Stoma After Ileostomy or Colostomy in Grand Rapids, MI

When certain bowel diseases or injuries occur, such as colorectal cancer or severe inflammatory bowel disease, surgeons may need to remove part of the intestine. To allow stool (feces) to leave the body, the bowel can be rerouted through an opening created in the abdomen.

In Grand Rapids, ileostomy and colostomy surgeries are commonly performed at major hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. Local specialists work closely with ostomy nurses (stoma therapists) to support patients before and after surgery.

What Is a Stoma?

A stoma is the surgically created opening in the abdomen where the bowel is brought through the abdominal wall so that waste can exit the body into an external pouch.

  • Colostomy – connects the colon (large intestine) to the abdominal wall.
  • Ileostomy – connects the last part of the small intestine (ileum) to the abdominal wall.

A stoma may be:

  • Permanent – often for bowel cancer, severe injury, or when the rectum must be removed.
  • Temporary – to allow the bowel to rest and heal after conditions such as infection, inflammation, or traumatic injury.

Conditions That May Require an Ileostomy or Colostomy

Common reasons for these procedures include:

  • Bowel cancer or colorectal cancer
  • Severe bowel injury (for example, from a car accident or stab wound)
  • Bowel infections
  • Bowel inflammation (such as severe diverticulitis)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Blocked bowel (bowel obstruction)
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (a precancerous condition)

Residents in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan region often work with gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons at local health systems for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Before Stoma Surgery in Grand Rapids

Before your ileostomy or colostomy, your surgeon and care team will review:

  • Your medical history and previous surgeries
  • All medications, including:
    • Prescription drugs
    • Over-the-counter medicines
    • Vitamins and minerals
    • Herbal supplements
  • Your concerns about:
    • Body image
    • Cleanliness and hygiene
    • Sexuality and relationships
    • Returning to work or school in Grand Rapids

You may also meet with a stoma nurse (stomatherapist) at a Grand Rapids hospital or outpatient clinic to discuss stoma location, pouching systems, and lifestyle changes.

How Colostomy and Ileostomy Surgery Is Performed

Shared Surgical Steps

For both colostomy and ileostomy, the surgical process is similar:

  • Except in emergencies, your bowel is prepared by:
    • Following a clear liquid diet for a period of time before surgery
    • Taking a bowel cleansing preparation
    • Receiving antibiotic medications to reduce infection risk
  • You are given a general anesthetic, so you are asleep and feel no pain.
  • The surgeon marks the point on your abdomen where the stoma will be placed.
    • A common location is the lower right-hand side of the abdomen, but this may vary based on your body shape, clothing style, and medical needs.

Opening the Abdomen and Creating the Stoma

  1. The surgeon opens the abdomen through a larger incision or uses a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach, depending on your case.
  2. The diseased portion of bowel is removed.
  3. A healthy end of the bowel is brought out through a small opening in the abdominal wall to form the stoma.
  4. The bowel is sewn to the skin around the stoma.
  5. A plastic ostomy bag is attached over the stoma to collect waste.
  6. The larger abdominal incision is closed with stitches or staples.

In Grand Rapids, these surgeries are typically performed by board-certified colorectal or general surgeons at major hospital systems, with access to advanced imaging and minimally invasive techniques.

Immediately After Ileostomy or Colostomy Surgery

After surgery, you will stay in a Grand Rapids hospital for close monitoring.

You can generally expect:

  • An intravenous (IV) line in your arm for fluids, medications, and sometimes nutrition
  • A small tube (nasogastric tube) going through your nose into your stomach to remove stomach contents and allow your intestines to rest
  • A dressing over your surgical wound, changed frequently to keep the area clean and prevent infection
  • Pain control, often through IV medications initially

Starting to Move and Eat Again

  • Once your bowel begins to wake up and the nasogastric tube is removed, you will start on a light or clear diet.
  • Nurses and physical therapists will encourage you to get out of bed and walk, which:
    • Helps prevent blood clots
    • Reduces the risk of pneumonia
    • Supports bowel function

When the Stoma Starts Working

  • Within a few days, you will begin to pass stool through your stoma.
  • A lightweight ostomy bag will be in place to collect the stool.
  • At first, nurses or a stoma therapist will change the bag and teach you:
    • How to empty and change the pouch
    • How to clean the skin around your stoma
    • How to check for irritation or leaks

Your sutures or staples may be removed about 5–6 days after surgery, depending on healing.

Bathing and Personal Hygiene

  • After a few days, and if your wound is healing well, you may be able to bathe with a bag over the stoma.
  • Once the main incision has healed, you may bathe or shower without covering the stoma. Water will not harm the stoma itself.

In Michigan’s colder months, many Grand Rapids patients prefer shorter, warmer showers and gentle drying of the skin to avoid irritation and dryness.

Hospital Stay in Grand Rapids

Most people:

  • Spend about one week in the hospital, though this varies based on:
    • Your overall health
    • Type of surgery
    • Any complications
  • Are discharged with:
    • Detailed ostomy care instructions
    • A supply of ostomy bags and skin care products
    • Follow-up appointments with:
      • Your surgeon
      • A stoma nurse
      • Possibly your primary care provider in the Grand Rapids area

Possible Complications of Colostomy or Ileostomy

Your surgeon will discuss the risks and potential complications, which may include:

  • Excessive bleeding (haemorrhage)
  • Infection of the wound or inside the abdomen
  • Allergic reaction to medications or anesthesia
  • A portion of bowel protruding through the stoma (incisional or parastomal hernia)
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration (especially with ileostomies, which produce more liquid stool)
  • Narrowing of the stoma opening
  • Difficulty passing stool through the stoma into the bag
  • Blockage of the stoma due to scar tissue or impacted stool
  • Skin irritation or rashes around the stoma from contact with stool
  • Kidney stones or gallstones

Because West Michigan winters can be dry and people may drink less water, dehydration risk can be higher—particularly for those with an ileostomy. Your Grand Rapids healthcare team will emphasize adequate fluid intake year-round.

Taking Care of Your Stoma at Home in Grand Rapids

Working With a Stoma Therapist

A stoma therapist (ostomy nurse)—available through many Grand Rapids hospitals and specialty clinics—will guide you on:

  • Different types of colostomy and ileostomy bags
  • Skin sealants, barriers, and powders to protect your skin
  • How to measure and fit your pouch correctly
  • How to manage your stoma during:
    • Work or school
    • Outdoor activities in West Michigan (walking, biking, winter sports)
    • Travel around the Great Lakes region

Keeping the Skin Around the Stoma Clean

It is essential to keep the skin around your stoma scrupulously clean:

  • Gently remove the used pouch.
  • Clean the skin with warm water and a soft cloth or gauze (mild, fragrance-free soap only if recommended).
  • Pat the skin completely dry before applying a new pouch.
  • Check for:
    • Redness
    • Itching
    • Sores or broken skin

If you notice ongoing irritation, contact your stoma nurse or Grand Rapids healthcare provider.

Irrigating the Stoma

In some cases, particularly with certain colostomies, your provider may recommend occasional irrigation (flushing the stoma with water) to help:

  • Prevent constipation
  • Regulate bowel movements

Only irrigate if you have been specifically instructed and trained by your stoma therapist or surgeon.

Managing Gas and Odor

Diet and daily habits can affect gas and odor from your stoma. To reduce gas and odor:

  • Eat small, frequent meals instead of large ones.
  • Limit foods known to cause gas, such as:
    • Cabbage
    • Onions
    • Beans
    • Carbonated or fizzy drinks
  • Avoid activities that cause you to swallow extra air:
    • Chewing gum
    • Drinking through a straw
    • Smoking

To reduce odor:

  • Ask your provider about charcoal tablets or anti-gas (anti-flatulent) preparations.
  • Limit foods with strong odors, such as:
    • Onions
    • Fish
    • Eggs
    • Certain cheeses
    • Asparagus

Many modern ostomy pouches used in Grand Rapids clinics have built-in filters to help control odor.

Diet After Ileostomy or Colostomy Surgery

Early Recovery (First 1–2 Months)

To reduce strain on your bowel and stoma while healing:

  • Follow a low-residue (low-fiber) diet, as recommended by your provider.
  • Avoid foods that are hard to digest or may cause blockage, such as:
    • Popcorn
    • Nuts and seeds (including celery seeds)
    • Tough raw vegetables
    • Fruit peels and corn

Long-Term Diet

Once you are fully recovered—usually around three months after surgery—most people:

  • Can return to a normal, balanced diet
  • Have no strict dietary restrictions, unless advised otherwise for conditions like Crohn’s disease or kidney problems

In Grand Rapids, where seasonal produce changes throughout the year, a dietitian from a local health system can help you safely reintroduce:

  • Fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • High-fiber foods

Always increase fiber and new foods gradually and drink plenty of fluids, especially during hot summers or indoor heating in winter.

Temporary vs. Permanent Stoma

Temporary Stoma

If your stoma is temporary:

  • A second surgery will be scheduled later to reconnect your bowel, allowing stool to pass through the anus again.
  • Timing depends on:
    • How well your bowel heals
    • Your overall health
    • Your underlying condition

Permanent Stoma

If your stoma is permanent:

  • It is often checked about three weeks after surgery (or once swelling has gone down) to ensure:
    • The stoma has the proper size and shape
    • Your pouch fits well and does not leak

Your Grand Rapids care team will arrange regular follow-up visits to monitor long-term health.

Living With a Stoma in Grand Rapids

Stoma Bag Changes

  • The ostomy bag must be emptied and changed regularly.
  • People with a stoma do not have voluntary control over bowel movements.
  • Stool may be thin and watery, especially with an ileostomy.

Your stoma nurse will help you learn a schedule that fits your lifestyle, including work, school, or caring for family in the Grand Rapids area.

Emotional and Social Support

Adjusting to a stoma can affect:

  • Body image
  • Clothing choices
  • Sexuality and intimacy
  • Self-confidence

Many people benefit from:

  • Local support groups in West Michigan
  • National ostomy organizations
  • Counseling or therapy, available through Grand Rapids clinics and mental health providers

These groups and professionals can offer practical advice on:

  • Clothing styles that conceal the pouch
  • Returning to exercise and hobbies (including Michigan outdoor activities)
  • Talking with partners, family, and friends

Other Surgical Options for Diseased Bowel

In some cases, alternatives to a traditional external stoma may be possible:

Continent Ileostomy (Kock Pouch)

  • An internal waste reservoir is created from a section of healthy bowel.
  • Stool collects in this internal pouch rather than in an external bag.
  • You drain the reservoir several times a day using a special catheter (tube).

Pull-Through Operation (Ileoanal Pouch)

  • The diseased portion of bowel is removed.
  • An artificial rectum (pouch) is created from the lowest part of the small intestine (ileum).
  • The ileum is attached directly to the anus, allowing stool to pass through the anus in a more typical way.

These options are not suitable for everyone, especially some patients with:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • Rectal cancer
  • Certain other bowel conditions

A colorectal surgeon in Grand Rapids can explain which surgical options are safe and appropriate for your specific diagnosis.

Long-Term Outlook After Ileostomy or Colostomy

With proper care and support, most people in Grand Rapids with a stoma:

  • Return to work, school, and family life
  • Participate in exercise and outdoor activities year-round
  • Travel throughout Michigan and beyond with minor adjustments

Key to long-term success:

  • Regular follow-up with your GP or primary care provider
  • Ongoing access to a stoma nurse
  • Good skin care and pouching techniques
  • Healthy diet and hydration, tailored to Michigan’s changing seasons

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are preparing for or living with an ileostomy or colostomy in the Grand Rapids area, support is available from:

  • Your GP or primary care doctor
  • Colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities
  • Stoma/ostomy nurses at local hospitals and wound care clinics
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for general health resources and referrals
  • National and regional support organizations, such as:
    • American Council of Stoma Associations (ACSA)
    • Young Ostomy United (YOU)
    • Local ostomy support groups that meet in West Michigan

Key Points to Remember

  • A common stoma location is the lower right-hand side of the abdomen, but it is individualized.
  • It is crucial to keep the skin around the stoma scrupulously clean to prevent irritation and infection.
  • You may need to irrigate the stoma with water occasionally, but only if instructed by your healthcare team.
  • Support groups and stoma associations can help with clothing concerns, body image, sexuality, and emotional adjustment.
  • Grand Rapids offers strong local medical and community resources to help you live well with an ileostomy or colostomy.