Stoma Retraction Issues After Starting Yoga

I've been having a problem with the bottom half of my stoma being retracted under my skin while the top half protrudes same as always, about a half inch or so out. The retraction started in April after I started doing yoga. 

My stoma has always had a bit of a Homer Simpson overbite look to it but now there is no bottom. It didn't retract imediately, it happened over about 4 weeks. I quit doing yoga and made an appt. with my family doctor. I came back out just a smidge so I thought it was going to be fine. I took pictures of it at each change to she my doc. She thinks that at some point I untacked part of my colon from my abdominal wall and I will need to have surgery to repair it if it doesn't resolve it's self. She said that if the whole thing was retracted it would be so much easier to work with and not need surgery but half retraction will probably have to be repaired. Plus I have to be careful bending and twisting.

It was looking ok until I was having to reach up on a top shelf. Apparently stretching up to reach something causes it to retract in too. Now it's back in and the skin around the bottom is becoming sore and irritated. When changing my wafer last night I made a mental connection between this current issue and a previous issue with abdominal fistulas. The retraction starts at the scaring from the fistula around to the other side.

I was wondering if anyone had had an issue like this and could give me some advice. I don't know if I should continue to wait and give it a chance to come back out on it's on or go ahead and just see the surgeon.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Suz,

I never knew we could "untack" part of our stoma's.....wouldn't it hurt, or cause bleeding somewhere?

What about using a convex pouch system?

I do think the surgeon would have good insite on what should be done. The sooner you go see him/her the longer you can digest what is said and can make an informed decision or even get a second opinion.

Hope you get some answers soon.

Hi Mrs.A,

I didn't know that either but she said it was to keep the stoma from pulling into he abdomen when we twist and turn and just generally move around.

I already use a convex system because of the shape of my abdomen and that I have normal bowel movements. I tried adding more convexity to it but no difference.

I saw the surgeon yesterday and he said it's probably still attached inside. The problem is more likely scar tissue (go figure!) from the abdominal fistulas I had 2 years ago contracting it in. His nurse set me up with a stoma nurse to figure out how to make things work. I'll probably have to have it revised if it gets worse which is a complete abdomial surgery again. He wasn't surprised this happened.

Wish me luck!

Oh Suz,

What a bummer, to say the least! I sure hope you and the nurse have found something that is working for you.