About
One of the hardest psychological challenges for an ostomate is to start inching closer to the state of self-acceptance. An ostomate who fails to adapt to the new circumstances faces the risk of developing several mental and physical health problems.
Adapting to the transitional phase to learn about and manage an altered body is easier said than done. However, positive thinking can transform this challenge into convenience.
Stress and depression that arise soon after the surgery is a normal feeling that an ostomate develops. But it is not wise to see this immediate feeling translating into a psychological disorder. That's the reason the ostomy care teams need to assist and support both the patients and their family members during this initial phase in a very systematic manner.
An ostomy can affect the following aspects of life.
A few things that a person should keep into consideration before and after the ostomy surgery are worth describing here.
Stress and depression that arise soon after the surgery is a normal feeling that an ostomate develops. But it is not wise to see this immediate feeling translating into a psychological disorder. That's the reason the ostomy care teams need to assist and support both the patients and their family members during this initial phase in a very systematic manner.
An ostomy can affect the following aspects of life.
- Mental health
- Social Life
- Economic activities
- Independence
- Spirituality
- Family life
A few things that a person should keep into consideration before and after the ostomy surgery are worth describing here.
Before Surgery
A person must understand why he/she needs to undergo ostomy surgery. That person should seek answers to the following questions.
A person must understand why he/she needs to undergo ostomy surgery. That person should seek answers to the following questions.
- Why is ostomy surgery necessary for me?
- What is the procedure involved in the surgery?
- What will be the potential changes in the abdomen's appearance?
- Is it going to be permanent or temporary ostomy?
After Surgery
The life after ostomy surgery is a challenging phase for ostomates. At this time, it is easy for them to develop feelings of anguish, low self-esteem, self-doubt, fear, and embarrassment. Being courageous enough to resist such feelings and breaking the shackles to come out in public with confidence is indeed appreciable. But we cannot expect everyone to be this much courageous. While new ostomates should not lose hope and courage, it is an equal responsibility of others around them to give them the support they need. And for that purpose, the people close to an ostomate must learn at least the basics of ostomy.
Ostomy care nurses must work on the following measures to ensure necessary support to a new ostomate.
The life after ostomy surgery is a challenging phase for ostomates. At this time, it is easy for them to develop feelings of anguish, low self-esteem, self-doubt, fear, and embarrassment. Being courageous enough to resist such feelings and breaking the shackles to come out in public with confidence is indeed appreciable. But we cannot expect everyone to be this much courageous. While new ostomates should not lose hope and courage, it is an equal responsibility of others around them to give them the support they need. And for that purpose, the people close to an ostomate must learn at least the basics of ostomy.
Ostomy care nurses must work on the following measures to ensure necessary support to a new ostomate.
- Visiting the patient more often and restoring their dignity
- Giving them emotional support
- Helping them consider their ostomy as a part of their lives
- Encouraging them to express their feelings
- Telling them that they can return resume their healthy and active life
Learning to live with a stoma
An ostomate may take a few weeks or months to adapt to the new changes after ostomy surgery. This initial phase is more like a learning curve in which the patient needs to figure out the right way to live a healthy life with a stoma. While ostomy care staff will be proactive enough to take care of the patient without anyone asking, the patient must also reach out to the nursing staff immediately after encountering a problem.