I will admit the title seems a bit controversial because it could go so many ways. But I think most will be pleasantly surprised when I tell them that this is about motorcycle riding with an Ostomy.  No I am really not that Harley Davidson kind of guy.  Instead I am more of an intellectual who simply likes to be outside and rip up the road on occasion.  Oh and yes I have a Stoma. I don't pretend that motorcycle riding gives my personality any extra boost, but I will say that I do get a psychological boost out of riding. For me it is a wonderful break from regular life and allows me to focus on things very intently. Ostomy care is also a part of what is needed when riding, but I find that for me I just keep a few ostomy care items in my saddlebags and I am completely good to go. ​

An ostomy surgery aimed at creating an opening in the colon and diverting that opening through the abdominal wall to form a stoma is called a colostomy. This stoma allows waste to fall into an external bag. Several diseases can result in a person requiring bypassing or removal of the rectum. So, the doctor decides to give the patient a stoma before removing or bypassing the diseased part of the colon.

If your bowel needs some time to heal, you do part of the colon out of function. After the healing is complete, the colostomy can be reversed with the help of another surgical procedure. This reversal restores the bowel’s normal function.

There are some cases in which the rectum requires permanent removal. The resulting colostomy in such cases is permanent. Reasons for colostomy include Cancer, diverticulitis, imperforate anus, Hirschsprung’s disease, and trauma.

The most convenient way to manage a colostomy is to wear an ostomy bag. This bag fits around the stoma and forms a seal with the peristomal skin through a wafer or skin barrier. Based on your specific requirements, you can either choose a disposable bag or a reusable pouch. Ideally, you need to ask your doctor about the type of pouching system that is useful for you.

Another way to manage your colostomy is stoma irrigation. For this, you are going to have to learn to respond to your bowel movements. After taking note of the bowel movements, you can schedule stoma irrigation daily. Again, your doctor or ostomy care nurse is the best source of information regarding whether or not you are eligible for stoma irrigation.

Living with a colostomy

• Many people wonder if they can continue performing their professional duties after colostomy surgery. A colostomy should not interfere with work. However, there might be an exception for the jobs that require heavy lifting.
• A colostomy shouldn’t keep you from interacting with your friends, family, and people in your social circle. Proper ostomy management ideally involves the prevention of leakage and odor. If you can manage your colostomy that way, there is no reason you should be shy about going out and meeting other people.
  
• You can wear clothes of your choice without anyone noticing that you have got an ostomy.
• If you have been fond of exercising and physical training before surgery, you can continue with those activities after surgery. But, it is necessary to be wary of engaging in contact sports because they can cause harm to your stoma.
• Having a colostomy does not put any restriction on what you eat. In the first few weeks after surgery, your doctor will give you diet instructions because of the colonic diversion, which needs some time to adapt to your body. You can consider going easy with those instructions after a couple of weeks when your colostomy starts functioning.

Remember, you need to be in touch with your doctor or colostomy care nurse as long as you have a colostomy. That might mean staying in contact with them for your lifetime. It’s not as scary as it might sound. You will develop a habit of taking all necessary measures to manage your ostomy.

An ileostomy involves the surgical creation of an opening in the ileum. This open end of the ileum is brought out through the abdominal wall, creating a stoma that allows waste to leave the body and fall into an ostomy bag connected to the skin around the stoma.

An ileostomy can be both temporary and permanent. Your doctor may opt to give you an ileostomy to allow your colon to heal. A typical example of this is colorectal cancer surgery, which results in a significant weakening of colon. You are going to have to undergo another surgery to reverse your ileostomy.

In some cases, the doctor may recommend the removal of your colon entirely. Possible reasons for a permanent ileostomy include Crohn’s disease, cancers, colonic dysmotility, ulcerative colitis, and familial polyposis.

You are going to have to wear an ostomy bag to manage your ileostomy. Manufacturers of ostomy supplies have made remarkable advances that tend to make ostomy management significantly easier for ostomates. Access to detailed information about the benefits and limitations of ostomy supplies can help you pick the right supplies according to your requirements. You can choose to buy these supplies from pharmacies in your locality, or you can order online to get the supplies shipped at your doorstep.

Living with an ileostomy
The good news is that an ileostomy does not mean a disability. Except for a few changes, you will be able to engage in routine activities in pretty much the same way as before surgery.

• There is going to be a possible exception to the jobs that require heavy lifting. Apart from that, you should be able to do anything for a living.
  
• Your ileostomy will not affect your sexual function unless you are overwhelmingly depressed about it. This surgery involves the removal of your rectum, which doesn’t have anything to do with intimacy or pregnancy. Depending on how well you manage your ileostomy, you can continue to interact with your friends, family, and people in your social circle.
• You can keep wearing your fitting clothes, including your swimwear. Ostomy bags manufactured these days can remain flat with the abdomen. Moreover, there are several ways you can prevent the buildup of gas in the bag. It can help you avoid pouch ballooning.
• An ileostomy doesn’t stop you from engaging in any sports activities, except for the exercises that require heavy lifting. Moreover, you are going to have to adopt a few precautionary measures if you are fond of contact sports.
• In the first few weeks after surgery, you are going to have to follow your doctor’s guidelines regarding your diet. During that time, your body adapts to the colonic diversion. After that, you can switch to your pre-surgery diet. However, it is necessary to work on a slow resumption.

It is necessary to remain in contact with your doctor or ostomy care nurse. With their help on your side, you can adapt to a life with your ileostomy very quickly.