Preparing for stoma surgery
Preparing for stoma surgery can feel overwhelming, but understanding what to expect helps you feel more confident. Whether you’re having colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy surgery, this guide covers essential tips before your operation.
Stoma surgery can feel daunting, but you’re not alone. We’re here to help you prepare - physically and mentally.
If you need stoma surgery, whether for a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, it’s because a medical condition or injury is preventing your bowel or bladder from working properly. Today in the UK, approximately 205,000 people of all ages live active, productive lives with a stoma¹. Like any major surgery, it can be life-changing and nerve-wracking for you and your loved ones. Feeling comfortable starts with understanding the procedure and knowing what to ask your healthcare team. We’ll support you every step of the way.
Your healthcare team is your best resource for answers and guidance. Below, learn about their roles and questions to ask before surgery.
If you are preparing for stoma surgery, the good news is, you don’t have to go through it alone.
A dedicated team of me+™ support specialists is just a phone call away, 0800 467 866, with answers and support to make preparing for surgery and living with an ostomy a little easier. Whether you need help with stoma care, knowing what products to use or are coping with tricky lifestyle issues, they genuinely care about you and getting you back to doing the things you love.
Common questions
Facing stoma surgery can raise a lot of questions, and that’s completely normal. Whether you’re preparing for a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy, understanding what happens before surgery can help you feel more confident and in control.
Explore these FAQs to learn practical tips for preparation, questions to ask your stoma nurse, and what to expect before your procedure.
- Your stoma has no nerve-endings so you shouldn’t feel any pain or sensation from it.
- The area directly around your stoma may feel sore or uncomfortable during the post-op period, often due to the stitches securing the stoma to the abdomen - whether you’ve had a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy - but this will subside.
- This will be dependant on whether you're having colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy surgery. Your stoma nurse will discuss with you the best place to site your stoma.
- Things to consider will be where your clothes sit on your waistline or where the skin naturally folds and creases when you sit down.
- It’s also good to discuss any physical activities you enjoy such as golf, rugby, walking or swimming and also the type of clothes you like to wear.
- The siting acts as a guide and occasionally it may not be possible to bring your stoma out at the marked site.
The stronger you are going into surgery, the faster your recovery will be afterwards1. You will be seen in a pre-operative clinic where you will be given advice on how to prepare for your surgery.
- The average hospital stay after abdominal surgery is 5 days2. This can vary, for some the stay may be longer.
- Your hospital should explain what you’ll need to bring in their pre-op information. Keep in mind hospitals no longer provide things like toiletries for patients.
- Here are some ideas of what you can pack:
- Essentials: Toiletries and extra underwear
- Documents: ID, medication list (name, dosage, frequency), important phone numbers
- Entertainment: Laptop/tablet (download your favourite films & TV shows in case of poor signal!), phone, headphones, books, magazines, puzzles, notebook, playing cards
- Comfort items: Comfy PJs, dressing gown, bed socks, cushion, photos, small home comforts
Useful links
Featured stoma products
Esteem Body™ Soft Convex One-Piece Closed-end Pouch - with window
Esteem Body™ Soft Convex One-Piece Drainable Pouch - with window
Esteem Body™ Soft Convex One-Piece Urostomy Pouch - with window
Natura® ConvaTec Mouldable Technology™ Baseplate
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