Back to work, back behind the wheel, back to sport

Work

You will need a suitable period of convalescence before returning to work, and some people prefer to go back part-time at first. Individual advice is available from your surgeon, doctor or stoma care nurse, and you may wish to discuss the operation with the medical officer or occupational health nurse at your workplace. One line is worth having in writing: having an ileostomy should not bar you from any employment, and if you encounter problems because your employer does not understand the nature of the operation, help can be obtained from your surgeon, doctor, stoma care nurse or the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association.

The surgeons put a timescale on it: most patients are ready to return to work or education after 1 to 2 months.

Driving

Following any major operation you need to allow yourself time to feel comfortable driving again. With an ileostomy it is more specific: you may resume when your wound has healed and you are comfortable in sitting positions, usually at least six weeks after surgery. Check the terms of your policy with your motor insurance company beforehand — and note that you are not exempt from wearing a seat belt.

Sport

Provided your wound has healed, there is no reason not to return to sport — but do not rush back too soon; you may require a few months’ break. Seek advice from your surgeon, doctor or stoma care nurse before resuming, particularly for contact or strenuous sports. With very strenuous sports you may experience some leakage from your pouch. You can return to swimming once your wound has healed satisfactorily.

The surgeons go further on the long view: there are no restrictions on undertaking sporting or adventurous activity, and patients with ileal pouches cover the full range from minimal activity to professional athletes.

• Stoma protectors are available to wear with a belt attachment.
• Small activity pouches, undetectable under swimwear, are available.
• For added security you may wish to seal your bag with adhesive tape.
• Special swimwear and sportswear exist, though patterned swimwear is often quite suitable.

Telling your employer, or not

This is entirely your call, but it is worth knowing where the help is. You may wish to discuss your operation with the medical officer or occupational health nurse at your place of employment — a route that exists separately from telling a manager. And if you encounter problems at work because your employer does not understand the nature of the operation, support can be obtained from your surgeon, doctor, stoma care nurse or the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association.

The order these tend to come back in

Put together, a rough sequence emerges, and it is not the one people expect. Walking starts in hospital. Driving waits for the wound and for comfortable sitting — usually at least six weeks. Work follows convalescence, often part-time first, at 1 to 2 months for most people. Sport waits for the wound to heal properly and may need a few months. Heavy lifting is the longest of all, at three months.

These are starting points rather than permissions. Given time you will be able to resume previous activities as you wish — and individual advice is available from your surgeon, doctor or stoma care nurse, which is the sentence that governs every number above.