The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Center at Valley provides comprehensive pre- and post-surgical ostomy education and instruction for patients and their caregivers. Our team assists patients in caring for and maintaining their ostomy throughout their lifetime to ensure comfort and to prevent complications.
What is an Ostomy?
An ostomy is a surgical procedure that helps your body remove waste (urine and feces) when you have damage or surgery to your digestive or urinary system. Waste drains from inside your body to the outside through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma, which then collects in an ostomy pouch.
Types of Ostomies
- Colostomy: Connects large intestine (colon) to the outside of the abdomen
- Ileostomy: Connects small intestine to the outside of the abdomen
- Urostomy or Ileal Conduit: Connects the ureters to the outside of your abdomen, carrying urine from your kidneys
An ostomy may be temporary or permanent, depending on your specific needs. Some conditions that require an ostomy include:
- Bladder, colon, or rectal cancer
- Bowel obstruction
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
Ostomy Services at Valley
Our ostomy care nurses provide comprehensive care, education, and support that includes:
- Complication prevention and management
- Parastomal hernia belt assessment and ordering
- Peristomal skin irritation
- Fitting for appropriate ostomy supplies
- Pre-operative and post-operative education and instruction
- Pre-operative stoma site marking
- Support group referrals
After your ostomy surgery, your nurse will show you how to empty and change your ostomy appliance. Your nurse will also tell you how often you will need to change your ostomy appliance and how to keep the area clean. It is important that patients inspect the area daily for any changes in size, color, or shape.
