Struggling with Post-Ostomy Surgery Complications

Hello. I had surgery on September 6th for an ostomy. I still don't feel better. I have a hernia that developed a week after my surgery. It showed up on a CT scan. (No blockage) Anytime I drink or eat, I have pain in my chest, tightening in my stomach, and a tightness that feels like I'm suffocating. My CT scans have shown no blockage but a lot of gas. Anytime I eat, I choke on my food and liquid. The last time I went to the hospital, they said they couldn't help me and didn't even give me fluids, knowing I was dehydrated. I was sent home from surgery with no support, no stoma nurse. My stoma was supposed to be temporary, and two weeks after the surgery, the surgeon said it will be permanent. My surgeon has said she won't see me again until a year from now when they will make it permanent. I feel like I did the wrong thing by having this surgery, yet I had no choice as my colon stopped working after I got Covid. At this point, I don't know what to do because doctors don't help, don't listen, and in general, I feel don't care. Thanks for listening.

Hey there,

I am sorry. I have had my fair share of doctors not listening. But don't get defeated. You can, and if you feel the need to go to your doctor, do it. She has no right to say she won't see you for a year; that's just stupid. Don't listen to what she has to say; find another doctor who will listen and care. Why she won't see you is bull... Did they tell you to take Gas-X for the built-up gas? They have chewables, which I would take and not the pill. You can see if that will help, or drink ginger ale or 7Up. If you want a stoma nurse, then call your doctor's office and tell them you want one and have them set you up with one. They don't normally set you up with a stoma nurse for after surgery, but the stoma nurse should have come in when you were in the hospital, though, and she should have at least given you her information so you can call her.

I got my ostomy after having Covid too. You are the first person I have heard of that is like me in that way. For me, Covid caused a major blockage in my colon, and they had to remove my colon, all but about 2 or 3 inches of it. It was 6 feet long and weighed 20 pounds. Covid is very bad. I am also like you in that I had no support after my initial surgery. It wasn't until my relocation surgery that I got support. I am so sorry to hear that you are being treated so badly, with no support and no one to help you. I am sorry too that you have a hernia. I have 3 incisional hernias that will need to be repaired at some stage, found in a CT scan as well. I wish I could tell you what to do about gas and about your discomfort from eating. If you drink carbonated drinks, stop doing that ASAP. Don't use a straw. Avoid foods that cause gas like beans, etc. Eat slowly, chew well, and eat small meals several times a day instead of 3 big meals. These are some of the things that were suggested to me early on after my relocation surgery. Also, give yourself some time to heal. You have only had your ostomy a short amount of time. It takes a few months for things to calm down. I will say I can't believe your hospital wouldn't give you fluids when you were dehydrated. That is terrible. I don't know what I would do if that happened to me. I have stage 3 kidney disease from acute kidney injury also due to Covid. When I get dehydrated, it is very serious. I don't know what I would do if I was turned away from a hospital when I was in that situation. I just want to say welcome to the group, and I hope you can find support here and help with what you need help with. Hang in there. It will get better. Also, I was told my ostomy would be temporary up till 2 weeks before reversal surgery, and then I had a pre-op appointment with the surgeon, and she said a reversal wasn't possible. That was when they decided to relocate my ostomy. For about a year, I couldn't even wear a bag. I couldn't get the dang thing to stick due to the placement of my ostomy. I had to wear a diaper across my belly for a year and deal with constant leaks and sore skin. My skin was so raw I was on pain killers. Didn't help, but that was all they could think to do. It was awful. Anyway, I'm here if you ever want to talk.

 

I am sorry you are dealing with this so soon after the procedure. It looks like you're in Ohio. Not sure if you were at Cleveland Clinic or another hospital.
I had my initial surgery there and it went well, but I ended up with some complications too. Stoma nurses were great and gave me their phone numbers, which I used. I totally agree that fizzy pop right now is going to hurt and cause some discomfort. I avoid it (mostly). Meat, perhaps, is also difficult to digest early on and often later too. I'm pretty much done with most red meats unless it's a special occasion. Perhaps try some soft foods for a while: mashed potatoes, soups. I love milkshakes and smoothies too.

 

I hope this helps some.

 

Rob

Browny, I'm not sure why you think ginger ale or 7Up will cause discomfort. I drank either of the two literally right after surgery in the hospital after all 6 of my surgeries for my ileostomy. Coke and other sodas most definitely not, but to help ease the stomach and try to get up some of the gas, take a couple of sips slowly and see if it helps.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Faith83, are you at least passing gas through your stoma?

Hi Faith,

First, sorry to hear you're dealing with all that. Let me be perfectly clear here... you need to get better doctors. Period. You definitely were not being treated at the Cleveland Clinic, but if I were you, I would be. If you're not close to Cleveland, they have satellite offices all around the country, and they all network with the big kahunas in Cleveland, so you'll be in good hands. Once you contact them and get them on your side, call your insurance company and complain about your previous doctor's behaviors. Having them removed from the insurance carrier's network will get their attention. If you need help finding a CC office near you, just shout.

;O)

Agreed

Big stamp Ditto! 

Your mama named you Faith for a reason, Hon.

Keep the faith.  And you will be alright.