{"id":1137,"date":"2025-03-25T10:43:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T10:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/?page_id=1137"},"modified":"2025-07-09T10:46:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T10:46:50","slug":"before-stoma-surgery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/GB\/stoma-support-advice\/before-stoma-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Before stoma surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Preparing for stoma surgery<\/mark><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve rounded up the facts you need to know about the surgery itself, what to plan before you head to hospital, the essential things you\u2019ll need to pack in your hospital bag, and what to expect when you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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An unfiltered look at stomas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s face it, knowing you have stoma surgery coming up can be scary. It\u2019s also normal to have questions, concerns, and conjured-up scenarios whirling around in your head. But knowing what to expect can help you mentally prepare and feel more in control. So, without further ado\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a stoma?<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the simplest sense, a stoma is when a surgeon brings a piece of your bowel outside of your body and onto your belly. They\u2019ll then fold that piece of bowel back and attach it onto your skin to create an opening outside of your body which will be used to remove waste (stool or urine).  
 
You won\u2019t be able to control this flow, so you\u2019ll wear a stoma bag (also referred to as a pouch) to collect the waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does a stoma look and feel like?<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A stoma is red, shiny, and warm. In fact, it\u2019s not dissimilar to the look and feel of the inside of your cheek (extra points if you just ran your tongue alongside the inside of your cheek to check it out for yourself just now!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why would you need a stoma?<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For many reasons.  

You might need a faecal or bowel stoma (known as a colostomy or ileostomy) if you\u2019ve been diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn\u2019s Disease or ulcerative colitis), faecal incontinence, or if you\u2019ve had an accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A urinary stoma (also known as a urostomy or ileal conduit) on the other hand might be the way forward if you\u2019ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer, or if you\u2019re experiencing benign conditions such as chronic inflammation, incontinence, or birth defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need to know: stoma site marking<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your stoma care nurse will play a leading part in your treatment journey. And one of their key roles before surgery will be to site mark your stoma (which basically means deciding where your stoma will be). It\u2019s a bit of a science, and your stoma care nurse has plenty of rules to follow before deciding where the best place for your stoma will be. Here\u2019s what you need to know:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your stoma should be in a very specific place<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your stoma should sit between your belly button (umbilicus) and hip bone.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your stoma care nurse will also look at your whole body<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ll consider when you\u2019re sitting, standing, and bending to make sure your stomas sited in the best area for you, and away from any waistbands, abdominal wounds, creases, wrinkles, or scars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll want to wear your normal clothes<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dressing in your everyday clothes will help your stoma care nurse to gauge where your stoma needs to be sited to make it most comfortable for you, based on what you choose to wear day-to-day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stoma siting can prevent problems later on<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having your stoma properly sited can stop any post-op problems arising and can help you avoid issues (such as leaks and adhesive problems) later on, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll get a trial run<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once your stoma care nurse has sited your stoma; you\u2019ll have the chance to test drive a stoma bag before your surgery. This lets you get a feel for where it will sit before you have surgery, so you can make sure you\u2019re 100% happy. Remember \u2013 if you need to alter your stomas site, it can be changed before surgery, but not after, so it\u2019s vital that you make sure it\u2019s in the right place before you give it the green light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do before stoma surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you get a date and time for your stoma surgery, here\u2019s what to plan ahead to make sure you have a stress-free hospital stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell your employer<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to let your employer know you\u2019re having surgery so that they\u2019re aware of the time off you\u2019ll need to rest and recover. They should let you know if, and how often, you need to stay in touch during your recovery. It also gives you a chance to let them know how they can support you after your surgery, too.
 
Depending on the type of work you do, you may need a few adjustments (like access to a different toilet, or room to discreetly store your stoma care products at your desk) when you return to work. Let your employer know in advance of anything you might need so they can put these tweaks into place to help you transition smoothly back into the workplace after surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organise care for children or dependent adults<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have children or dependent adults relying on you, arrange alternative care before you head into hospital. That\u2019s one less thing you don\u2019t have to worry about. Besides, you\u2019ll have enough to think about while you\u2019re focused on recovering and getting the hang of looking after your new stoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making a visiting schedule<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Got a big family? You probably won\u2019t want to have 10 people hanging around your hospital bed while you\u2019re recovering. And, depending on the hospital, there might be a limit on the number of visitors you can have, too. To get around this, try making a rota that you can share with your nearest and dearest. This way you can make sure that there\u2019s always someone with you, but you\u2019re also not bombarded with visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sort your travel<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You won\u2019t be able to drive for a few weeks after stoma surgery, so it\u2019s a good idea to plan how you\u2019re going to get to the hospital, how you\u2019re going to get home, and how you\u2019ll get out and about in the weeks after your surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get the support you need<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

 It’s important to have the right help and support after stoma surgery. If you don\u2019t have a big family or social circle nearby to call on, speak to your stoma care nurse about how you can get an extra helping hand, if you need it. And if you know there\u2019s nobody close by to bring you fresh supplies while you\u2019re in hospital, make sure you pack extra pyjamas, underwear, and anything else you think you might need, just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to pack in your hospital bag<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve got a date for your stoma surgery. You\u2019ve asked all the questions you want answers to. Now here\u2019s what to pack in your hospital bag:<\/p>\n\n\n\n