Overview

An ostomy, or stoma, is a surgically created opening between the intestines and the abdominal wall. Ostomies can be temporary or permanent.

Ostomy Types

  • Ileostomy: Connects the last part of the small intestines (ileum) to the abdominal wall.
  • Colostomy: Connects a part of the colon (large intestine) to the abdominal wall.

Diagnosis

Ostomies can be caused by the following conditions:

  • Cancer
  • Trauma
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Infection
  • Fecal incontinence (inability to control bowel movements)
  • Diverticular disease (small bulges or sacs that form in the wall of the large intestine)

Treatment

Dietary Restrictions: Depending on the type of ostomy, you may need to change what you eat to control the number of and consistency of bowel movements. You will learn to monitor the effect of food on ostomy function. After a period of time, many patients are able to slowly introduce foods back into their diets. It helps to chew food well, drink plenty of fluids and avoid certain high roughage foods, such as green leafy vegetables. After recovering from surgery, most patients do not have dietary limitations.

ASCRS: Ostomy

United Ostomy Associations of America

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What They Are Saying

Denise H.
I would highly recommend this group for digestive health. They began, continued, and ended the process by staying in contact, offering educational information through written and video/audio material about what to expect, and staying upbeat about the whole process. They included helpful tips about how to prep for the test for the best, most effective results. There were daily reminders about a ‘to buy list’, what a liquid diet consists of, and what was not allowed on the diet. There was a posted phone number to a patient advisor for questions I might have with every contact. The instructions were very clear. I felt encouraged and supported by a wonderful staff, including both nurses who took care of me, the anesthesiologist, procedure tech assistant, and Physician. From the staff who greeted me and checked me in, to the last goodbye on my exit out, everyone was pleasant and professional.
Michael C.
Entire staff was nice and professional. Communication and step by step support was great!
Mary V.
Everyone was kind from start do finish of my procedure. Staff, Doctor. Highly recommend this facility k
Thomas O.
No issues Great place nice staff
Tom S.
I was weighed and the taken to an exam room promptly where BP and temp were taken. Dr. Wille came in shortly after and I was on my way home 20 minutes after my appointment time. Dr. Wille explained test results, discussed my situation, and ordered additional testing, and did not rush me at all.
denise W.
Love how informative my doctor is on my condition
Don W.
The procedure went without a hitch but my wife wasn’t very impressed with the young man that came to get her from the waiting room.
Denise H.
Center for Digestive Health is a perfect place to go if you have any type of digestive issue. They make you feel very comfortable talking about any issue you may be experiencing and they ask all the appropriate questions all the while putting you at ease. When I called I was worried about something and they worked to get me right in. I saw the PA Noelle and she is just wonderful. Everyone at the desk and beyond are very welcoming and helpful. Dr. Weber has been my doctor there for years and I trust him explicitly. His assistant Debbie always helps me out and listens to me and is always very kind. The office is warm, clean and inviting. There are a few locations and so that makes it very nice. All in all I’m very impressed with this group of Doctors, Nurses and Assistants.
Dennis Z.
Smooth procedure, prompt and friendly staff and Dr. Nandi was quick with a prognosis. Anesthia was easy and recovery was quick
Regina K.
Dr Weber and his team were awesome. Everyone was professional, listened, answered questions, and very pleasant. They worked hard to keep the experience calm. The check-in staff were very pleasant as well and I received a call within 2 hours after discharge asking how I was doing. Thank you.
Tony R.
Painless and great Dr's!!
Aniela H.
Very good experience from the moment we walked in until we left. The check in was easy, waiting time minimal, nurses and doctor were pleasant and gave clear discharge instructions and kept me informed throughout the procedure. I highly recommend the place.
Tabatha D.
Excellent experience! Having a colonoscopy is weird to begin with, but from the front desk to everyone in the back, the nurses, doctor, medical assistants were amazing, I felt like family!! Extra special thank you to Mary, she was the last person I seen before going under and the one I seen when I first woke up, it was very comforting to see Mary at my side and right there when I woke up still in the procedure room.. I don't know if Mary is a nurse or tech, but thank you Mary!!
J L.
This was a quick and relatively painless procedure, and the staff very friendly and profressional in getting me prepared and making sure I was comfortable after the procedure was done.
colleen W.
I love Dr. Weber. He listens and isn't critical of what you are saying like some doctors. He is very kind and treated me with great kindness and caring. I really can't say enough nice things about him. And all the office staff are great, all super nice and helpful. I'm glad I went back to Dr. Weber. Thank you!!! Keep.up the great work!!! It means so much to so many.❤️
Tina M.
This facility runs like a well oiled machine! Nurses were delightful and the process couldn't have run more smoothly! Highly recommend.
Rita B.
Dr. Quallich is the best!! Staff is very helpful & definitely work as a team. Highly recommend!!
Charles R.
Very professional. I thank everyone that was involved in my procedure.
Kelly R.
I see Dr Sante Bolonga He is awesome. He listens to EVERYTHING you say. I even brought in a ton of papers from old results of test, he took his time looking thru them, he def is an awesome Dr so far. I have only seen him a few times but so far they were amazing
Travis M.
Very good
Sarah M.
They were ahead of schedule and efficient!!
Kate C.
Dr. Weber and the staff are very nice and accommodating. They make sure that you are made to feel important and comfortable in asking questions and when requiring studies you are treated with respect and not as an afterthought.
Linda M.
I would highly recommend Center for Digestive health to anyone. The whole staff is so friendly, nice and helpful. I was in and out of there pretty quickly, there was really no wait time. Signed in, sat down, they called me right up to register me, and took me right back.
Margaret M.
Friendly, efficient and competent. Very satisfied!
Jerry O.
Doc. Willie and staff all are great I recommend this office.
Heiner S.
Everything about the procedure went flawless, it was quick and on time. Everyone was very professional and kind.
Silly P.
The surgical staff is AMAZING! My girl was Danny and I cannot remover the nurse who started my IV but she’s was AWESOME! She’s the super pregnant one! anesthesiologist Kathy and Dr. Bologna were AWESOME!
Brian W.
Dr. Willie and the staff were great. I was extremely satisfied with the courtesy and the care.
Gayle
Dr. Willie and his staff are exceptional! Thank you!

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?
If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.
What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised. 

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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