What is an Ileostomy?

An ileostomy is part of you. An ileostomy is usually formed because the colon (the large bowel) needs to be removed or there is a need to stop waste matter going through your bowel for some time. This is usually done because there is chronic disease within the large bowel, or because of trauma to the abdomen.

After an operation, waste is diverted from its usual route and passes out into a bag on your abdomen through the ileostomy. This means you will no longer sit on the toilet to open your bowels as your bowel motions and any wind will pass into the bag. The consistency of the motion will be a mixture of bowel liquid and semi-solid motion with some wind. However, you will still be able to pass urine in the normal way.

Your ileostomy will be on your abdomen, usually on the right of your belly button. Its size and shape will vary, but within a month or two it should be about the size of a 50p piece or smaller. Its normal colour is pinkish red and it may not be round. An ileostomy is similar to a colostomy.

It is usually referred to as a stoma - it will always be moist and may bleed if touched, and is similar to the inside of your mouth. It will protrude a few centimetres from your abdomen