One Piece Ostomy Bag

A: You will need to empty it when it is about 1/3 full, and change it about every 2 to 4 days, or as often as your nurse tells you. After some practice, changing your pouch will get easier.

A: Your stoma nurse will give you advice about how soon you can go back to normal activities. At first you will pass wind through your stoma and then, usually within 2 or 3 days, you poo through it. This should start to improve as your bowel recovers from the effects of the operation.

A: Most people will be able to feel their bowels move and know when poop is about to come out. But you won't be able to control it anymore. Unlike your anus, your stoma doesn't have a muscle system that allows you to close it at will. So, pooping won't be the intentional action that it used to be.

A: You do not need to push or strain; the poo will go into your bag when your bowel is ready to empty. This will happen once or twice a day. Any farts that you need to pass will also go into the bag as they will not be able to come out of your bottom anymore.

A: Many people worry that their colostomy will give off a smell that others will notice. All modern appliances have air filters with charcoal in them, which neutralises the smell.