Ostomy Take-Down HF#4921

An ostomy take-down closes the stoma and the skin opening. 

 

Bowel Prep: The Day before Surgery

You will need to do a bowel prep to empty your bowel of food and stool before surgery.  We will discuss this with you in detail.  

 

Wound Care

• It will take at least 10-14 days for your incision to heal.  You can expect that it will be swollen, pink, sore, and may be numb and bruised with some clear pink drainage.  You may have more drainage than you had from your other incisions.  Make sure to change the bandage at least once a day and as needed.
• When it is okay to shower, gently wash it with a mild soap and water.  Pat dry.  Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or go swimming until it is healed.  Do not put lotion, powder, or ointments on the wound.
• Watch for signs of infection:
  • Increased redness or warmth
  • Pus-like drainage
  • Excess swelling or bleeding
  • Temperature (by mouth) above 100.4°F for two readings taken 4 hours apart

 

Activity

• Do not drive for 2 weeks or while you are taking narcotic pain pills.
• For the first 4 weeks, do not lift things that weigh greater than 10 pounds. 
• After 4 weeks, slowly increase your activity.  If you are not sure, check with your doctor.
• Check with your doctor before going back to work.
• Sex may be resumed when you feel ready.

 

Pain Relief

It is normal to have pain after surgery.  Pain pills will be ordered for you.

 

 

Diet    

• Your diet will advance from clear to full liquids, and then a soft to a regular diet as your body can handle it.  
• At first, you will have unformed loose stools often.  This will begin to improve as your diet includes more fiber.  Pain pills may cause constipation.  You can help prevent this by drinking 8-10 (8 oz.) glasses of fluid daily and eating a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and fiber.  Stools will be loose or formed depending on your surgery and the amount of intestine removed.
• If you have problems with bowel movements, call your doctor.

 

Rectal Skin Care

After an ostomy take-down, it is important to prevent rectal skin problems.  You can do this by using baby wipes instead of toilet paper and by using a protective skin ointment such as Vaseline Constant Care^®, Desitin®, Proshield Plus^®, Vaseline^®, A&D ointment^®, zinc oxide, or Calmoseptine^® on the rectal skin area after each stool and before you notice any problem.

 

 

When to Call the Doctor

• Bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rectal skin problems
• Bowel movement problems
• Pain not controlled by pain pills
• Signs of a wound infection:
  • Increased redness or warmth
  • Pus-like drainage
  • Excess swelling or bleeding
  • Temperature greater than 100.4°F by mouth, for 2 readings taken 4 hours apart

 

Phone Numbers

 

Digestive Health Center: (608) 890-5000.

 

After hours, weekends or holidays this number will be answered by the paging operator.  Ask for the doctor on call or ask for Dr. Harms, Heise, Kennedy, or Foley.  Leave your name and phone number with area code. The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, call (855) 342-9900.
 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 04/24/2013

Copyright © 11/21/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4921

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