After an ostomy operation, the patient loses voluntary control over the discharge of the wastes concerned, and he has to wear a special appliance for the collection of this waste. With care and training, the patient learns very soon how to manage it and thus lives a perfectly normal life.
The excreta coming out of the intestinal ostomy is different in color from that one is used to seeing. The effects of various foods and medications are apparent in the excreta. It smells more than the ordinary stool, as unformed stool has more odor. The texture is different and also the volume is more, because it is more of liquid than dry. The noisy stoma that sounds like the grumbling of a hungry stomach is unusual from the normal sounds and may be embarrassing to a new patient.
The patient and his relatives must be informed on all these aspects before the operation, so that they know and are prepared for it.
Immediately after the operation, all care should be extended to the patient by the hospital staff and the relatives. He should learn to do all the management himself so that he develops confidence in himself.