Have you noticed that your stoma no longer seems to sit as proudly above your skin as it used to? Perhaps it looks flatter, has started pulling inward, or you are suddenly dealing with leaks that were not a problem before. It is completely understandable to feel worried when your stoma changes appearance. A retracted

You check your stoma bag and suddenly notice it has puffed up like a small balloon. Your first thought might be, “Is something wrong?” Or perhaps you’re worried it could leak, come loose, or become noticeable under your clothes. If you’ve experienced ostomy bag ballooning, you’re certainly not alone. A stoma bag can fill with

Waking up and wondering, “Has my stoma bag leaked?” can make bedtime feel stressful. Instead of relaxing into sleep, you may find yourself checking your pouch, worrying about your sheets, or waking several times during the night. If you experience ostomy bag leaks while sleeping, you are certainly not alone. Night-time leakage can happen for

There’s a particular kind of worry that comes with noticing a damp patch under your clothes. Is the stoma bag leaking? Has the seal lifted? Will anyone else notice? If you’ve experienced ostomy bag leaks, you’re certainly not alone. Leakage can be frustrating, uncomfortable and stressful, especially when it happens away from home. The good

There are few things more frustrating than changing your stoma bag and noticing that the skin underneath is red, sore or uncomfortable. You may start wondering whether you have done something wrong, whether the bag is causing the problem, or whether the irritation will keep coming back. The good news is that skin irritation around

You notice something looks different when you change your stoma bag. Maybe your stoma seems a little swollen, the skin around it is sore, or there is more leakage than usual. And suddenly, one question starts running through your mind: “Is this normal, or should I be worried?” It is a very common concern. Having

The first time you look closely at your stoma, it can be difficult not to wonder, “Does this actually look normal?” A change in colour, a little blood during cleaning, or a difference in shape can be surprisingly worrying — especially when you are still getting used to your body. The good news is that

You notice something looks different when you change your stoma bag. Perhaps there is a little more blood than usual, your skin is suddenly sore, or your stoma seems swollen. Your first thought may be, “Is this normal, or should I be worried?” It is completely understandable to feel uncertain. After stoma surgery, you become

If you have recently been told you need a stoma, it is completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by the terminology. Words like colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy can sound complicated at first — especially when you are already trying to take in a lot of new information. The reassuring part is that the names mainly tell

Finding out that you may need a stoma can bring a lot of questions at once. You might wonder what your body will look like, whether you will still be able to leave the house normally, or how you will manage a stoma bag every day. If you feel nervous or overwhelmed, you are not