Stomas come in all different shapes and sizes, and normally protrude a little. Some people will have more than one stoma, depending on their condition.
Where does it sit?
If you have a urostomy or an ileostomy the stoma is usually created on the right-hand side of your abdomen, while a colostomy is usually created on the left-hand side of your abdomen.
Be sure to discuss the exact stoma location with your Stomal Therapy Nurse, as it is important that the stoma location is adjusted to your body and your life if at all possible, not the other way around.
What will it look and feel like?
The stoma will be bright red and may be level with your abdomen, slightly below or protruding above it. The stoma does not have any sensitive nerves so it won’t be sore. It will feel like the tissue on inside of the mouth when you touch it – soft and moist. The area around the stoma may have dips, creases or folds.
Changes over time
Your body changes over time and so will your ostomy. Exercising, losing or gaining weight may influence the shape of your stoma as well as the area around your stoma. Some people may also develop an outward bulge. The size of the bulge varies from person to person. If you develop a bulge you may need to use supporting products or a different type of appliance that is more suited to your body profile.
If a bulge appears or you have doubts about the appearance of your stoma or the area around it, you should contact your ostomy care nurse.
Will it hurt?
The stoma can bleed a little when being cleaned, especially in the beginning but this is quite normal and should stop shortly afterwards. After surgery, your stoma may be swollen to begin with, but should reduce in size over some weeks.
Will it smell?
A stoma should not smell as long as your ostomy bag has a good fit.
