Adjusting to Life With a Colostomy Bag: What To Expect

Having acolostomyis a big decision — not only because it’s a major surgery, but also because it will bring some changes to your life, including having a stoma bag after surgery.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyFor many people, having a bag or pouch attached to their body is a huge emotional adjustment. It might feel odd or even scary at first. Those are completely normal feelings, reassures colorectal surgeon Joseph Trunzo, MD. But it’s important to know that you can still be active, wear fashionable clothes and live a happy, full life with a stoma bag.An awkward subjectSome people only need stoma bags (also known as ileostomy, colostomy or ostomy bags) temporarily — usually for three to nine months while recovering from intestinal surgery. But if you have a condition likeCrohn’s or ulcerative colitis, or are living with the sometim...