersise clothes (spandex) when I go to the gym.

PattiMc

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The biggest con to me is the inconvenience, although I'm getting faster at emptying the bag in a public restroom. Also the fact that when the bag fills I have a big lump on one side of my abdomen, and I wonder if people notice. I wish I was more like Vic and could just tell everybody that I have a colostomy. Maybe in time I'll get more comfortable with that. Oh, and being fearful of making noises, but I suppose even conventional poopers have that issue.

Patti

dsankey

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Mmm........i can't think of any pros since i didn't ask to be in this situation (am feeling a tad bitter today)........or cons tbh......oh yes, what Michael says... self-consciousness...that's a biggie especially since i do a lot of exercising. Also, underwear.......i used to be a g-string gal but cannont wear them anymore due to my rectum scar and bag.

Denise

Sorrrrrrrrrry, i didn't mean to come across as a bitter person in that last post.....Kathy........please tell your friend that there are lots of pros and cons..........i guess the only pro for me is what Ann calls her 'portable toilet'....this is a plus i guess........i can 'go' whenever i want to (Wink)

Thanks Tamara

beebee

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I `d like to answer this post, but don`t feel I`m "qualified enough" as I did not have any illness or serious medical condition prior to having my colostomy. Love Beth xxx

Charlie

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I had my rectum and part of my colon removed due to cancer.
Had an Ileostomy for three months, and then had a reversal.
I lived in the toilet for three years after my reversal and then had a colostomy.

Pros: - I?m alive.

I don?t live in the toilet anymore.

I can eat again when I want to eat.

I can actually go out for a meal.

No desperation for the toilet and if need be I could change my pouch in a lay-by.

Cons; - None so far but it?s early days yet, I?ve only had my colostomy for 29 days.

Crazy_Wheels83

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Pro's

I don't get conspitated anymore
I don't need to get out of my chair and wait 1hr
I'm alive
I'm not 90 pounds anymore
I don't look like a stick
I can eat when ever
Chocolate makes me have more stool and I love chocolate, it use to conspitated me, but now with my colostomy it doesn't.

Con's
Leaking
Ulcers
Skin rashes

cal

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Great question by the way.......

Pro's
Not living in the toilet
Not suffering constant abcessess
Not having constant kidney infections
Closing up my fistula's
Being able to go out and not worry if I would make it to the toilet
Not soiling myself all the time
Putting 3 stone on
Being able to go on holiday
Not having to take steroids that gave me osteophorosis (sp)
Being able to work
Being able to reintroduce foods back into my diet and having an appetite again.
Being able to have alcohol again.

Con's
I feel a bit self conscious when I empty my pouch at work or in Public due to the odour.

That's it for the con's hardly anything.

I wished I had had my colostomy op years ago as it has certainly gave me a quality of life.

Cal
x x

Flashduck

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Pros
Quality of Life has improved immeasurably!

I am saving a fortune on washing detergent;
. . . and a fortune on toilet paper;
. . . . and water, for washing and flushing;
. . . . . underwear and nappy disposal bags;

I have loads more time

I feel so much cleaner

Have I mentioned my quality of life has improved?

I am able to eat solids, or drink a hot drink without immediate consequences.



Cons
I'm not allowed to run yet! But I will!

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