Usually, with an ostomy, there are different products and ways to make it more tolerable. So here are some tips to helping to adjust to an ostomy bag. There are different kinds both physical and emotional adjustments, worth mentioning especially with an ostomy bag. 

Know it’s Normal 

During the recovery phase, it is normal to deal with many feelings, especially if you’ve dealt with a surgery which has changed you.That means you’re responsible not just for the stoma, but what happens to it, and also the changes you must do along with the skincare aspects. This can be quite stressful for some people, and you might experience grief, some anger, or even sadness. Know that it’s normal, because 1 in 500 people live with an ostomy, and by having the right support and supplies, you’ll be able to transition easily. 

Know when To Ask for Help 

It is normal to feel very down after getting an ostomy, and there can be feelings that stick around for a bit. There also might be signs of depression too, such as apathy, hopelessness feelings, anxious thoughts, thoughts of suicide, irritability, sleep problems, fatigue, or just a lot of sadness. If this is going on for a bit, you should reach out to get help, and know that there’s no shame in asking when you’re going through this. 

Find a Community 

If you’re looking to get help for your ostomy, sometimes talking to someone is a great first step. You can be supported and feel like you’re really you once again. Hearing from people who also have dealt with this also is good. You also might want to talk to a therapist or counselor if you’re struggling to find ways to cope healthily with the ostomy. 

Know the Stoma will Change 

At this point, you may wonder about your stoma. It does change in size and shape during the weeks after discharge. It will be swollen, but you can measure this every now and then to see how big or small it’s gotten.  If you notice that the swelling isn’t going down, or maybe it’s gotten very small in size, you might want to talk to your doctor abut this to see what the can offer to you. 

Learn how to Use Ostomy Bags 

Ostomy care is something new. Once you’re done with surgery, you should learn direct from the nurse or doctor how to use and also how to change the ostomy bag. It can be overwhelming to do it by yourself though, and if you have questions, you should always reach out to ensure that you get this on right. Learning how to change these bags does eventually help with improving your life, but it can be a bit cumbersome to change early on. 

Minimize Skin irritation 

This should be a given but try your best to ensure that you’re taking care of your skin as much as you can. Skin irritation is one of the more common things, and you may end up getting rashes and bumps, or even full-fledged wounds around the barrier. Usually, this is due to a reaction, too many adhesives, a buildup of seal adhesives, wrongful seal that’s creating leakages, and of course, badly-fitting appliances of skin barrier changes that are happening too much. Take some time to get familiar with your skin, and if you notice that there are changes, or maybe there is skin that’s red or weepy, you should talk to your doctor or nurse to see just how they can help you with this too.