Stoma Stories

Living With A Stoma

What’s Normal,
What’s Not

Customa is a purpose-built team focused on helping ostomates feel more comfortable, confident, and in control. No one should live with constant worry about leaks or discomfort from one-size-fits-all cutouts. By pairing innovative technology with a compassionate, patient-first approach, we create practical solutions that fit you—not the other way around.

Ileostomy, Drains from the small intestine.
Colostomy, Drains from the large intestine.
Urostomy, Drains urine from the urinary tract, usually being a permanent procedure.

[5][6]

Day 1–Week 1: Care, Rest, Recover

Stoma surgery is commonly known and statistically considered a safe procedure with complications being a dependent variable of as low as 20% [4]. Around 50,000 Australians have undergone stoma surgery and are currently living with it today [3]. The area can be swollen, tender, and uncomfortable. Be gracious with yourself: caring for your stoma can feel challenging at first, but as you recover and regain strength it becomes quicker and easier. In most instances, a stomal therapy nurse supports you closely during the first few days after surgery, helping with cleaning, fitting, and equipment choices. This support usually continues through the first few weeks as you adjust to a routine, with follow-up appointments or check-ins over the following months to make sure you feel confident managing on your own. Keep the peristomal skin clean and dry, check fit regularly as swelling settles, and note where any seepage starts so you can adjust[1] Choose loose, comfortable clothing that won’t put tension on your wound while it heals.

Although most of your time will be rest and recovery, gentle movement helps. Get up often and take short walks indoors or in the garden to support circulation and reduce pelvic/leg swelling or discomfort. [2] Avoid anything that strains your abdomen.

For eating, start with smaller, more frequent meals and gradually expand. This steadies bowel habits and helps you learn the timing of bag changes. Aim for balanced meals, chew well, and avoid very large portions. Some foods can be harder to digest—like nuts, fruit/vegetable skins, and corn—so you may wish to limit them at first. Most people return to their usual diet over time; if unsure, talk to your doctor or stomal therapy nurse (they can refer you to a dietitian). [1]

Expect ups and downs. Early progress often feels like two steps forward, one step back. Feeling tearful, irritable, or on edge is common after surgery. Talking openly with loved ones can reduce anxiety and help you process what you’re experiencing.

In the United States over 500,000 people in the U.S. have a stoma, with roughly 150,000 new intestinal stomas created each year.

[4]

Weeks 2 – 6, Trial, Error and Routine

With the toughest week behind you, you’re on an upward trend. You’ll start to rebuild everyday activities and shape a stoma-care routine, while keeping life gentle as you adjust. The priority is protecting peristomal skin and learning what a good seal feels like—the skin barrier should sit comfortably and keep output off the skin. If you notice itchiness, redness, or soreness, that’s useful feedback that output may be reaching the skin and the fit, size, or timing of changes might need a tweak; if it keeps happening, loop in your stoma nurse. It’s also normal for changes to take longer at this stage. Preparation and a calm sequence (clean, dry, snug outline) will build comfort and confidence over time. [1]

Activities to avoid (early weeks): to reduce hernia risk and discomfort, steer clear of heavy or strain-inducing tasks such as mowing, pushing a pram/pushchair or supermarket trolley, digging, lifting heavy items, moving furniture, or vigorous vacuuming. Seek guidance from your stoma nurse/clinical team, and check your insurer’s requirements after abdominal surgery.

1. Ostomates cannot travel on a plane.

2. A stoma is a sign of a disability.

3. Odour is a part of having a stoma.

4. Having a stoma means following a strict diet.

[7]

1. Most people with stomas can travel freely.

2. Many people with stomas live fulfilling, normal lives.

3. It can take time to feel confident with your stoma pouch, but most come with charcoal filters that control gas and odour. Odours stay contained, so others won’t notice. If you’re worried about smell during changes, a small room freshener can help.

4. After surgery, you may be more sensitive to certain foods. Reintroduce them slowly and notice how your body reacts to see what works best. In most cases people have a very balanced day-to-day diet.

Weeks 6 – 12, Settling Into a Rhythm

Around this time, many people feel the routine starting to settle. The stoma’s size and shape are usually less puffy, so your cut size becomes more consistent and changes feel quicker and calmer. Aim for peristomal skin that looks and feels like the rest of your tummy; everyone heals differently, so keep listening to your body and follow your clinical team’s advice.

Day-to-day life also opens up again. Many people are back to their usual meals (keep chewing well, hydrate, and note any personal trigger foods), and gentle exercise feels easier—add intensity gradually and stay hernia-aware until you’re medically cleared. Work, social plans, and travel are all possible with a little prep: carry a small change kit, know where you can change if you’re out, and re-measure if your body or routine changes. A simple note of wear times and any “lift” spots can help you fine-tune comfort. If you ever notice severe pain, fever, the stoma turning very dark, or big, persistent changes in output, contact your nurse or doctor promptly.

Healing, Learning & Finding Your Routine

In short, the first three months are about healing, learning, and gradually finding your rhythm. Early on, keep things gentle—protect your peristomal skin, size and fit regularly, eat small balanced meals, and move a little each day. Weeks 2–6 are for trial and tweak: build a calm change routine, watch for redness or itching as signs the fit needs adjusting, and avoid heavy strain while you regain confidence. By weeks 6–12, most people feel more settled—cuts are more consistent, changes are quicker, and everyday life opens up again. If something doesn’t feel right, check in with your stoma nurse—and if it helps, re-scan for a fresh template or practice on a 3D model to fine-tune your setup.