Articles
Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy
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You can eat whatever you want if you have an ostomy
You can participate in sports if you have an ostomy
You can go back to work if you have an ostomy
You can tell — or not tell — whomever you want about your ostomy
You can hide your ostomy
You can wear whatever you want if you have an ostomy
You can go wherever you want if you have an ostomy
You can have sex and intimate relationships if you have an ostomy
Talk to others with ostomies
You can go back to work if you have an ostomy
You'll need time after your surgery to heal and recover, but you can eventually go back to work. You might choose to ease back into work or talk with your employer about a limited schedule until you feel more confident with your ostomy.
If your line of work involves manual labor or lots of lifting, your doctor may recommend ways to protect your stoma on the job.
Once your doctor says you're ready, consider going back to work. If you're nervous about caring for your ostomy at work, talk to your doctor or an ostomy nurse.
Don't let worrying get the best of you. Returning to work is a good way to transition back to a normal routine, and working again can make you feel good about yourself.
