I was wondering how long the site heals where the stoma was. My surgeon didn't staple it or stitch it. It's like a wound: and I'm just wondering how long it's going to take to heal. I have to have it covered all the time if not it would get Infected for sure. I just would like to know when it won't be pink and giving off discharge.
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I don't remember having a discharge from my stoma site but it cleared up in around 2 months. Does your doctor know about the discharge?
It is still pink and my take down was 21 months ago.
It is still pink and my take down was 21 months ago.
nikid,
I've had 4 different stoma sites...the 3 original ones were all left open to heal on their own...they all 'wept' and drained fluids and granulated in very slowly...I found that after a number of weeks, 3-4, once it started to heal 'in' and 'up' (they heal from bottom up and sides in) I was able to put a steri strip or 2 on top of it to bring the edges closer together to help it to close strait (prevents that horrible puckered look that they usually get)...but 4-8 weeks is normal depending on where on your abdomen it is, how thin or not you are and whether or not your stoma was in the fatty part of your abdomen or on a thinner area...(the fattier the site the longer it seemed to take to heal in my case...)...as for the colour, depending on your natural skin tone, how healthy you are and heridity or healing...it could take over a year to lose the pinky colour.
I'd keep the covering on it until the suface is healed although once it is healed in even if it isn't totally closed you can take it off to shower.
In the end it is mostly protection for your clothes and not you.
There are scar gels and strips and lotions that can help with the colour once it is healed.
Sharon
I've had 4 different stoma sites...the 3 original ones were all left open to heal on their own...they all 'wept' and drained fluids and granulated in very slowly...I found that after a number of weeks, 3-4, once it started to heal 'in' and 'up' (they heal from bottom up and sides in) I was able to put a steri strip or 2 on top of it to bring the edges closer together to help it to close strait (prevents that horrible puckered look that they usually get)...but 4-8 weeks is normal depending on where on your abdomen it is, how thin or not you are and whether or not your stoma was in the fatty part of your abdomen or on a thinner area...(the fattier the site the longer it seemed to take to heal in my case...)...as for the colour, depending on your natural skin tone, how healthy you are and heridity or healing...it could take over a year to lose the pinky colour.
I'd keep the covering on it until the suface is healed although once it is healed in even if it isn't totally closed you can take it off to shower.
In the end it is mostly protection for your clothes and not you.
There are scar gels and strips and lotions that can help with the colour once it is healed.
Sharon
Thank you for posting this question, and thank you to those who are responding. I've been wondering the same thing and forgot to ask my surgeon to give me more details at my appointment last week.
Blessings!
Blessings!
I had my last surgery August 7 this year & they also left my Stoma area open to heal from the inside up. It looked to me like a bullet hole & at first intimidated me more than my Stoma ever did. I followed instructions to keep it clean & dry; just letting water & mild cleansing soap run over it in the shower. My site was completely healed before my 6 week post op appointment with my surgeon. Now I am using scar gel on it. All 3 surgeries were done laparscopicly & with the gel all the scars are fading nicely.
Following my takedown surgery I had five surgical staples
holding the incision site closed. The day I was released
to go home (after four days) the doctor snipped and
removed the staples and then steri stripped it closed.
After four weeks it had healed closed and the steri strips
came off.
I need to add that my surgeon didn't just sew up the ileo and
tuck it back in. She actually went in and did a small resection
and removed the ileo site completely. She said it was much
cleaner this way with less chances down the road of blockages
from scar tissue.
holding the incision site closed. The day I was released
to go home (after four days) the doctor snipped and
removed the staples and then steri stripped it closed.
After four weeks it had healed closed and the steri strips
came off.
I need to add that my surgeon didn't just sew up the ileo and
tuck it back in. She actually went in and did a small resection
and removed the ileo site completely. She said it was much
cleaner this way with less chances down the road of blockages
from scar tissue.
I still have a stitch coming out of me and its been 6 months since my TD
I have told my nurse prac bc I probably wont see my surgeon. I go back next week for my follow up appt. I just want it to heal where I dont need to cover it. I am not sure if its because my immune system is down or what. I have been on an antibiotic for awhile now first right after surgery bc i spiked a fever, 2 weeks later bc of a cyst I had, and now both for the cyst and the fact I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled. I swear I cant catch a break. It is still sore but my great aunt hit me right on the site adn she didnt mean to but it hurt and I have a 4 month old puppy at home that likes to jump and sometimes he surprises you and hes hit it also. I just wonder now if it will ever heal its so frustrating.
Some of us just take longer to heal than others Nikid,...it just is.
If you are really concerned about recieving 'hits' from unsuspecting puppies etc (must be cute!) then I would put an extra layer of covering over it just to 'protect it'...
I wore a pad over it, held down with tight unddies so that I was not constantly putting tape on my body...it gave me good protection and was not too obvious.
It is just a question of patience...when it stops weeping you can just wear the pad for protection and nothing else till you feel secure and it no longer hurts.
Sharon
If you are really concerned about recieving 'hits' from unsuspecting puppies etc (must be cute!) then I would put an extra layer of covering over it just to 'protect it'...
I wore a pad over it, held down with tight unddies so that I was not constantly putting tape on my body...it gave me good protection and was not too obvious.
It is just a question of patience...when it stops weeping you can just wear the pad for protection and nothing else till you feel secure and it no longer hurts.
Sharon
Best wishes at your appointment. Hopefully you get to enjoy some good CC food!
well unfortunately I will be going to clev tomorrow for my appt. what my gyno orginally thought was a cyst she thinks it could be a fistula and now im freaking out. I have to meet with my Nurse pract to see if it is bad enough where my surgeon needs to look at it. which that means going back next week adn being put under for that 
I have been in tears all night
I have been in tears all night
I hope you are in pain you have medication to help. I'm sure they will figure out your problem and have some answers at CC.
Take care
Take care
no I dont have anything for pain. They are very hesitant on giving me anything for pain. I think it is because of my age. But I found out today I go in on Tuesday for Dr Remzi to exam what they think is a fistula. If they can he will put some kind of tube in there thats how i understood it. I did get to see one of my favorite fellow drs and he made me feel better telling me he will also be there. I have all the faith in the world with dr remzi and I know he will make it better for me. It is just frustrating because I have to miss more school, and have to be put under once more. and there always that chance I developed crohns.
I hope it's all good news Tuesday and that whatever he does works!