Maybe you've heard of an ostomy, or even know someone who has had the procedure done, but it's hard to know exactly what an ostomy is. Ostomies can be very important and maybe even a life-saving procedure. 

What Is an Ostomy?

An ostomy is a surgical procedure that occurs when a surgeon creates a stoma on the stomach so that bodily waste can travel to where it's supposed to in the body. A stoma is a prosthetic pouch or bag that can be placed on the outside of the body or surgically placed inside the body. There are a few different types of ostomy surgeries. 

Ostomy Types

Depending on where the stoma is needed, or the part of the body affected, there can be different ostomy procedures. All types of ostomies can be permanent or temporary as it is possible to reverse the procedure. 

Colostomy

A colostomy occurs when an opening is created in the stomach for the colon or large intestine. During a colostomy, the colon is either brought up to the opening or stoma, in the stomach or the colon can be brought through the abdomen wall to create the stoma in the stomach.

Urostomy

Urostomies are common when one's bladder becomes diseased or unable to pass urine. This procedure involves taking a section of the small bowel or large intestine out to create a path for the urine to get from the kidneys to the outside of the body.

Ileostomy

An ileostomy occurs when the part of the small intestine, or ileum, is taken and connected to the abdominal wall to create a stoma for foods to pass through. 

Ostomy Supplies

There can be a lot of supplies needed to keep up with the care of a stoma after an ostomy. 

Those supplies can include:

• Drainable pouch
• Wipes
• Spray
• Barrier strips
• Pills
• Filters
• Stoma caps
• Pouch covers
• Pouch lubricant

Why Get an Ostomy?

There are many health-related reasons as to why someone would need to get an ostomy.

Those reasons can include:

• Imperforate anus
• Infections
• Colon or rectum injury
• Intestinal or bowel blockage
• Colon cancer
• Fistulas

Not all medical reasons require a permanent ostomy. There are issues that require a temporary ostomy so another part of the body can heal. 

Risks of an Ostomy

With any procedure, there do come risks. 

Risks of an ostomy can include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Skin irritation
• Hernias
• Damage to other organs 

Risks should always be discussed with your doctor beforehand to ensure that you are aware of anything that may happen.