Discharge Instructions for Ileostomy

During surgery for an ileostomy, a surgeon removes part or all of the colon (large intestine) and part of the last section of the ileum (small intestine) if they are diseased.  The surgeon then creates a surgical opening in the abdominal wall through which a part of your small bowel (ileum) is brought out to create a stoma for the contents of your intestines and mucous to pass out of the body. The surgeon may also disconnect parts of the intestine if they have been injured allowing time for injured intestines to heal.  After a period of time, they are then reconnected.

In other cases, the ileostomy is permanent. The following are general guidelines to follow after your ileostomy surgery. Your healthcare provider and ostomy nurse will go over any information that is specific to your condition.

Activity

Tips for activities include the following: 

• Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds until your healthcare provider says it is okay.
• Do not drive until you speak with your healthcare provider.
• If you ride in a car for long trips make sure you stop often to stretch your legs.
• Ask your healthcare provider about when you can expect to return to work. Most people are able to return to work within 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
• Increase your activity gradually. Take short walks on a level surface.
• Do not overexert yourself to the point of fatigue. If you become tired, rest.

Other home care

Suggestions for home care:

• Take care of your stoma as directed by your ostomy nurse. Your healthcare provider and ostomy nurse should have discussed how to do this with you before you left the hospital.
• Ask your healthcare provider or ostomy nurse for a patient education sheet about ileostomy care before you leave the hospital. This will help remind you how to care for yourself. A wound-ostomy-continence nurse will likely see you before and after surgery for questions and teaching. Let the nurse know if you want a significant other to be present for the education on your ostomy care. 
• Ask your healthcare provider to prescribe medicines to reduce the output from your ostomy if necessary.
• Do not be alarmed by bowel movements that contain mucus. This is common following this procedure. A large amount of gas is normal after surgery and may last 1-2 weeks. Overtime this will decrease.
• Shower or bathe as instructed by your healthcare provider.
• Wash the incision site with soap and water and pat dry.
• Check your incision every day for redness, drainage, swelling or separation of the skin.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you it is safe to do so.
• Speak with your healthcare provider on how much fluid to drink each day 

Discharge Instructions for Ileostomy

During surgery for an ileostomy, a surgeon removes part or all of the colon (large intestine) and part of the last section of the ileum (small intestine) if they are diseased.  The surgeon then creates a surgical opening in the abdominal wall through which a part of your small bowel (ileum) is brought out to create a stoma for the contents of your intestines and mucous to pass out of the body. The surgeon may also disconnect parts of the intestine if they have been injured allowing time for injured intestines to heal.  After a period of time, they are then reconnected.

In other cases, the ileostomy is permanent. The following are general guidelines to follow after your ileostomy surgery. Your healthcare provider and ostomy nurse will go over any information that is specific to your condition.

Activity

Tips for activities include the following: 

• Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds until your healthcare provider says it is okay.
• Do not drive until you speak with your healthcare provider.
• If you ride in a car for long trips make sure you stop often to stretch your legs.
• Ask your healthcare provider about when you can expect to return to work. Most people are able to return to work within 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
• Increase your activity gradually. Take short walks on a level surface.
• Do not overexert yourself to the point of fatigue. If you become tired, rest.

Other home care

Suggestions for home care:

• Take care of your stoma as directed by your ostomy nurse. Your healthcare provider and ostomy nurse should have discussed how to do this with you before you left the hospital.
• Ask your healthcare provider or ostomy nurse for a patient education sheet about ileostomy care before you leave the hospital. This will help remind you how to care for yourself. A wound-ostomy-continence nurse will likely see you before and after surgery for questions and teaching. Let the nurse know if you want a significant other to be present for the education on your ostomy care. 
• Ask your healthcare provider to prescribe medicines to reduce the output from your ostomy if necessary.
• Do not be alarmed by bowel movements that contain mucus. This is common following this procedure. A large amount of gas is normal after surgery and may last 1-2 weeks. Overtime this will decrease.
• Shower or bathe as instructed by your healthcare provider.
• Wash the incision site with soap and water and pat dry.
• Check your incision every day for redness, drainage, swelling or separation of the skin.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you it is safe to do so.
• Speak with your healthcare provider on how much fluid to drink each day 

Discharge Instructions for Ileostomy

During surgery for an ileostomy, a surgeon removes part or all of the colon (large intestine) and part of the last section of the ileum (small intestine) if they are diseased.  The surgeon then creates a surgical opening in the abdominal wall through which a part of your small bowel (ileum) is brought out to create a stoma for the contents of your intestines and mucous to pass out of the body. The surgeon may also disconnect parts of the intestine if they have been injured allowing time for injured intestines to heal.  After a period of time, they are then reconnected.

In other cases, the ileostomy is permanent. The following are general guidelines to follow after your ileostomy surgery. Your healthcare provider and ostomy nurse will go over any information that is specific to your condition.

Activity

Tips for activities include the following: 

• Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds until your healthcare provider says it is okay.
• Do not drive until you speak with your healthcare provider.
• If you ride in a car for long trips make sure you stop often to stretch your legs.
• Ask your healthcare provider about when you can expect to return to work. Most people are able to return to work within 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
• Increase your activity gradually. Take short walks on a level surface.
• Do not overexert yourself to the point of fatigue. If you become tired, rest.

Other home care

Suggestions for home care:

• Take care of your stoma as directed by your ostomy nurse. Your healthcare provider and ostomy nurse should have discussed how to do this with you before you left the hospital.
• Ask your healthcare provider or ostomy nurse for a patient education sheet about ileostomy care before you leave the hospital. This will help remind you how to care for yourself. A wound-ostomy-continence nurse will likely see you before and after surgery for questions and teaching. Let the nurse know if you want a significant other to be present for the education on your ostomy care. 
• Ask your healthcare provider to prescribe medicines to reduce the output from your ostomy if necessary.
• Do not be alarmed by bowel movements that contain mucus. This is common following this procedure. A large amount of gas is normal after surgery and may last 1-2 weeks. Overtime this will decrease.
• Shower or bathe as instructed by your healthcare provider.
• Wash the incision site with soap and water and pat dry.
• Check your incision every day for redness, drainage, swelling or separation of the skin.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you it is safe to do so.
• Speak with your healthcare provider on how much fluid to drink each day