What is a stoma?

What is a stoma? and other questions I’ve been asked…

A stoma or ostomy is a surgically created opening on the surface of the abdomen that can be connected to either the digestive or urinary system.

Its function is to divert waste urine or faeces out of the body.

Someone who has had stoma surgery may be referred to as an ‘Ostomate’

Since becoming an ostomate I have found there is a curiosity and intrigue about what my stoma is.  I have been asked more questions on holiday than at any other time and this is partly because I wear a bikini usually with a pouch cover over my bag.

This has generated some interesting conversations and questions…

Often, I find strangers feel happier asking me about my stoma than perhaps a relative or friend that they know who has one because they don’t know how to approach the topic.

What is it? Is it a mobile phone holder?

This was one of the first questions I encountered whilst wearing a bikini.

Does it hurt?

No, a stoma doesn’t have any nerve endings

Am I Happy?

Yes I am happy, my stoma has been a positive life-enhancing experience as it has given me back freedom and enabled me to have a better quality of life.

This was in response to someone who knew what a stoma was but had never seen one in real life.