I've had an Ileostomy for almost 14 years (for those of you who don't know what that is, think colostomy bag). When I had it done I was morbidly obese (almost 22st) and I had a large but smooth stomach. After a couple of years, I developed a parastomal hernia almost directly under my stoma. I had a few leaks but managed to find alternative medical appliances to use which solved the problem. In August 2014, I had gastric surgery to enable me to lose weight. I lost approx 9st and although my stomach shrank and became baggy, the hernia kept the area beneath the stoma smooth so no further leaks occured. Then, in July 2015, my hernia strangulated and I had to have emergency surgery. The Surgeons fixed the hernia which caused my stomach to deflate beneath the stoma and I began to have leakage problems. Since July my life has been very stressful because I am having on average between 1-4 leaks a day. My husband has been sleeping on the sofa because I have leaked fecal matter on him. I've leaked in the supermarket, out with friends, during the night, in a club etc, etc. When I say leak, I'm talking anything between a slight leak to a full on leak which comes through my knickers, jeans, top and all over the inside of my coat. I leaked at my brothers dinner table and once, rushed to my friends bathroom but leaked all up her stair carpet. I've seen a general surgeon, stoma nurses and my GP and they've all said the same thing, that re-sighting the stoma won't fix the problem and the only solution is to create a smoother, flatter stomach. But this means asking for a tummy tuck or apronectomy which is classed as plastic surgery. I am seeing an NHS plastic surgeon on Monday and I am going to have to beg and plead for this surgery and because of the funding issues etc, there is little chance I can have it. AIBU to think I should be eligible for this surgery without having to beg for it? I pay my stamp and I'm not asking for it for cosmetic reasons. My life is a misery and my skin is very sore because of constant leaks. What do you think? (please be gentle, as I'm feeling rather stressed and vulnerable at the moment).
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