[fusion_dropcap]T[/fusion_dropcap]he days after stoma surgery will be challenging and it will take a short time to adjust. You will have a pouch attached to your abdomen and will learn lots of new things about caring for your stoma. Your Stomal Therapy Nurse will be your main point of contact and will teach you how and when to empty or change your pouch, how to care for your skin, and where to get your ostomy supplies.
What will my stoma look like?
Stomas do vary in size and shape from person to person. It will be shiny, wet and red, much like the inside of your mouth. You can expect it be swollen after surgery but the swelling will go down in time and your stoma may get smaller.
A stoma is not sensitive to the touch but may bleed slightly if irritated or rubbed. This bleeding is normal but if it continues or if you see blood in your stool, contact your doctor. •
The skin around your stoma (called the peristomal skin) should look and feel like the rest of the skin on your belly. It is important to keep stool off your skin to help prevent skin irritation
