How long does an ileostomy last

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What Is an Ileostomy? Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Reasons Preparation Procedure Recovery Risks Outlook Ileostomy An ileostomy is a surgically made opening that connects your ileum to your abdominal wall.

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Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. Ulcerative Colitis Treatment Not Working? Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD. What Is Ulcerative Colitis? Instead, pick foods that promote good digestion and thicken stool , such as bananas, apple sauce, cheese, and pasta.

Because a portion of your intestine that would absorb water has been removed, drink plenty of water to stay properly hydrated. As you heal, you can add more foods to your diet and note which ones cause any digestive problems. Strenuous workouts that involve weight lifting, jogging, or bike riding are not recommended in the early days of your recovery.

Your doctor will tell you when you can resume your full exercise routine. In the meantime, a daily walk helps the healing process by promoting blood flow. When you do return to your previous workout regimen, you may want to wear protective gear around the stoma to prevent injury. Your stoma nurse will instruct you on how to attach and change your pouching system.

As you care for your stoma, watch for any changes along the skin surrounding the opening. If you notice any inflammation, contact your healthcare team for advice on products to heal the irritation. As for any unpleasant smells, many pouches are made with filters that eliminate odors.

Stool then exits through this opening instead of leaving the rectum. Some people have permanent ileostomies, but others may be eligible for an ileostomy reversal. Colorectal cancer and abdominal trauma are two reasons why a surgeon might create an ileostomy. The ileostomy reduces the risk of bowel leakage into the abdominal cavity, which is potentially life threatening, following surgery.

This article describes the ileostomy reversal procedure in more detail, including the possible complications and some recovery tips that may help a person after the surgery. An ileostomy reversal procedure usually takes about 40 minutes and involves the following steps:. A surgeon should discuss the expected approach with the person before surgery and provide them with information on the likely recovery time and possible complications. Learn what happens during an ileostomy here. The timing of an ileostomy reversal post-surgery can depend on several factors.

These may include:. However, the study did not find an increased incidence of complications in people with early stoma closure compared with those with late stoma closure.

A study reported increased complication rates among people who had a gap of more than 6 months between their initial surgery and ileostomy reversal. Complications that a person may experience after ileostomy reversal surgery include :. A person should contact their doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms, which can indicate leaks, obstructions, or infection. Symptoms that may suggest a leak or obstruction include :. Sometimes, the fluid in the abdomen can become infected.

A person should call their doctor after surgery if they experience any of the following symptoms:. After ileostomy reversal surgery, a person will wait for the surgical incision and ileostomy closure site to heal. Ileostomy reversal surgery usually has a shorter recovery time than the surgery that created the ileostomy. However, a person may need to spend 3—4 days in the hospital. A person should be aware that it will take time after surgery for their usual bowel movements to return.

At first, a person will have frequent, often small bowel movements and pass gas.