Care Life with a stoma isn t always straighforward. Find your way with Coloplast Care.

Transcription

1 Coloplast Care Life with a stoma isn t always straighforward. Find your way with Coloplast Care. Part 3 9 to 5 How to prepare for going back to work Warm up exercise How to ease yourself back into fitness Social networks Who to turn to for advice, help and support

2 A warm welcome back It s been a few months now since your surgery, and we all hope you are starting to feel more confident and have settled into a good routine. If you are having further medical treatment, you will still need to take things gently. For others, it can be the start of feeling stronger and looking forward to getting back to work or to taking up some exercise again. Everyone is different, and there s no time limit on how long you take to adjust. In this final edition of our Coloplast Care magazine, we share tips and ideas on how to get back to doing the things you used to do. We take a look at getting back to work, feeling confident and comfortable in your clothes, and taking some gentle exercise. We also share details of ostomy support networks both in face-to-face settings and in the online world. We also want to introduce you to Thaila Skye who is working with us on a series of videos exploring life with an ostomy. Above all, we wish you well with your continued recovery. Please remember our experienced team of specialists are always available to help and guide you with any aspect of your new life. You can telephone or us anytime. Helen Farmer Coloplast Care Manager The Coloplast Care team are waiting for your call, Monday - Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Your fi rst days back to work Do a couple of trial runs where you dress and plan your day as if you were going to work Melanie, Coloplast Care Having stoma surgery will not prevent you from returning to work, but when and how you do this really depends on how you feel, the type of work you do, and the stoma operation you ve had. In the first instance, talk to your employer and discuss your options as soon as possible. It may be possible to return to work part-time or adjust your hours. This could be particularly helpful when you first go back as you may still feel tired and need time to get used to new routines. A few weeks before you go back, do a couple of trial runs where you dress and plan your day as if you were going to work. Think about your diet and when and how many times a day you may need to change or empty your pouch. This will help you to establish routines and plan your day accordingly. Most importantly, it will make you feel prepared. Checklist Discuss and check with your employer any available changing facilities at work Pack a small changing bag that you can take discreetly to the bathroom with a spare set of clothes and replacement baseplates and pouches If your company provides healthcare insurance, check whether your condition affects the policy Avoid jobs that involve lifting see the article Brace yourself When you do start going back to work, it s about taking things gradually and establishing a new routine to your working day that suits your new circumstances. Going back to work is a huge accomplishment and you should feel really proud of yourself. Physically and emotionally you are likely to feel tired. So try not to overdo it, listen to your body and where possible, build up your workload gently. coloplastcare@coloplast.com

3 The confidence of a confidante While no-one has a right to know the ins and outs of your ostomy surgery, it can be good to make some people aware. At work, it s usually advisable to ensure that at least one person knows you have a stoma. This can be your boss, someone in HR, or maybe just a close working colleague or someone you trust. Then, if there are any problems or issues, you ll have someone to talk to. The most important thing is that you re comfortable with your decision. In your social life, it is your choice as to whether you say anything about your surgery. If you choose to be more open, you might begin by explaining the reason for your surgery, then mention that, as a result of the surgery, you have a different way of going to the toilet. Remember there is no shame in having a stoma. Many people are living with an ostomy, whether they choose to do so privately or publicly. It s entirely your choice on what you share. Feeling confident in your clothes There s no need to noticeably change your look, but some small updates to your outfits might help you feel more comfortable and confident. Don t be surprised if your body shape has changed. Some people gain weight and some lose again it s very much down to the individual. The clothes you wear will depend on how your body has changed and where your stoma has been sited. It s always worth trying on your current clothes first to see how they feel and to help you to decide on whether you need a few new additions. If your stoma is near your waist, avoid clothes that are too tight over your stoma. You may feel more comfortable wearing trousers or skirts with a high or elasticated waistband. Trousers or skirts with pleats near the waistband may hide the pouch better than those with a flat front. If you wear your trousers or skirt below the waistline, you may find that your pouch sits above the belt line of your garment. A smaller capacity pouch will be a bit shorter, so it could be an option if you wear jeans or trousers that sit lower on the hips just know that the smaller pouch will need to be emptied more often. Men may prefer to wear braces, especially if you find belts uncomfortable or restrictive. Another option is to wear an item of clothing over your trousers, such as a tunic, waistcoat, jumper or jacket. Dresses, tunics and cardigans over tights or leggings are a good option for ladies, as there are so many styles and patterns to choose from. Those that are gathered at one side, or dresses with a fuller skirt, may help to disguise the pouch. Materials that stretch with your body are always a great option. Supportive underwear can also make you feel more confident. There is a wide range of light support underwear available, many of which can be found on the high street. The choices vary from basic high waisted briefs and knickers to fine lingerie for women. High compression support belts are also available these will provide extra support and are particularly important if your work is physical. Many builders and tradesmen wear them daily to help support their abdomen, and these are available on prescription. See the Brace Yourself article for a supplier. Check out the Thaila Skye videos for further clothing tips. See back page for details.

4 Gently, gently When you re feeling better in yourself, it might be tempting to throw yourself back into your old exercise regime; but as any personal trainer will tell you, it s better to build things up slowly, and get a little stronger day by day. After six weeks you can start to exercise gently, however, it is always worth speaking to your Stoma Care Nurse for guidance on how much to do, and what support you might need. That said, the benefits of exercising generally far outweigh doing nothing at all. Your recovery will accelerate with better circulation, improved posture, loss of weight and more stamina. Most importantly of all, exercise is a great stress reliever and gives a strong sense of wellbeing. Swimming is a good way to get moving again. With your weight supported by the water, swimming gives your muscles a workout with minimal risk of injury. Don t avoid the pool, thinking that others will know about your stoma, or worry about your pouch getting wet. All stoma pouches are waterproof and most people will never notice. See the Joy of Lycra article for more guidance. Biking can be an excellent option since it s a lowimpact exercise that doesn t put too much strain on your abdomen. If you have a perineal wound (surgery to remove the anus), you ll need to wait longer to begin, to allow this area to heal. Sitting on a bike seat too soon will be uncomfortable and may cause injury. Yoga is another good option, since it reduces stress, strengthens muscles and improves balance. Yoga can be done anywhere at home or in a class and can be done in a standing or sitting position. It s also an exercise that does not strain the heart. Even running is fine if your Stoma Care Nurse says so. Be sure to drink enough fluids to replace what you lose through sweating isotonic drinks (for example, Lucozade Sport) are great. If you go to the gym meet with a personal trainer for a programme to build you up. If any injuries occur that are of concern, contact your doctor or Stoma Care Nurse. Brace yourself With the risk of hernia ever present, it s worth taking it especially easy on your abdomen to begin with. Straight after surgery and until your abdomen is fully healed, strenuous activity can put you at a risk of developing a hernia. And remember we re not just talking about lifting weights at the gym here gardening, DIY, pushing a heavy shopping trolley, and even walking a headstrong dog can all put a strain on you, so be careful not to overstretch the pelvic area. After six weeks or so, your Stoma Care Nurse may advise you to wear a support garment or Lycra clothing to support your pouch and abdomen, but many ostomates tell us they don t need to wear these. However, be guided by your Stoma Care Nurse.

5 Give yourself a little lift You don t want to be worrying about your pouch in the middle of a swim, workout or game of golf. Happily there are steps you can take to keep yourself secure. The first step is to ensure your surgeon or doctor gives you the go ahead to start participating in exercise and sports. When you do get the okay, make sure your pouch is empty before starting any exercise. Some people also wear firmly fitted waistbands or girdles to keep their pouch securely in place. These can also be worn in the swimming pool to maintain extra support. One recommended supplier is AMI Medical Ltd. Their range is called Suportx and is available online at or call Contact sports like rugby, football or karate may require a hard plastic stoma protector to be worn. Many of these are available on prescription. The joy of Lycra Modern sportswear means we can all get active without feeling self-conscious. Indeed there s a lot of flexible and comfortable garments out there, especially adapted for your needs. For active wear, consider cycling shorts. They can be worn alone or layered under shorts, exercise trousers or swimming trunks for added security. Yoga trousers with a stretchy waistband or leggings are also a great option to help support the pouch during exercise. When swimming, women may want to choose a swimsuit that has a lining to provide a smoother profile, and those with a panel across the stomach may provide extra support and confidence. Tankinis are also a good option because they have a longer top for greater discretion. Many swimsuits also come with skirts, and ruched panels to the front. A sarong is also good for covering up. Men have several options too. For instance, trunks with a drawstring offer an adjustable waistband. Bermuda style shorts offer a higher waistband, which will help to cover the pouch completely. If the stoma is above your belt line, consider wearing trunks with a vest type t-shirt.

6 A very social bunch Confidence and reassurance are key to how you continue to approach life in the months and years following surgery. Tom, Coloplast Care As you get better each day, you might need less regular medical support, but that doesn t have to mean you lose the emotional support too. There s loads of help, advice and groups out there who ll make you feel very welcome. Many people find it helpful to go to support group meetings or join a forum, Facebook group or follow people on Twitter. Whether you meet or chat often or just once in a while, it can be a good chance to learn more and to connect with others who have the same questions you do. You might well find you re not the only one who s wondering about certain issues: that question in the back of your mind isn t odd after all. And answers to questions that never occurred to you could prove really useful. It s up to you how involved you become. Some people like the anonymity of the web. Some people find it reassuring to go to a few meetings in person, but it isn t something they decide to do on a regular basis. Others find that talking to others regularly about stoma issues is very helpful. They enjoy both the learning and the social life it gives them. Confidence and reassurance are key to how you continue to approach life in the months and years following surgery. Support groups can be an important part of regaining that confidence. From there you may even decide that you want to help others too. Your Stoma Care Nurse may have good suggestions on how and where you could help. Another good resource are the national organisations. They can help you connect with others or direct you to a local group meeting. Some people also choose to become a Certified Trained Visitor, those who volunteer to talk to people who ve recently had a stoma operation, either while they re in the hospital or during their recovery at home. Remember, too, that your Coloplast Care Team are here to help if ever you need further assistance. Call us on , Monday Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Or us on coloplastcare@coloplast.com.

7 In touch with all the right people On social media and beyond, there are all sorts of organisations and groups who are there to help you when you need it. Meeting and connecting with others who are going through or have been through ostomy surgery can be a reassuring source of support. Ostomy support groups Colostomy Association Tel: Helpline: The Urostomy Association Tel: The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group (IA) Tel: Online ostomy sites and forums Stomawise Living with a Stoma Ostomy Lifestyle Ostomyland Cancer support groups and associations Macmillan Cancer Relief Tel: Helpline: Cancer Research UK Tel: Beating Bowel Cancer Tel: Bowel Cancer UK Tel: Fight Bladder Cancer Crohn s and Colitis support groups Crohn s & Colitis UK Tel: or

8 In 2009, I was diagnosed with Crohn s Disease. By 2010 it had got so bad that I had to have ostomy surgery. In 2011, I started to make YouTube videos about my life with an ostomy... Thaila Skye Coloplast has teamed up with YouTube Vlogger and Ostomate, Thaila Skye, to bring you an exclusive series of videos exploring the world of intimate healthcare. Thaila explores life with an ostomy, providing hints and tips to make you get the most out of life with a stoma. Visit to watch the Thaila Video series. How to place an order with Charter Healthcare Call If calling from a mobile: Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm. Saturday 9am pm. Scotland office: Order online Once registered, your entire order history is kept for you online, so repeating your order takes just a click. Or order by post Simply use the order form on the letter that accompanies this magazine. We re social Search for Coloplast UK and Charter Healthcare CL605N