My takedown was 10 days ago, and I recently started having a weird pain around the stoma scar. It hurst in that area when I strain to empty the pouch, and I was wondering whether it is possible to get a hernia around the stoma site is due to straining post op?
I don’t want to strain a lot, but I can’t empty if I don’t.
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I'm not too much farther out than you and I have the same issue in terms of straining . I try not to but sometimes its involuntary. I get some pain there from time to time. I called the surgeon yesterday because the area was slightly swollen and leaking some clear fluid. He said it's normal. I'm sure it's possible to get a hernia and know we should not strain if possible, but I do think some soreness at the stoma site is part of the healing.
You definitely can get a hernia at the old stoma site, particularly when the would is still healing. Emptying without straining takes experimentation and practice. It’s best to be patient with yourself, while you learn to coordinate muscles that haven’t had to work together previously. Learning to fully relax the outlet seems pretty important in reducing the amount of pressure needed to empty the pouch. I think peeing without pooping may be helpful practice here, mostly because it requires managing the muscles at the anal outlet independently, rather than tightening everything at once. YMMV. Good luck!
If you do need to strain please put both hands over your incision and support it while bearing down. Holding a folded towel or pad over your abdomen will help too.
please make sure you are drinking plenty of liquids.
Thanks everyone for their answers!
My dr. suggested lying in a very warm shallow bath to help relax. If needed, you can go right there and then wash up. But i found I could lie there, then towel off and get right on the toilet. Then I'd hop back in and wash to prevent butt burn. Time consuming, but it worked.
Even after 1+ years I find I have to stand up in the middle, and move around a bit, then empty again. I also drink a hot beverage first thing in the AM.
I find I am better off without thickeners as I empty better when output is looser. The only time I take immodium is when I'm having a really watery episode that does not want to stop. Fortunately I have quite good continence, so I do not leak. You can do Kegels to help with sphincter strength.
Eventually you will get the hang of emptying, it takes a while and is gradual. My dr. said give it a full year, and that was true for me.
