IBD doesn’t have to control your life, you can thrive!
Do these questions reflect YOUR life with IBD? Many people with chronic illness have discovered ostomy surgery as an option for taking control and getting their lives back.
Ostomy experiences from real people
You only get one chance at life, and you want to live that life and make it the best you can. My surgery gave me my life back. I have more energy than ever! I feel stronger and look healthier.
I knew I was not supposed to be happy about the news that I needed an ostomy, but I was so relieved that there might be a way out of this very challenging and compromised life I had been forced to live that I actually was happy!
I battled UC for 34 years and my life became so compromised I could not enjoy the things I loved — my family, traveling and being independent. My ostomy gave me my life back and for that I’m just so grateful.
It took some time to accept the stoma and process all my emotions and I realized…
I'm still myself!
I'm as fine as wine!
I'm a survivor!
I’m a person who won the fight to be alive!
The blessings are bigger than the trials!
5 Questions about Life with an Ostomy
Get answers to your questions
about life with an ostomy.
What is an Ostomy?
There are three main types of ostomies: Colostomy, Ileostomy, and Urostomy. Click on the below to find out more.
What Is a Colostomy?
A colostomy is a surgically created opening (ostomy) to eliminate waste out of the body after a section of the large intestine (colon) has been removed or bypassed. With a colostomy, waste is eliminated through the ostomy instead of through the anus. Because there is no sphincter muscle to voluntarily control when to eliminate waste, it collects into a drainable ostomy pouching system.
How a Colostomy Is Created
To construct a colostomy, your surgeon brings part of the large intestine (colon) through the abdominal wall. This new opening in your abdominal wall is called a stoma (or ostomy). A colostomy may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medical reason for the surgery. In some cases where the anal sphincter is intact but a portion of the bowel needs to rest and heal, a temporary ostomy is created.
What Is an Ileostomy?
An ileostomy is a surgically created opening (ostomy) to eliminate waste out of the body after a section of the small intestine, or the entire large intestine (colon), has been removed or bypassed. With an ileostomy, waste is eliminated through the ostomy instead of through the anus. Because there is no sphincter muscle to voluntarily control when to eliminate waste, it collects into a drainable ostomy pouching system.
How an Ileostomy Is Created
To construct an ileostomy, your surgeon brings part of the small intestine (ileum) through the abdominal wall. This new opening in your abdominal wall is called a stoma (or ostomy). An ileostomy may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medical reason for the surgery. In some cases where the anal sphincter is intact but a portion of the bowel needs to rest and heal, a temporary ostomy is created.
What Is a Urostomy?
A urostomy, sometimes called a urinary diversion or ileal conduit, is a surgically created opening (ostomy) to drain urine out of the body after the bladder has been removed or bypassed. With a urostomy, urine is eliminated through the ostomy instead of through the urethra. Because there is no sphincter muscle to voluntarily control when to urinate, urine collects into an ostomy pouching system with a drain tap at the bottom.
How a Urostomy Is Created
Your surgeon may select one of several methods to create the urostomy. The surgeon removes a short segment of intestine to use as a pipeline, or conduit, for urine to flow out of your body. The few inches that the surgeon removes for the conduit will not affect how the intestine works. The surgeon will reconnect the intestine, and it will continue to function just as it did before. The surgeon then closes one end of the conduit, inserts the ureters into the conduit, and brings the open end of the conduit through the abdominal wall. This new opening in your abdominal wall is called a stoma (or ostomy).
Pouching Systems
The skin barrier is the portion of your pouching system that fits immediately around your stoma. It protects your skin and holds your pouching system in place.
Sometimes called a wafer.
Finding the right pouching system is critical to ensuring you can continue to live comfortably with your ostomy.
The pouching system consists of two main parts:
The pouch is the bag that collects output from your stoma. The type of pouches are drainable, closed, and urostomy, based on ostomy type.
Two-Piece Pouching System
The skin barrier and the pouch are two separate pieces. The plastic ring in a two piece system that is used to connect the two parts together is called the flange.
One-Piece Pouching System
The skin barrier and the pouch are a single unit.
Ostomy Learning Center
Whether you are about to have surgery, have had your stoma for years, or want to determine whether ostomy surgery is right for you, we are here to help you with information and education about life with an ostomy.
5 Questions about Life with an Ostomy
You can ABSOLUTELY live an active life and do everything that you enjoy — swimming, traveling, playing sports, and much more. The sky really is the limit!
Swipe for more answers
I was fortunate to play in the NFL for seven years with my ostomy! And since then, I've spoken to thousands of patients who have done amazing things after ostomy surgery — including climbing Mt. Everest, running marathons, scuba diving, skiing, playing tennis, hockey, returning to the police and firefighting force, golfing, bull-riding, and so much more. With passion, desire, and a little planning, you can do virtually anything.
Rolf’s Experience
I was concerned that my athletic life was over. Having been a heavy weightlifter and hockey player prior to surgery, the fear of not being able to be an athlete scared the hell out of me. Eight weeks post-surgery I was back in the gym. It was much easier to get back to my "normal" athletic lifestyle than I anticipated.
Justin’s Experience
I have no fear whatsoever if people can see my appliance through my clothes. No one has any idea unless they know me, and in the grand scheme of things, looks are not as important as health. I think of my ostomy as a badge of honor I earned for beating my disease.
Justin’s Experience
I was certainly nervous about clothing prior to my surgery. Someone gave me a great piece of advice to wear my favorite pair of jeans to my pre-op appointment. The stoma nurse was able to strategically place my stoma to ensure I’d still be able to wear what I loved. Feeling like I had a little bit of control and decision-making power beforehand was hugely helpful for me.
McKenna’s Experience
I simply decided that I was going to accept it. I looked at many pictures of men and women with ostomies who had fantastic bodies and was not repulsed by seeing their appliance. In fact, I was more impressed that they looked so good despite all they had been through.
Justin’s Experience
Meeting other people with ostomies in person and on social media who are comfortable in their own skin, really helped me to love and accept my new body. And having an understanding support system helped me turn the corner and become more confident and love myself again. Stomas can take getting used to. Shifting your mindset to what your new ostomy has given you, and how much your body has overcome, can help develop an attitude of gratitude.
McKenna’s Experience
This may be the scariest question that comes up when ostomy surgery is being considered, but the answer is unequivocally, YES! You’ll grow comfortable and confident in your new situation and may find that your partner respects you even more for what you've overcome. If you're contemplating motherhood, you'll be joining thousands of mothers who have delivered their babies with an ostomy.
Rolf’s Experience
If there are people in your life who will judge you or think of you differently because you have an ostomy bag, ultimately, those are people who do not deserve your time and energy. An ostomy does not change who you are. In my case, my ostomy gave me the ability to be fully and completely me.
McKenna’s Experience
Being able eat the things I loved without fear of running to the bathroom immediately after a meal was such a relief. Odds are that you will be able to enjoy food much more after the surgery without these overwhelming fears. There are certain foods I learned to be cautious about eating in large quantities, but food became a pleasure again!
Rolf’s Experience
I was very concerned that I would not be able to eat some of my favorite foods and enjoy meals with my family. I pretty much eat what I want, including fruits, raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, and popcorn although I am cautious about not overeating things that might cause a problem.
Justin’s Experience
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