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

KathyFromEngland

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

kharps1971

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Hi Kathy

The cons with an ileostomy is finding the right bag, leakages and sore skin. Sad

The pro's are for me no more prolapses, no constipation with horrific pain, no more bleeding and once ive worked out all i can and cant eat and pretty normal life compaired to before.

Takes a while to adapt but i am very open with people with the bag so i can have a laugh or a cry and i dont feel so alone, although my friends dont have one we are pretty good at joking about things.

Hope this helps

Donna

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Hi Kathy,


The pros for me are:

Can have freedom to go out without worrying about having accidents at friends e.g. before was losing bowel continence.

Having more control over life.

Being able to go back to study and or work.

Partner does not have to stress and worry so much.

Less hospital stays (hopefully)

In other words can live life again and to the fullest.

The Cons for me are:

Accidents with the bag as in leaking, and skin problems.

Emotional stuff, to deal with the change, of having a bag.


More pros than cons for me anyway, but in a sense they all interrelate and the cons are getting cancelled by the pros lol.


Cheers


Donna

suziewoo

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Pros
I'm alive and well now
I can work and play and eat and drink
Most people will never know unless I want them to
I can still wear skinny jeans

Cons
Feeling different to everyone else
Leaks
Missing my old body
Wet bag after showering - boo

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CategoryIleostomy