You don't necessarily have to be concerned about your stoma changing in shape or size. For example, it is perfectly normal for your stoma to be swollen the first few weeks after your surgery.
You may also notice your stoma move slightly or change in size when you stand up or cough, causing your stomach muscles to tighten, this is perfectly normal.
When to contact your ostomy nurse
If you experience a persistent change in size or length to your stoma you should contact your ostomy nurse or health care provider. If you experience a persistent change in size or length to your stoma or notice a bulge around the area where your stoma is located, contact your ET Nurse or healthcare provider.
You should also contact your ostomy nurse if you notice a bulge around the area where your stoma is located. These types of changes need to be addressed and they could also cause your barrier to not fit properly, causing leakage and skin irritation.
What can cause changes to the stoma?
Changes to your stoma can be related to weight gain or weight loss, but age can also be a factor when skin and muscles start to lose strength.
To make sure that the pouching system you use always matches your body profile, a BodyCheck can assist with determining your body type by answering 8 simple questions. Click below:
