If you or someone you love needs ostomy surgery, you might have questions. You may wonder how it will change your body, daily routine and life.
At Banner Health, our surgeons, nurses and ostomy specialists work together to help you understand your options, prepare for surgery and handle changes confidently. We also discuss if an ostomy reversal may be possible later on.
An ostomy is a surgery that makes a new way for waste (poop and pee) to leave your body. You might need it if your digestive or urinary system doesn’t work normally due to disease, injury or other health conditions.
During the surgery, a surgeon brings part of your intestine or urinary tract to the surface of your abdomen (belly). They make a small opening called a stoma. The stoma is usually pink or red and doesn’t have feeling, so it doesn’t hurt when touched.
Waste leaves your body through the stoma instead of the anus or urethra. A special pouch, called an ostomy bag, sticks to your skin around the stoma to catch stool or urine.
You cannot control when waste comes out of the stoma. But the pouch is secure and built to prevent leaks and odors. When fitted correctly, most people don’t notice it under their clothes.
The type of ostomy you have depends on your health and which part of your digestive or urinary system is affected.
You may need an ostomy for different reasons. Sometimes, it can save your life. Other times, it gives your body a chance to heal. About one out of every 500 Americans has an ostomy.
Common reasons include:
Sometimes your surgeon plans the ostomy ahead of time. Other times, it happens during emergency surgery.
Not all ostomies are permanent. Some are temporary. Surgeons make temporary ostomies so the bowel can rest and heal after surgery, infection or injury. After healing, it might be possible to reverse the ostomy.
Other ostomies are permanent. This usually happens when part of the rectum, anus or bladder needs to be removed and cannot be reconnected safely.
Your surgeon will explain your situation clearly and honestly. At Banner Health, we help you understand your long-term plan from the start.
If your surgery is planned, preparations help you feel more confident. Before surgery, you may:
Your WOC nurse specializes in treating skin issues, including unhealed and chronic wounds, ostomies and ulcers. They, along with your care team, will teach you how to care for your ostomy. They will show you how to attach, empty and change the pouch. Doing these steps can help prevent leaks and skin problems later.
Ostomy surgery can be done with an open procedure or with less invasive methods like laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Your surgeon will remove or repair the damaged part of your bowel or bladder. Then they will create a stoma and attach it to your belly. This surgery can take several hours, depending on your condition.
Recovery will take some time. Most people stay in the hospital for a few days.
Right after surgery, you might see pink or red swelling around the stoma. You may also notice drainage into the pouch and some soreness in your belly. Your care team will help you manage pain, keep an eye on your stoma, teach you how to empty and change your pouch and show you how to care for your skin.
Before going home, you'll practice caring for your pouch with help from your WOC nurse. They will make sure you're comfortable doing it on your own.
Most people recover well after ostomy surgery. However, as with any surgery, there can be risks or complications. These include:
Call your care team if you have a fever, severe pain, no output from your stoma, heavy bleeding or if your stoma looks pale, dark or black.
It's normal to worry about how an ostomy will change your daily life. You might wonder if you can go back to work, exercise or travel. For most people, the answer is yes. With the right pouching system and advice from your care team, many can play sports, travel and enjoy intimate relationships.
You may need to make small changes. For example, some foods can cause gas or odor. Your care team will give you tips about diet and hydration. If you have an ileostomy, it's very important to stay hydrated because your body absorbs less water.
A reversal of an ostomy is surgery that reconnects your bowel so waste leaves your body normally again. Not everyone can have this surgery. If your ostomy was meant to be temporary, your surgeon will monitor your healing. When it’s safe, they might suggest a reversal.
Some reversals happen a few months after the first surgery. Others take longer. Before the reversal, your surgeon may order imaging scans, a colonoscopy and blood tests to make sure your bowel is healed and strong enough to reconnect.
During reversal surgery, your surgeon removes the stoma, reconnects the two ends of your bowel and closes the opening in your abdomen.
This surgery is easier than the first one but it is still a major operation. You might need to stay in the hospital for several days so your bowel can “wake up” and start working again.
After surgery, your bowel might not work the same right away. You could have frequent trips to the bathroom, loose stools, urgency to go and small leaks. These problems often get better with time. Your care team will follow you closely after the surgery to make sure you are healing well.
They might suggest:
Like ostomy surgery, a reversal is also an operation and carries some risks. These may include:
After ostomy surgery or reversal, call your health care provider if you notice:
Do not wait if something feels wrong. Early care can prevent bigger problems.
You're not alone on this journey. Our care team includes experienced surgeons specializing in colorectal and general surgery. We also offer gentle, minimally invasive treatments, certified wound and ostomy nurses, personalized education before and after surgery and access to support services and counseling.
We care about more than just surgery. We care about your whole life. Whether you need a temporary or permanent ostomy or are considering reversing an ostomy, we will support you every step of the way.
Make an appointment for a consultation with a Banner Health provider to learn about your options and create a plan that works for you.
Sign in to Patient Account
