If you’ve recently learned that you or someone you care about needs a stoma, the terminology alone can feel overwhelming. A stoma is not a disease — it’s a surgically created opening that helps the body do what it normally would, just through a different route. Understanding what it is and how it works can take much of the mystery out of the situation.
Surgical opening: In abdomen for waste · Diverts: Faeces or urine · Types include: Ileostomy, colostomy · Bag collects: Body waste · Created when: Pathway blocked
Quick snapshot
- A stoma diverts waste via the abdomen — Cleveland Clinic
- Healthy stomas are pink or red — AAFP
- Exact prevalence rates for stoma surgery in the general population
- Long-term complication rates vary by individual health factors
- Post-surgery swelling resolves over several weeks — MedlinePlus
- Diet normalization typically occurs by weeks 4–6 — Coloplast
- WOC nurse guides hospital training — MSKCC
- Follow-up appointments ensure proper pouch fit — My Health Alberta
The table below consolidates key stoma facts for quick reference.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Definition | Surgical opening in abdomen |
| Purpose | Divert faeces or urine |
| Permanence | Temporary or permanent |
| Collection | External bag |
| Stoma appearance | Pink or red (healthy) |
| Pouch change | Every 3–5 days |
| Pouch empty | When ⅓ to ½ full |
| Hospital stay | Few days |
Why do people get a stoma?
A stoma becomes necessary when the normal route for waste to leave the body is blocked or needs to be bypassed. This can happen due to several medical conditions, and the surgery is designed to restore quality of life rather than cure an underlying disease.
Common medical conditions
Blockages in the digestive or urinary tracts are the primary reasons someone might need a stoma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, conditions that may lead to ostomy surgery include cancer of the colon or rectum, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and traumatic injuries to the bowel or bladder. Diverticular disease, when pouches in the colon become infected or inflamed, can also require temporary diversion to allow healing.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes that ostomies can be either temporary — for conditions like perineal surgery recovery or diverticular disease — or permanent when cancer or advanced IBD has necessitated removal of portions of the bowel.
Surgical reasons
The goal of stoma surgery is not to remove normal bodily function but to redirect it. When part of the intestine or urinary system must be removed or rested, the surgeon creates an opening in the abdomen so waste can be collected in an external pouch. As explained by Cleveland Clinic, the procedure is considered a reconstruction, not a failure — it restores the body’s ability to eliminate waste when the normal pathway is no longer viable.
The implication is that patients should view stoma surgery as a restorative procedure that maintains quality of life rather than a sign of disease progression.
What is an ileostomy?
An ileostomy is a specific type of stoma created from the ileum — the final section of the small intestine. This is one of the most common ostomy procedures, and it has particular characteristics that affect daily care routines.
Ileostomy vs other types
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) explains that ileostomies produce liquid or loose stool because the large intestine, which absorbs water, is bypassed. This has practical implications: the pouch must remain in place during showering, and output tends to be more frequent than with colostomies. In contrast, a colostomy — created from the large intestine — produces pastier stool, and output frequency varies depending on which part of the colon was used.
- Ileostomy: Small intestine, liquid output, requires constant pouch wear
- Colostomy: Large intestine, pastier output, may allow less frequent pouching
- Urostomy: Urinary diversion, collects urine rather than stool
Procedure details
The stoma itself has no nerve endings, so it does not register pain sensations. According to UMass Memorial Health, the stoma may bleed slightly from tiny surface vessels during cleaning — this is normal. What matters is monitoring the stoma’s color: a healthy ileostomy should appear pink or red, as noted by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). If the stoma turns blue, purple, or black, or if it becomes increasingly tender, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
The Cleveland Clinic emphasizes examining your stoma daily for changes in size, shape, color, or swelling — these visual checks are your primary early warning system.
The pattern is that color changes in a stoma require immediate medical evaluation, making daily self-checks essential for early problem detection.
Is a stoma the same as a colostomy bag?
This is one of the most common points of confusion, and the distinction is important: the stoma is the surgically created opening itself, while the bag (or pouching system) is the device that collects waste exiting through that opening. They are two separate but connected components of ostomy care.
Stoma vs bag distinction
Think of it this way: the stoma is like a doorway, and the bag is the collection container positioned at that doorway. MSKCC describes pouching systems as either 1-piece — where the pouch is attached permanently to the skin barrier — or 2-piece, where the pouch detaches from the barrier for easier emptying or changes. Both types are waterproof and odor-proof when properly sealed.
Colostomy specifics
A colostomy specifically refers to a stoma created from the colon (large intestine). The output is typically firmer than ileostomy output because the colon has absorbed much of the water content. Cancer.ie notes that colostomies can be positioned on different sections of the colon — transverse, descending, or sigmoid — and the location affects output consistency and management. A transverse colostomy tends to produce more liquid output, while a sigmoid colostomy produces the most formed stool.
All pouching systems are waterproof and odor-proof when sealed correctly, as stated by MSKCC Patient Education — the pouch type matters less for odor than the quality of the seal.
What this means is that investing time in achieving a proper seal pays dividends in leak prevention and skin protection regardless of which pouching system you choose.
Can you still poop if you have a stoma bag?
Yes — and this is one of the most frequently asked questions for good reason. Having a stoma does not mean bowel function stops. It means that function has been rerouted through the abdomen rather than through the rectum.
Output process
Waste still forms in the digestive tract, but instead of traveling through the colon and out the rectum, it exits through the stoma into the pouching system attached to your abdomen. According to Healthdirect (Australian government health service), the stoma is a small opening that allows waste to be removed directly into a collection bag. With an ileostomy, output is continuous because the small intestine cannot store waste the way the colon does. With a colostomy, you may have more predictable output patterns depending on which part of the colon was used.
Bag management
Empty the pouch when it’s one-third to one-half full to prevent leakage and bulging, recommends MSKCC. Most people empty their pouch 1–3 times daily. Change the entire pouching system every 3–5 days, or immediately if leakage occurs — the Cleveland Clinic notes some people change every 2–4 days or 3–7 days depending on their system and skin sensitivity.
Per the Coloplast patient resources, food blockage warning signs include cramping, pain, watery stool, and a swollen abdomen or stoma area. If these occur, drink water and liquids for 24 hours and seek medical help if symptoms persist.
The implication is that timing your pouch emptying and changes proactively prevents emergencies rather than reacting to problems after they start.
Do stoma bags smell?
Modern pouching systems are designed to be odor-proof when properly sealed, but odor can become noticeable if the system is leaking, if the pouch isn’t emptied regularly, or if certain foods produce gas. Managing odor is one of the most common practical concerns for new ostomy patients, and there are effective strategies.
Odour control
Pouches are specifically engineered to contain odors — the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center states that all pouching systems are waterproof and odor-proof unless leaking. Odor control products include pouch deodorants (drops, charcoal filters, or gels placed inside the pouch) and oral deodorants that reduce gas, though the Mayo Clinic advises checking with your healthcare provider before using oral products.
Common concerns
Certain foods are known to produce more gas and odor: beans, cabbage, onions, eggs, and carbonated beverages are common culprits. Gas buildup can cause ballooning — when the pouch inflates. Per Coloplast, ballooning is managed by releasing the gas through the filter or vent, or by changing the pouch or filter if it becomes blocked.
Colostomy UK guidance confirms that with proper care and a well-fitted pouching system, odor should not be noticeable to others. The key is regular emptying, good seal maintenance, and knowing which foods affect your individual output.
What this means is that most odor concerns stem from user technique rather than equipment failure, giving patients substantial control over this aspect of daily life.
The United Ostomy Associations of America published an updated patient guide in 2024 offering comprehensive daily living advice for people with all types of stomas.
“All pouching systems are waterproof and odor-proof.”
— Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Care Education
“Healthy stomas are pink or red and often have a somewhat raw or abraded appearance.”
Related reading: Pins and Needles in Left Arm · How Long Does an MRI Take
Frequently asked questions
Do you still fart with a stoma bag?
Yes, gas still forms in the digestive tract and will exit through the stoma. Pouches have filters or vents to release gas, though this may produce some noise. Gas-producing foods affect output similarly to how they affect people without stomas.
What is a stoma bag used for?
A stoma bag collects waste that exits the body through the surgical opening in the abdomen. It attaches to the skin around the stoma and provides a secure, odor-proof container for stool or urine, depending on the type of ostomy.
What is a stoma and is it permanent?
A stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that diverts waste. It can be temporary (allowing a section of bowel to heal) or permanent (when that portion of the digestive tract has been removed). The AAFP notes that temporary ostomies are common for diverticular disease or perineal surgery recovery.
What is stoma disease?
“Stoma disease” is not a standard medical term. Patients may be referring to peristomal skin complications, stoma retraction (where the stoma pulls below skin level), or stoma prolapse (where the intestine protrudes through the opening). These complications should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
What is a stoma tracheostomy?
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening in the windpipe (trachea) to assist with breathing, completely separate from a stoma used for waste diversion. It is sometimes called a trach. The confusion arises because both are called “stomas” in a general anatomical sense, but they serve entirely different purposes.
Do you still poo if you have a stoma?
Yes, stool still forms and exits — but through the stoma into the pouching system rather than through the rectum. With an ileostomy, output is liquid and continuous; with a colostomy, output is typically firmer and may be more predictable.
Can you smell if someone has a colostomy bag?
In most cases, no. Modern pouching systems are designed to contain odors completely when properly sealed. Odor becomes noticeable only if the pouch is leaking, not emptied frequently enough, or if a seal has failed. MSKCC confirms that all waterproof, odor-proof pouches work effectively when correctly fitted.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.