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Learning how to sleep again after ostomy surgery may sound odd. After all, we’ve been sleeping since the day we were born. But when you have a stoma, your old sleep positions may need a little adjustment. Here are some tips:
Put pillows around you to prevent you from rolling over on your pouch.
Wear a shirt to bed that's a couple of sizes too small; it will help keep your pouch snug against your body while you sleep.
Try sleeping on your back. It may take a little getting used to, but after a while it can become second nature.
Be conscious of your pouch’s condition. Be ready to empty or change your pouch at night, if necessary.
As these people living with an ostomy will tell you, sleeping gets easier with time.
If you have a urostomy, ask a ConvaTec product specialist about a night drainage system. It collects urine throughout the night so you don’t have to drain your pouch.
If you have a high-output ileostomy, ask a ConvaTec product specialist about high-output pouches. They may allow you to sleep through the night without interruption.
Our expert team of me+™ ostomy nurses and product specialists is only a phone call away.
Call: 1-800-422-8811 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-7:00pm ET)
Email: cic@convatec.com
