Stoma Care

Stoma Care

Welcome to our stoma care section. Here you will find helpful information and advice on looking after your stoma including skincare, travel, irrigation, surgery and the different types of stoma.

With over 177,000 people in the UK living with a stoma, you’re not alone. Many ostomates find a toilet card useful to aid clear and efficient communication when you need to use a toilet urgently – apply for your FREE Just Can’t Wait Card.

Our Bladder & Bowel Home Delivery Service can also offer you expert advice from a trained nurse about stoma care and help you find the right products to manage your condition. For more information on ostomies and stoma care products call our Home Delivery Team on 0800 031 5406.

The following articles may be helpful towards your stoma care journey.

Irrigation And Your Stoma

Irrigation is a system of bowel management for a colostomy in which you ‘wash’ the bowel to encourage a bowel movement. Over time your bowel will adopt this regular habit, and you should not produce waste in between irrigation sessions.…

Diet And Exercise With A Stoma

If you have a stoma, diet and exercise are just as important as ever. You may have to make some adjustments to the way you exercise with a stoma, what you eat and drink and how you stay active. But on the whole, being an ‘active ostomate’…

Stoma Skincare

Looking after your peristomal skin (the ring of your skin that sits under your bag) is a vital part of your stoma care routine. It is important to avoid faeces or urine from coming into contact with your skin otherwise this can cause sore…

Stoma Care Products

There are many different stoma care products for you to choose from. Your stoma nurse will probably help you choose one in the beginning. You may like to try some different pouches to see which type you find the most comfortable and most…

What To Expect After Your Stoma Surgery

Straight after your stoma operation What will my stoma look like? Don’t be alarmed by the size of your stoma for the first few weeks after surgery. Your abdomen and your stoma will both be quite swollen and your stoma may also ooze…

What To Expect Before Your Stoma Surgery

Your Preoperative Assessment Depending on your hospital you will probably be offered a pre-op assessment a few days/ weeks prior to your stoma surgery. This assessment will involve a meeting with your surgeon to discuss any last minute…

Stoma Surgery

What is a stoma? A stoma is an opening on the abdomen that can be connected to either your digestive or urinary system to allow waste (urine or faeces) to be diverted out of your body. It looks like a small, pinkish, circular piece of…

Ileostomy Surgery

What is an Ileostomy? An Ileostomy is created when your bowel is redirected out of your abdomen. An Ileostomy normally involves removing the colon and in some cases the rectum. The Ileium (last part of the small intestine) is brought to…

Colostomy Surgery

What is a Colostomy? A colostomy is created when your colon is cut and brought to the outside through the abdominal wall to create an artificial opening. Your faeces is then collected in a bag called a colostomy bag that is attached to…