Making a stoma
Issue date: April 2022
Review date: April 2024
Ref C-493
PDF: Making a stoma generic final April 2022.pdf [pdf] 814KB
What is a bowel?
Your bowel is a very long tube that connects your stomach to your anus (the hole you poo out of).
When you eat and drink your body takes out all of the nutrients and vitamins that it needs. Anything it doesn't need is turned into waste.
We get rid of this waste when we go to the toilet as either wee or poo.
As your bowel/anus is poorly your doctor has said that you need a stoma.
You will need to have a stoma made so you can carry on pooing.
What is a stoma?
To make your stoma you will need to have an operation. You will be asleep for this.
The surgeon needs to take a piece of your bowel away / close up your anus.
The new end of your bowel will come through your stomach out of a hole they will make and be stitched down. The piece of bowel you will see is your stoma.
A bag will be put on your stoma and when you poo this will go into your bag.
When you wake up from the operation there will already be a bag on your stoma.
Having a poo
Your body will still make poo to get rid of the waste it does not need.
You will still get the same feelings and sounds in your stomach that let you know you need a poo.
You do not need to push or strain; the poo will go into your bag when your bowel is ready to empty.
This will happen once or twice a day.
Any farts that you need to pass will also go into the bag as they will not be able to come out of your bottom anymore.
You may want to avoid eating foods which give you too much wind!!
Changing your stoma bag
Before you leave hospital you will be shown how to change your stoma bag. They will show you each day so you learn how.
You need to change your bag when it is half full.
It is important to speak to the nurses if you cannot manage to do this by yourself.
You may be worried about strangers coming into your home to help you but it is important that your bag fits properly to stop it from leaking or rubbing.
The Stoma Team will do two home visits after you are sent home from hospital.
Sleeping and washing
When you go to sleep try to lie on your side or back. Do not lie on top of your bag.
The bag is waterproof so you can still wash and have a bath or a shower.
You will be given a small white case with your bags that includes a spray and powder. These are used to help your stitches stay dry. They can also be used if your skin is a little sore whilst you heal.
It is important to know that the only time you take your stoma bag off is to change it. It must be worn at all times; even when washing.
You should also keep a spare stoma bag in your bag for when you go out.
Used bags and new supplies
In your white box you will be given some small black bags. You put your full stoma bag into one of these black bags, tie it up and put it in your bin.
It is important to wash your hands before and after changing your stoma bag.
You will be given enough supplies to keep you going until after the Stoma Team have visited you for a second time at home.
You need to order your supplies two weeks in advance. The Stoma Team will set up a prescription with your doctor. When you need more supplies ring a company called Respond on 0800 220300. They will deliver your supplies to you. You must not run out of bags.
Any problems or questions:
If you have any questions or worries you can phone the Stoma Team between 8:30 and 4:00 Monday to Friday. The telephone number is 01752 439474.
If no-one answers you can leave a short message along with your name and telephone number.
There are stoma clinics Monday to Friday at the hospital between 1:15-3:00 in the afternoon. If you need to be seen phone the team who will book you into a clinic.
If the skin around your stoma becomes sore phone the Stoma Team. If the wound on your bum/bottom becomes sore, hot or itchy phone your doctor.
