Funny you should mention it… I haven’t looked at this blog in a long time, but just happened to take a “look back” a few days ago as I’m approaching the 3rd anniversary of my surgery! I’m so grateful to report that I’ve been cancer-free, healthy, and have had no problems with my colostomy/stoma. (No more prolapse either!). I feel very blessed.

I’m also glad to know that my brand of humor about this subject has helped a few folks smile, but I’m sure aware that it’s no laughing matter for many. Thanks for your comment — and I’ll keep a good thought for you that you’ll have no more prolapse problems!

All the best,
~Karen

I’m so glad these posts and comments have been helpful for you (and others!). I’ve been fortunate enough to not have continued problems with prolapse, so — perhaps — you might not be in for more surprises! If, by chance, you do have more issues with it, I’d definitely get to the surgeon sooner than later to see what can be done. The only other thing I can add in the way of possible prevention is to not strain your abdominal muscles by lifting heavy things. I think, for some of us, treating this a bit like a hernia and protecting yourself from stressing the area of the stoma can help.

All the best to you!
- Karen

Apply sugar repeatedly while lying down, and as it gets wet replace it with new sugar. Do this for upwards of an hour while also gently pushing the stoma back in and it should work.

To restrain the stoma from further prolapsing, wear a rib belt (available at medical supply stores) or a prolapse belt with a flap to cover the stoma available from Nu-Hope.com.

Over the course of the next year the prolapsing got worse and eventually prolapsed out as much as 12 inches. This was an everyday occurrence and I got used to dealing with it but it was extremely frustrating at times changing pouches. It would also get pretty uncomfortable when it was completely out giving me what felt like a really dull tummy ache.

I ended up going to the Cleveland Clinic for corrective surgery when my surgeon finally saw how bad it was. I was told that it was the worst they’d seen which made me feel better knowing that maybe not many people had to deal with what I did. The surgeon who performed the corrective surgery did it very well and the stoma was completely flush with my belly which made pouch swapping a breeze.

Unfortunately over the last couple of months its begun to prolapse again but its not nearly as bad as before but it can cause me issues when replacing the pouch. Usually when I wake up in the morning, its flush from laying down all night so I immediately go to replace it before it begins to “roll” out.

It’s a big pain in the butt to deal with and I have found little information about how to deal with it other than a blog where someone says that they sprinkle brown sugar on their stoma and it reacts by rolling back in. I never tried because I generally don’t keep sugar in the bathroom but who knows, right?

Dionne

Thanks so much for your words. It’s been just over a year since my surgery and I’ve learned sooo much more about living with an ostomy! I think it may be time for an updated version of this post – some of the info is a little outdated already! But, still, I’m glad to have been able to help anyone who’s in need of info on ostomies and stomas. Check back again soon – I’ll try to get a follow-up post done. Best of luck to you in your training too!

-Karen