How can family help after stoma surgery?

It is important to remember that undergoing stoma surgery due to a serious life-threatening illness or because of a serious injury is a life changing experience. When you come home from hospital and continue your recovery, it will take some time to settle back into daily life. Your body has undergone a serious change and it is important to allow yourself some time to become accustomed to this. For some, the acceptance of having a stoma comes quickly. For others, it takes time to adjust to this change. Allowing time to accept your stoma at your own pace is an important part of recovery. 

Don't be too hard on yourself, ask your family and friends to help with heavy chores and shopping. It is up to you as to how soon and how much you want to share about your new stoma. Your family and friends will be patient and once you are ready, it is important to talk about the stoma. 

In the early stages, when you are new to changing their pouch, ask your family to give you some space and extra time in the bathroom, that way, you don't feel rushed and can do it at your own pace. Some partners find it a good idea to learn how to change the pouch. This can be useful in an emergency where you cannot do it for yourself. However, if you are able bodied, it is essential you don't rely on someone else to do this as your family or a Stomal Therapy Nurse may not always be around.

For parents of a child with a stoma, it is important that you know how to change their pouch but also to teach them how to change their own.

You may experience a range of different emotions following their surgery. You may feel saddened, hurt, angered and even cheated that this has happened to them. Speaking to your family about your feelings may help with your acceptance of the stoma.