How A Colostomy Is Done

What happens during a colostomy

During colostomy surgery, part of your large bowel (colon) is separated from the rest of your bowel and brought outside the body, through an opening made in your tummy (stoma).

Sometimes, part or your large bowel may also need to be removed.

There are 2 main ways colostomy surgery can be done:

• laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, where a few small cuts (incisions) are made in your tummy
• open surgery, where a single larger cut is made in your tummy

Both are done using a general anaesthetic, so you'll be asleep during the operation and will not feel any pain.

Types of colostomy

Loop colostomy

• The surgeon makes a small cut (incision) in your tummy, to make an opening for your large bowel (colon) to pass through.
• They pull a loop of colon through the opening in your tummy and hold it in place.
• They cut the loop open and stitch it to your skin, making 2 openings that are joined together at the base.
• Poo leaves your body through the stoma.
• A sticky white or yellow mucus might come out of your bottom sometimes, which is normal.
• A loop colostomy is usually temporary, and your colon is not usually removed.

End colostomy

• The surgeon makes a small cut (incision) to make an opening for your large bowel (colon) to pass through.
• They pull one end of your colon through the opening in your tummy and stitch it to your skin.
• Poo leaves your body through the stoma.
• A sticky white or yellow mucus might come out of your bottom sometimes, which is normal.
• An end colostomy can be temporary or permanent, and some or all of your colon might be removed.

After the operation

After the operation, you'll have a stoma bag attached to your tummy. Your tummy may feel bloated and sore. Ask for painkillers if you need them.

You'll usually stay in hospital for around 2 to 7 days.

Your stoma nurse will make sure you're comfortable wearing and changing your stoma bag before you go home.

Colostomy reversal

If you have a temporary colostomy, it's possible to have it reversed with further surgery. Reversals usually happen for loop colostomies that have been done in an emergency.

A reversal involves reconnecting your large bowel and closing the opening in your tummy. After a reversal you will poo from your bottom and will no longer need a stoma bag.

It's not always possible to reverse a colostomy.

Speak to your doctor about whether a reversal is an option for you.

Find out more about stoma reversal on the Colostomy UK website

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