What life can look like after stoma surgery | by Kevin
Life after stoma surgery is never straightforward. It’s filled with its highs and lows, victories and setbacks, and moments that force you to face your own strength. I want to share my story, not to sugarcoat it, but to show that life after surgery can be full, ambitious and meaningful. From the London marathon to hospital stays, from hip fractures to training for my next big goal. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t ever about failing, it’s about how you rise each time. This is a real, honest account of life after surgery and the lessons that keep me moving forward.
Life after surgery: milestones and lessons
Living with a stoma does not define you but it does teach you how to listen to your body, fight for your health and celebrate every milestone, big or small.
In 2023, I ran the London marathon. That medal was not just about running 26.2 miles; it was proof that your life doesn’t stop after surgery. Every morning, every long run, every moment of doubt was worth it. I proved to myself that goals I once thought were impossible were still achievable.
But life isn’t just about victories. Later in 2023, I faced the first real test of resilience post-marathon. I went through a further surgery which was my total proctocolectomy. This was the surgery that I knew once I had, there would be no reversals. Even though I knew it was never going to happen, I always dreamed of being bag free. The surgery happened and I guess shear relief that this was me, this was how it was always going to be. The marathon felt hard to recover from but those of us going through tough times know it’s also hard to recover from surgery, and needs you to muster up all the strength and focus to get yourself back on track. Sometimes in life the bravest thing, instead of trying to just get on with it, is to ask for help.
2024 brought an even bigger challenge, I fractured my hip – years and years of steroids and treatments for my Crohn’s had finally taken its toll and my hip had started to crumble away and there was a huge collection of fluid in the hip joint. Life stopped – the runner, the stoma warrior, the person that was always on the move, was sidelined. Rehab was tough the pain was nothing I’d felt before and it was debilitating, it was tough both mentally and physically. But I learned that resilience is not about never being hurt, it’s about rebuilding one step at a time.
In 2025, I started to regain control of my life by working and supporting colleagues, implementing different things into my routine and slowly building up my fitness. Until I spent 6 weeks in hospital over 2 occasions in October and November. That was humbling; it reminded me how important it is to listen to your body and speak up when something feels wrong, and accept support when it’s offered to you. Recovery became about patience and trusting the process; by the end of the year, I started to feel strong again and healthier than I had in years.
Now, here I am 2026, training for my second marathon. I’m fitter, wiser and more connected to my body than ever. I’ve learned that setbacks do not erase achievements and that life after a stoma can include the boldest goals you set to date. Training is about listening, pacing and remembering that every run, every step and every effort counts because it’s not just about the finish line, it’s about proving to yourself what you’re capable of.
I know this kind of journey, training for marathons, pushing your limits, is not for everyone. We all have our own limitations and our own goals in life. For me, running clears my mind, keeps me fit and gives me drive. For someone else it might be walking, cycling, meeting up with friends or simply focusing on small, daily wins. The important thing is to find what gives you purpose and energy, and let that guide you… whatever it may be.
Life after stoma surgery is full of challenges: from marathons to hospital stays, from fractures to fatigue, but it’s also full of triumphs. The journey is not linear but that does not make it any less meaningful.
If there is one thing I want anyone to know post-surgery, it’s that you can still dream big, achieve big and live a life full of milestones. Listen to your body, speak up when something is not right, rest when you need to and never let setbacks define you. Life does not stop after a stoma – it evolves and can be extraordinary.
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