High Quality Ileostomy Surgery Options

Ileostomy surgery at low cost and high quality is now within reach through WorldMed Assist. Our nurses arrange all aspects of your treatment and will act as your patient advocate. We have partnerships with some of the best hospitals in the US and abroad: hospitals that are accredited (JCAHO/ Joint Commission International) and, if the hospitals are outside the US, have strategic relationships with renowned US medical institutions such as Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical.

Anadolu Medical Center in Turkey

Most importantly, we provide you with a personal touch from start until well after your return home.

Options for quality ileostomy include:

• Ileostomy in the U.S.
• Ileostomy in Mexico
• Ileostomy in Costa Rica
• Ileostomy in Turkey
• Ileostomy in India

We also provide information on costs:

• Cost of Ileostomy Surgery

What is an ileostomy?

The ileum is the lower section of the small bowel.  It connects to the large bowel.  If a portion of the large bowel has to be removed due to bowel disease, ileostomy surgery is performed.

An ileostomy creates an opening in the ileum to allow waste elimination. An ileostomy can be either temporary or permanent. Medical conditions, which may cause the necessity for an ileostomy, are:

• Severe inflammatory bowel disease
• Bowel injuries
• Bowel obstruction
• Bowel cancer
• Bowel infections

Ileostomy surgery

An ileostomy procedure is performed under general anesthetic.  An opening in the side of your abdomen will be created by the surgeon.  This is called a “stoma”.  Usually the stoma is on your right lower abdomen. The surgeon will remove the portion of the bowel that is causing your medical condition. For a traditional ileostomy, a section of the ileum is then extracted through the opening and sutured to your abdominal skin.  An adhesive plastic bag is placed on the abdomen over the stoma for waste evacuation.

With a traditional ileostomy, bowel contents continuously drain into the ileostomy bag.  With a continent ileostomy, there is no waste bag.  Instead, an internal pouch made from intestinal tissue is created and attached to the abdominal wall.  Waste contents to do not continuously drain.  In this case, the pouch is emptied with a narrow tube inserted into the pouch anywhere from 2 to 7 times daily. There are risks involved with ileostomy surgery.
These include general anesthetic risks, bleeding, infection, hernia, scarring, stenosis (narrowing) of the stoma, bowel obstruction and dehydration.  Your doctor can give you complete information regarding all the risks surrounding ileostomy surgery.

Ileostomy preparation

Preparation for an ileostomy can begin up to two weeks prior to the surgery date.
Your doctor may request you stop taking anti-coagulant medications (aspirin, Advil, anti-inflammatories) at this time. If you have a cold or flu prior to your surgery date, you need to let your doctor know as soon as possible.
Surgery may have to be delayed if this is the case. You should drink lots of water and eat a high fiber diet.  Closer to your surgery, you will likely be asked to start a clear fluids only diet.  No fluids or foods will be permitted after midnight the evening before your surgery.  You may be given antibiotics prior to surgery to remove bacteria from your colon.  Additionally, you will be placed on a bowel-cleansing regime with laxatives or enemas a day or two before the procedure.
Your bowel must be empty and clean for surgery to prevent infection. You will be in the hospital 6 to 10 days after surgery.  If necessary, you should arrange, in advance, for:

• Child care
• Pet care
• A house sitter, if necessary
• Payment of your financial obligations

Ileostomy recovery

After surgery, you will be given a fluid diet until your bowel begins to function again.
Once this happens, solids will be gradually permitted.
This may be within two days or may take a little longer. Before discharge from hospital, you will be taught how to use a stoma pouch and care for your stoma.
It is important the area around the stoma be kept clean to reduce skin irritation. Stoma pouches are odor-resistant and invisible under your clothing.
Emptying the pouch when it is 1/3 full prevents bulging that may become apparent.
The number of times a pouch needs to be emptied daily varies widely.
After the first six months, you may find the necessity to empty the pouch decreases.
Pouches are replaced every 3 to 7 days. You should avoid strenuous exertions for the first three months after your surgery.
Normal everyday activities can resume 4 to 8 weeks post-surgery.
The average return to work after an ileostomy is 2 to 3 months. Using a stoma pouch may be difficult to adjust to in the beginning.
In time, you will be more at ease with the care and use of a stoma pouch.
This may take several weeks to months. Requiring ileostomy surgery and a stoma pouch can be psychologically distressing.
If you are experiencing anxieties, you should speak with your health professionals about coping strategies.
Contacting a support group may also be beneficial. Patients who undergo an ileostomy often have an improved quality of life.
They are freed from the symptoms of the medical condition that necessitated the ileostomy and are able to enjoy activities they may not have been able to participate in prior to surgery.