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  Crohns & Colitis Australia
  Health Consumer Organisation

  For more than 25 years, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia™ (formerly the Australian Crohn’s and Colitis Association) has been making life more liveable for more than ... View profile

  Having surgery that results in a stoma is for most people a very difficult prospect to consider.  Fears and concerns on what impact it will have on their life and issues such as body image, intimacy, and the effect on a couple’s relationship can weigh heavily on one’s mind.  However by reading informative material that comes from a reliable source and by talking to others who have been through the same experience with a positive outcome can help allay many of those fears.   There are several stoma associations and stoma support groups, including Young Ostomates United – www.vicnet.net.au/~youinc  that you can contact for information and be put in touch with other young people living with a stoma.  You may also find it very beneficial calling the Crohn’s & Colitis Australia helpline 1800 138 029, which will give you the opportunity to talk through your situation at length as well as provide you with a wealth of information about stoma surgery and the treatments used in Crohn’s.  Contact with others who have been in a similar situation can also be arranged. Reply to this post  |  Report
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  nannak
  Healthshare Member

  Did the surgeon specifically say you would have a stoma?
  
  Depending where your disease is there is a chance they can cut out the piece and staple it back together - called a bowel resection. I have had this done for multiple strictures and disease and still no stoma. You need to ask your surgeon for specifics so you can make an informed decision - also if they are almost sure that it will be a stoma then ask to speak with a StomaTherapist if one is available - they can also point you in the direction for help in decision making.
  
  The upside fo surgery is that you may get your quality of life back - the biggest reason why I have had surgery in past - the stoma was always there as a potential but each time got away with out having to have it done. Reply to this post  |  Report
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