Back To The Workplace With An Ostomy

From the board room to the construction site, people with ostomy work every job. The change after ostomy surgery is the new normal that a person with an ostomy has to embrace to be able to live an active life, which also includes going back to work.

According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, your ostomy should not limit your return to work once you are recovered from surgery. The right time to return to work depends on your recovery, ease of ostomy pouch management, and the level of physical activity involved in your job.

You can choose to tell, or not tell, your employer or coworkers about your ostomy depending on your work situation. Most of the time, letting these people know about your condition can be beneficial because a person with an ostomy requires frequent breaks or other accommodations. Your coworkers might not know about your ostomy until you tell them.

Here are a few tips that can help you return to your workplace without any issues.

Be prepared

You will need to be fully prepared for any leaks, and its resulting requirements such as change or ostomy pouch and/or change of clothes. Preparing a backpack to deal with such circumstances can be plenty helpful in this regard.

Know your rights

American Disabilities Act gives you some legal rights against employment-based discrimination. Most of the people understand the situation, and they remain helpful instead of being harassers, but you should know the rights that protect you against any discrimination or bullying.

Dispose of or empty your pouch properly

During working hours, you may have to change or empty your pouch. Find an appropriate place where you can change or empty your ostomy pouch.

Find the best clothing for your job

If you are going to have to sit for long hours, you will need loose clothing. If your job requires you to bend a lot, you are going to have to wear an ostomy belt. You will need to pay specific attention to the skin barrier if you perspire during job hours.

Hydrate

An ostomy on the intestinal tract would mean that you will have to lose your entire or a part of your colon. One of the main functions of the colon is to absorb water from the stool as it moves towards the rectum. With the colon gone, your body will be deprived of a re-hydrator, which means you will be more susceptible to dehydration. Increasing water intake can help you avoid issues in your GI tract.