Lothar Bauer

GERMANY  

Just two months before his wedding day in 1979, doctors advised Lothar Bauer to cancel the ceremony in order to undergo immediate surgery to remove his large intestine. After discussions with both his fiancée and doctor, Lothar decided to delay the surgery until after the wedding.

A few months later, at the age of 28, Lothar had his large intestine removed and received a J-pouch. Lothar struggled with some physical complications from the pouch as well as emotional issues, including anxiety and sleep loss. About three years later, Lothar decided to have ostomy surgery.

After that surgery, Lothar felt as though his life had finally returned to normal. He was able to resume his favorite hobbies, such as inline skating. He also obtained his motorcycle license.

“I felt like I got my life back after surgery,” said Lothar. “I could do my daily activities without relying on someone else.”

Lothar became very involved with ILCO in Germany, an ileostomy and colostomy group, which is part of the International Ostomy Association. As part of his efforts to help comfort fellow ostomy patients, he began visiting them in the hospital—occasionally dressed in his motorcycle outfit and helmet to show that having an ostomy doesn’t mean having to give up the activities you love.

Lothar never let his ostomy hold him back from accomplishing personal and professional goals. He never stopped working at any point, and he hopes that his life will serve as an example and motivation for other ostomy patients—that they too can live a full and productive life.

Lothar, now 56, lives with his wife in München and is in the process of starting up an ostomy association in Bad tölz, Germany.